When her father has a crisis of conscious, Margaret Hale's life is
turned upside down. Because her parents decide to move away from
southern London, Margaret must leave behind the tranquil, rural life
she's always known to settle in an industrial town called Milton. Though
she does her best to assimilate, Margaret cannot help but feel trapped
and hopeless in Milton, as she witnesses the brutal effects
industrialization has on the environment and the individual. Used to
fresh air and open spaces, Margaret notices the stark difference between
her country home and Milton. While the air feels thick and the streets
feel too crowded, Margaret's compassion is captured by the plight of the
lower classes. Befriending many poor laborers, Margaret learns of the
unsafe conditions they work in, while they are making pennies on the
boss's dollar. While Margaret witnesses and supports her friends as they
navigate toxic employer and worker relationships, she becomes involved
in their struggles and gradually begins to brainstorm solutions. But
when she meets John Thornton, a newly rich cotton mill owner, Margaret's
loyalty is tested. Initially clashing with John because of his
occupation and his opinions on workers, Margaret begins to slowly
develop strong feelings for John, avoiding him when she can out of
respect for her underprivileged working friends. But as tensions grow in
Milton, Margaret realizes that she cannot hide from John forever, and
that she must navigate her intense feelings for the man; is it contempt,
or something more?
With themes of class, social norms, and clashes between rural and urban
environments, North and South is a sophisticated romance novel.
Through the use of strong central characters and the set to the backdrop
of the industrial revolution, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell defies the
tradition of romance, and portrayed topics left unexplored by other
women of her time. First published in 1854, North and South features
an entertaining narrative while providing valuable insight on the life
and society of the 19th century Industrial Revolution in England.
This edition of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell's North and South is
printed in a modern font and features a new, eye-catching cover design,
making it both contemporary and accessible.
