Mary Barton
By Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
- Release Date: 1865-01-01
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
The novel begins in Manchester, where we are introduced to the Bartons and the Wilsons, two working class families. ohn Barton reveals himself to be a great questioner of the distribution of wealth and the relation between the rich and the poor. He also relates how his sister-in-law Esther has disappeared after she ran away from home. Soon afterwards Mrs Barton dies, and John is left with his daughter Mary to cope in the harsh world around them. Having already been deeply affected by the loss of his son Tom at a young age, after the death of his wife, Barton tackles depression and begins to involve himself in the Chartist movement connected with the trade unions
Reviews
Mary Barton
3By Janice in PanamaGood insight into humans and their humanity. Easy readMary Barton
4By SloppyKissessMuch like a Shakespearian tragedy, this story tells of the troubled lives of the working-class in an industrial town in England from 1837-1842. I did not enjoy this book as much as North and South by Ms. Gaskell but the characters were interesting and it provided a look at the time through the eyes of the author. Being as much a social commentary as a novel, the book was descriptive and entertaining enough to keep my interest but lacked the levity and depth for me to wish to read it again. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell's works.Not worth the time
2By Icel3lueWell, to me, the chain of events in Mary Barton seems a bit too optimistic and way in favor of Mary, the heroine! Elizabeth Gaskell has exaggerated the impact of religion in my opinion, putting much effort in favor of Christianity. Also, the cruelty of the upper class of those days has not been shown as it really were.
