The character in George Eliot's "Silas Marner" views money as a significant representation of worldly success and the main goal of his hard work. In his earlier years, when every coin he earned held a clear purpose, his affection for money was minimal, as he valued the intentions behind his efforts more than the money itself. However, as time passed and those meaningful purposes faded away, his perspective shifted. The habitual focus on accumulating wealth transformed into a deeper attachment to the money itself.

This change suggests that in the absence of purpose, the desire for material wealth can grow stronger. What once represented mere utility became a source of emotional fulfillment for him. The instinct to acquire money, once connected to meaningful goals, developed into something more profound—a fertile ground for unchecked desires to flourish. This shift highlights the complex relationship between money, purpose, and the human spirit throughout the story.