Silas moves to Raveloe- Chapter 1

Intro

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When the novel opens, S has been living in R for 15 years
Weaver
Outside the village of Raveloe
His work makes him different from the farming community
Raveloe- remote village where everyone is suspicious of newcomers- especially when they do an unusual job like weaving+ have an unfortunate appearance
S chooses to live alone+ at a distance from people

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Lives alone because was falsely accused of theft by his best friend, William Dane
Church money had been stolen from the house of a dying member of the strict Christian group, meeting in Lantern Yard
William- a young weaver of S's age; Jealous of S
Had feelings for Sarah- the servant to whom S was engaged
S is highly respected by other members of their religious group- good life
The cataleptic fits S suffered have a religious significance
S went rigid+ into a kind of trance, but remained upright
Watched over a dying leader of the church
W, who should have watched later, had seized this chance to steal the money
Accused S of theft+ married S himself
W planted evidence against S in his room+ managed to fix the drawing of lots- 'proved' S guilty+ expelled him from the church

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S decided that God couldn't exist
Lives only for his work+ the money it brings
Flashback- S was once very different
Earlier trusting+ generous personality contrasted with his present character
S's continued unfriendliness+ refusal to help others with herbal cures combine to keep the superstitious villagers continually distant+ afraid, despite S's growing wealth
The villagers' old-fashioned beliefs haven't yet been changed by new ideas+ inventions
Avoid/ fear S
Due to Raveloe's isolated position
A sense of community/ belonging
E shows how religion affected people both in the town+ the country
S visits neither the church nor the pub, where the community meet
Refuses, through his unfriendly behaviour, to become part of the village
The villagers' primitive sense of community makes them suspect+ fear newcomers like Silas

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