4 Mary Barton (1848)
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Patsy Stoneman
Abstract
Most critics deplore the presence of ‘extraneous factors’ such as the love story and the murder plot in Mary Barton. Elizabeth Gaskell dissociated herself from ‘political economy’ because she believed that humane ethical attitudes, rather than blind market forces, should govern social relationships. Mary Barton develops a contrast between two ethical systems, that of the working class, based on caring and co-operation, and that of the middle class, based on ownership, authority and the law. The dichotomy is similar to the conventional gender-role division, and Gaskell has been criticised for trying to evade the question of class struggle with an inappropriate domestic ethic. She had, however, some justification for presenting the working class as observing a ‘female ethic’. Rather than evading the question of class struggle, however, Mary Barton offers a critique of confrontational politics. As a critique of fatherhood, Mary Barton needs its ‘irrelevant’ subplots.
Abstract
Most critics deplore the presence of ‘extraneous factors’ such as the love story and the murder plot in Mary Barton. Elizabeth Gaskell dissociated herself from ‘political economy’ because she believed that humane ethical attitudes, rather than blind market forces, should govern social relationships. Mary Barton develops a contrast between two ethical systems, that of the working class, based on caring and co-operation, and that of the middle class, based on ownership, authority and the law. The dichotomy is similar to the conventional gender-role division, and Gaskell has been criticised for trying to evade the question of class struggle with an inappropriate domestic ethic. She had, however, some justification for presenting the working class as observing a ‘female ethic’. Rather than evading the question of class struggle, however, Mary Barton offers a critique of confrontational politics. As a critique of fatherhood, Mary Barton needs its ‘irrelevant’ subplots.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Dedication vii
- Preface to the Second Edition ix
- Preface to the First Edition xi
- References and Abbreviations xiii
- 1 Reading Elizabeth Gaskell 1
- 2 Woman and Writer 14
- 3 Two Nations and Separate Spheres 30
- 4 Mary Barton (1848) 45
- 5 Cranford (1851) 57
- 6 Ruth (1853) 65
- 7 North and South (1854) 78
- 8 Sylvia’s Lovers (1863) 92
- 9 Cousin Phillis (1863) 105
- 10 Wives and Daughters (1865) 112
- Conclusion 132
- Afterword 136
- References 172
- Select Bibliography 181
- Index 183
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Dedication vii
- Preface to the Second Edition ix
- Preface to the First Edition xi
- References and Abbreviations xiii
- 1 Reading Elizabeth Gaskell 1
- 2 Woman and Writer 14
- 3 Two Nations and Separate Spheres 30
- 4 Mary Barton (1848) 45
- 5 Cranford (1851) 57
- 6 Ruth (1853) 65
- 7 North and South (1854) 78
- 8 Sylvia’s Lovers (1863) 92
- 9 Cousin Phillis (1863) 105
- 10 Wives and Daughters (1865) 112
- Conclusion 132
- Afterword 136
- References 172
- Select Bibliography 181
- Index 183
