Review of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South
If you are a fan of old English romances, then this
book is definitely one you should check out. Take everything you love about
Jane Austen’s novels, add in even stronger male characters and a commentary on
the life of the working man, and you have Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.
The heroine of the story is Margaret Hale, a
headstrong and yet caring young woman who is torn from her lovely and sedate
life in the South of England and tossed into the busy and noisy North by her
father’s religious convictions. After befriending a mill worker’s dying
daughter and making her way through the coal-covered streets of Milton,
Margaret catches the eye of mill master Mr. Thornton. He falls for her and
proposes, but is rejected.
One thing after another throws them together, and
eventually they both feel the attraction growing between them, though
misunderstandings and secrets still keep them apart. When unforeseen
occurrences send Margaret back to London, Mr. Thornton fears he shall never see
her again. However the ending of the book satisfies the romantic in us all.
This wonderful book is also a great mini-series in
the BBC adaptation. The actor that plays Mr. Thornton is the very sexy Richard
Armitage, and even the mill worker is an actor you might recognize from Downton Abby. The beautiful scenery and
great acting make the BBC adaptation a must see accompaniment to this must read
book!
‘Is there necessity for calling it a battle
between the two classes?’ asked Mr. Hale. ‘I know, from your using the term, it is one which gives a true idea of the real state of things to your mind.’
‘It is true; and I believe it to be as much a necessity
as that prudent wisdom and good conduct are always opposed to, and doing battle with ignorance and improvidence. It is one of the great beauties of our system, that a working-man may raise himself into the power and position of a master by his own exertions and behaviour; that, in fact, every one who rules himself to decency and sobriety of conduct, and attention to his duties, comes over to our ranks; it may not be always as a master, but as an over-looker, a cashier, a book-keeper, a clerk, one on the side of authority and order.’
‘You consider all who are unsuccessful in raising
themselves in the world, from whatever cause, as your enemies, then, if I under-stand you rightly,’ said Margaret’ in a clear, cold voice. As their own enemies, certainly,’ said he,
quickly, not a little piqued by the haughty disapproval her form of expression and tone of speaking implied.
But, in a moment, his straightforward honesty made him feel that his words were but a poor and
quibbling answer to what she had said; and, be she as scornful as she liked, it was a duty he owed to himself to explain, as truly as he could, what he did mean. Yet it was very difficult to
separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from his meaning. He could best have illustrated what he wanted to say by telling them something of his own life; but was it not too personal a subject to speak about to strangers? Still, it was the simple straightforward way of explaining his meaning; so, putting aside the touch of shyness that brought a momentary flush of colour into his dark cheek, he said:
quibbling answer to what she had said; and, be she as scornful as she liked, it was a duty he owed to himself to explain, as truly as he could, what he did mean. Yet it was very difficult to
separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from his meaning. He could best have illustrated what he wanted to say by telling them something of his own life; but was it not too personal a subject to speak about to strangers? Still, it was the simple straightforward way of explaining his meaning; so, putting aside the touch of shyness that brought a momentary flush of colour into his dark cheek, he said:
‘I am not speaking without book. Sixteen years
ago, my father died under very miserable circumstances. I was taken from school, and had to become a man (as well as I could) in a few days. I had such a mother as few are blest with; a woman of strong power, and firm resolve. We went into a small country town, where living was cheaper than in Milton, and where I got employment in a draper’s shop (a capital place, by the way, for obtaining a knowledge of goods). Week by week our income came to fifteen shillings, out of which three people had to be kept. My mother managed so that I
put by three out of these fifteen shillings regularly. This made the beginning; this taught me self-denial. Now that I am able to afford my mother such comforts as her age, rather than her own
wish, requires, I thank her silently on each occasion for the early training she gave me. Now when I feel that in my own case it is no good luck, nor merit, nor talent,–but simply the habits of life which taught me to despise indulgences not thoroughly earned,–indeed, never to think twice about them,–I believe that this suffering, which Miss Hale says is impressed on the countenances of the people of Milton, is but the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure, at some former period of their lives. I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my hatred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.’
put by three out of these fifteen shillings regularly. This made the beginning; this taught me self-denial. Now that I am able to afford my mother such comforts as her age, rather than her own
wish, requires, I thank her silently on each occasion for the early training she gave me. Now when I feel that in my own case it is no good luck, nor merit, nor talent,–but simply the habits of life which taught me to despise indulgences not thoroughly earned,–indeed, never to think twice about them,–I believe that this suffering, which Miss Hale says is impressed on the countenances of the people of Milton, is but the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure, at some former period of their lives. I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my hatred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.’
‘But you have had the rudiments of a good education,’
remarked Mr. Hale. ‘The quick zest with which you are now reading Homer, shows me that you do not come to it as an unknown book; you have read it before, and are only recalling your old knowledge.’
‘That is true,–I had blundered along it at school;
I dare say, I was even considered a pretty fair classic in those days, though my Latin and Greek have slipt away from me since. But I ask you, what preparation they were for such a life as I had to lead? None at all. Utterly none at all. On the point of education, any man who can read and write starts fair with me in the amount of really useful knowledge that I had at that time.’
‘Well! I don’t agree with you. But there I am perhaps
somewhat of a pedant. Did not the recollection of the heroic simplicity of the Homeric life nerve you up?’
‘Not one bit!’ exclaimed Mr. Thornton, laughing. ‘I
was too busy to think about any dead people, with the living pressing alongside of me, neck to neck, in the struggle for bread. Now that I have my mother safe in the quiet peace that becomes her age, and duly rewards her former exertions, I can turn to all that old narration and thoroughly enjoy it.’
Author Bio
Heather
Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather
regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations,
branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to hire a nanny by giving advice on site design
as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to
nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at
H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.
