The Simple Life of Silas MarnerThe life that could be lived in a village in 1861, so close to the time of the industrial revolution, is a simple life. People of that era were simple-minded and cared most about their work. They don't understand much about their religion, as the novel illustrates. We have seen that when Mrs. Winthrop talks about it, she does not understand much of what she hears or reads in Sunday services, but she nevertheless believes, because her heart is relieved, in what she says. When Henry Austen analyzes George Eliot's description of the villagers, he says: But at the same time as she continues to mock the cowardly habits and trivial minds of the villagers, George Eliot also begins to show them in a more flattering light . [229] From Henry's analysis, it is clear that Eliot views the villagers as simple-minded people. They are also superstitious and think he is some kind of witch. This is why they do not accept Silas when he first comes. Add to that the fact that he was different from them and behaved strangely, and that he was a stranger to their rural community. His stolen money, however, makes them sympathize with him. Then, his welcome to Eppie allowed them not to be afraid of him and to accept him as a member. Other inclinations to this aspect will be developed in the following: The community remains essentially the same, but the author now offers it the opportunity to demonstrate its humanity, its good will and its potential for authentic sociability, which serve to soften , or even to erase. , our awareness of its crudeness. [Austen, Henry. 230] Even if this community is simple and full of superstitions, it remains warm and full of love..