The most important theme in Silas Marner is that of community. The book opens with Marner in the town of Raveloe, we learn early in the book the significance of the town in an individual's life. Your community was your way of life, if the local farmers didn't like you they wouldn't provide you with sustenance. Marner plays a very particular role in Raveloe; He only talks to others when he needs to and has no friends. He keeps to himself and everyone considers him a strange man. Marner has a special skill that makes him very valuable to the community, he is a weaver. This ability makes Marner valuable to the community despite his awkward social tendencies. In the opening chapters of the book it is clear that Marner isolates himself from the Raveloe community. Evidence of such self-isolation is found in this conversation between Marner and Mr. Macy: During this talk Silas remained motionless in his previous attitude, resting his elbows on his knees and pressing his hands against his head. Mr. Macey, not doubting that he had been heard, Fr...