Final answer:
In George Eliot's novel Silas Marner, the golden-haired child Eppie becomes a symbolic replacement for the gold Silas had lost. Eppie represents love, happiness, and wealth in Silas's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Silas Marner by George Eliot, the symbolic replacement for the gold Silas had lost is the golden-haired child Eppie. After Silas loses his gold, he finds and adopts Eppie, who becomes his source of love, happiness, and wealth. Eppie symbolizes a new beginning and the transformation of Silas's life.