NON-AFRICAN PROSE
GEORGE ELIOT: Scilas Manner
Discuss the theme of betrayal in the novel.
Explanation
Rukeme is a teacher in St. Martins Mission School, Urukpe. He is the son of Udefe Rukeme a rubber farmer whose Dlantation is next to Oshevire’s. Rukeme’s father Udefe stole latex from Oshevire’s farm and the theft was reported to Tle Otota. To avenge his father’s humiliation, he agrees to bear false witness against Oshevire. He acts as a front for Chief Toje who pays him in cash for the job. Rukeme ends up being an inconsistent witness. He mixes up details in the memorandum when cross examined. He serves as the major tool used by Toje to keep Oshevire in detention for the length of time he does.
Rukeme’s witnessing against Oshevire portrays him as being very vengeful. He is a liar who wickedly agrees to arnish the reputation of an innocent man. Rukeme serves as a foil to Oshevire’s character. Whereas Oshevire sees his last duty as honesty integrity and obeying the voice of conscience, Rukeme has no qualms in helping to indict a clearly innocent man. Rukeme’s behaviour is an indication of the moral decadence which is the hallmark of a society such as theirs embroiled in war. It is a sad indictment on the absence of honesty and integrity. Rukeme also accentuates the atmosphere the insecurity pervading the society.
Here a man can be locked up on spurious charges and made to face false accusations without anyone seeing anything wrong with this. The reconciliation between Oshevire and Rukeme resulting from Rukeme’s apology is a vindication of Oshevire’s stand in refusing to succumb to the pressures of the society.
The theme of betrayal in Silas Marner is revealed through some relationships. Both in Lantern Yard and Raveloe, friendship and trust are betrayed under various conditions. These instances of betrayal immensely enhance the plot. Silas Marner’s experience of betrayal in Lantern Yard is lumped together as his reason for leaving the town. While there, Silas is an ardent member of the church assembly. He has absolute faith in God and trusts his friend William Dane completely. His engagement to Sarah is known to and approved by the church. Sarah and William, however, betray Silas, and in his view, God betrays Silas as well. By the nature of Silas’s simple faith in God and trust in man, the effect of this betrayal is devastating. Silas is epileptic, He has an attack in church.
The congregation is prepared to put it down to a divine visitation. Nilliam bitterly opposes this interpretation and bitingly suggests that it is more likely to be a result of satan’s hold on Silas. William steals church money and has Silas accused of it. He takes Silas’s Sarah and marries her as well. -leading to William, Sarah betrays Silas by leaving the poor weaver in the lurch. When the lot cast shows that Silas is the thief, he is naturally beside himself with bitterness against this ‘God of lies’ who, he believed, will “clear” him. In despair, Silas relocates to Raveloe.
In Raveloe, the spotlight is on Godfrey Cass. By his concealing his secret marriage to Molly Farren, and also his fatherhood of Eppie, Godfrey betrays the love of Nancy. Godfrey betrays his own family and their status by marrying Molly. By his neglect of Molly, Godfrey betrays Molly and the Farren family. This betrayal is added to by Godfrey’s not owning up as Eppie father when Silas take the child to the Red House. In succumbing to Dunstan’s threats and not being open in his management of the estate, he betrays Squire Cass’s trust as well.