North and South

Mary Gaskell's North and South examines the nature of social authority and obedience and provides an insightful description of the role of middle class women in nineteenth century society. Through the story of Margaret Hate, a southerner who moves to the northern industrial town of HiLton, Gaskell skillfully explores issues of class and gender, as Margaret's sympathy for the town mitt workers conflicts with her growing attraction to the mitt owner, John Thornton. This new and revised expanded edition sets the novel in the context of Victorian social and medical debate.