Elizabeth Gaskell

First published in 1970, this study demonstrates both the range and essential unity of the works of Mrs. Gaskell. The author analyses the novels of social criticism, the biography of Charlotte Brontë and the novels of country life as distinct expressions of her genius, commenting on recurrent themes, typical methods of presentation and consistent attitudes as they appear in each of the works. The differences of subject and intention between the three kinds of writing will be seen in the extracts which indicate the range of her ability and interests. The final section summarises her range and success and failure. This book will be of interest to students of literature and sociological history.

Table of Important Dates; Preliminary Remarks; Plan of Analysis; Novels of Social Criticism; 1 Mary Barton, ch. 6 2 Mary Barton, ch. 10 3 North and South, ch. 17 4 North and South, ch. 20 5 North and South, ch. 37 7 Ruth, ch. 22 8 Ruth, ch. 32; ‘The Life of Charlotte Brontë’; 1 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 2 2 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 17 3 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 28 4 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 12 5 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 19; Novels of Country Life; 14 Ruth, ch. 23 15 Ruth, ch. 13 16 Cranford, ch I 17 My Lady Ludlow, ch 14 18 Cousin Phillis, part III 19 Wives and Daughters, ch. 6 20 Sylvia’s Lovers, ch. 28; The Challenge of Life; 21 Mary Barton, ch. 3 22 Sylvia’s Lovers, ch. 30 23 Cranford, ch. 14 24 Wives and Daughters, ch. 10 25 The Life of Charlotte Brontë, ch. 16; The Human Response; 26 Mary Barton, ch. 34 27 Mary Barton, ch. 37 28 North and South, ch. 46 29 Wives and Daughters, ch. 44 30 Sylvia’s Lovers, ch. 45; Narrative Manner; 31 The Letters of Mrs Gaskell, pp. 540-2 32 Mary Barton, ch. I 33 Sylvia’s Lovers, ch. 9 34 Mary Barton, ch. 6 35 Mary Barton, ch. 6 36 North and South, ch. 17 37 Wives and Daughters, ch. 45 38 Ruth, ch. 19; Limitations and Achievement; 39 Sylvia’s Lovers, ch. 12 40 Wives and Daughters, ch. 23 41 Mary Barton, ch. 20; Select Bibliography

John McVeagh