North and South

North and South is a book by Elizabeth Gaskell, written in the backdrop of industrialisation of England in 1855. I am always curious about books written by women authors and those based in the victorian era always interest me. 

As the title suggests, 'North and South' brings out the differences between the people living in the scenic, southern districts and the industrialised newer towns of England. The story is about Margaret Hale and her experiences as she is forced to shift from the south of England to a crowded and polluted industrial town in the north. Margaret Hale is the daughter of a parson or a clergyman who during his middle age loses his faith in the system and shifts to a different town to make a living.

The book starts with a beautiful setting, in a fashionable part of London where Margaret is helping her aunt prepare for her cousin's wedding. But slowly there is a shift as Margaret goes back to her hometown to be with her own parents. In Victorian England it was common to send daughters to other well to do relatives in order to give them better chances of marriage. So Margaret has spent all her growing up years with her rich aunt in London and has developed the right manners and hobbies to make her sought after as a bride.

The first shock in the story is when the God fearing parson, Mr Hale decides to make a change in his profession as he feels he no longer believes in all those things he preaches. Margaret realises that she is a stranger in her own home and is unable to help her mother deal with her disappointment with her husband.

The change of scene to a small industrial town, Milton, in northern England is shown as being physically and emotionally draining to the mother and daughter. Margaret is extremely prejudiced against trade and business. The only redeeming feature about Milton is however that it produces so much cotton and gives employment and hope to so many people. There is such a vast difference in the lifestyle in the two places, Helstone and Milton. The grey landscape, smoke, smog, dust and pollution seems to be the price to be paid for equality of opportunity. Mr Hale like so many others wishes to start a new life in the new town.

Meanwhile Margaret also has a brother who is hiding from the local law officials as he is wrongly charged of being a deserter. He runs away and is hiding in Spain. The family goes through sickness and death and separation. Initially all things bad are associated with the new place and then slowly the heroine is shown as gaining in character and strength.

Gradualy, Margaret realises that her own problems in life are nothing compared to the plight of the mill workers. She sees strikes and protests and forms opinions about equal opportunity for the labourers. She argues and convinces the mill owner, Mr Thornton to treat the mill workers with more care and compassion. She also understands the importance of character as opposed to charm and chivalry. 

It is interesting to note that Elizabeth Gaskell was very progressive in her opinions about the rights of the workers in industry. Her arguments are impressive and convincing. She uses the character of Mr Hale to bring out the dichotomy  of religion and real life. All the books and philosophy do not help Mr Hale with the sorrows of his own life. However it helps his daughter gain better insight into the lives of the people less fortunate than herself.

While the story can be seen essentially as a love story between Margaret and Mr Thornton, the underlying philosophy is also brought out beautifully without being overbearing. It is a brilliant story with strong characterisation. I loved the book and found it quite unique because it is written in the Victorian era and yet it shows a progressive and liberal outlook towards life.