Foil

Character Role Analysis

Silas Marner and Godfrey Cass

Although Godfrey is a good runner-up candidate for protagonist, his role might be better understood as a foil. His narrative arc is similar to Silas's, but his inability to make the right choices turns Silas's redemption inside-out. Where Godfrey rejects his child and his family duties, Silas takes them on. Through Godfrey, we can see more clearly Silas's essential goodness.