Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South: Contrasting Milton and HelstoneLeitura em 10 minutos

In my second term studying English Culture at the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), I was introduced to a book that I knew would hold significance throughout my academic journey: Raymond Williams’s The Country and the City (1973). This is a work that explores the relationship between rural areas and urban centers in England throughout a process that would culminate in full-blown urbanisation. It is a highly relevant book for understanding English history, culture and literature. In my eighth term, I revisited Williams’s work for my “English Literature IV” course, where we studied Elizabeth Gaskell’s industrial novel North and South (1854). I believe that these two works can establish a meaningful dialogue, shedding light over different aspects of English society and literature.

Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson was born in Chelsea, then a small town on the outskirts of London. In 1832, she married William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister. They lived together in the industrial town of Manchester. It is noteworthy that the author of North and South resided there for a considerable period. In the nineteenth century, Manchester was a major center of English cotton production and witnessed numerous conflicts between manufacturers and workers.

Interestingly, the fictional city of Milton Northern in North and South is based on Manchester. Gaskell’s choice to write about an experience so close to her adds depth to her work. It is particularly intriguing that she decided to present the perspectives of both manufacturers and workers during this turbulent industrial era. In doing so, Gaskell challenges the conventional ideals imposed on middle-class women, which were often in line with Coventry Patmore’s notions in “The Angel in the House” (published in 1854, the same year as North and South).

North and South opens with Margaret Hale returning to her family to a seemingly idyllic life in Helstone, a small country village. To the protagonist, Helstone represents the epitome of perfection, something akin to living in the Garden of Eden. The abundance of descriptions of the surrounding trees in Margaret’s home further accentuates the picturesque nature of her surroundings.

(…) I think Helstone is about as perfect a place as any in the world. Recollect how you rather scorned my description of it one evening in Harley Street: “a village in a tale.” (GASKELL, 2008, p. 28)

Indeed, Margaret’s deep admiration for Helstone highlights her idealization of the place where she grew up. This idealization acts as a lens through which she views her hometown, causing her to overlook or remain oblivious to its problems. As the story progresses, the news of the Hale family’s relocation to Milton, the industrial town, deeply distresses them, especially the family matriarch, Mrs. Hale. Each passing day in Milton seems to take a toll on her, making her increasingly anxious and unwell. Mrs. Hale constantly longs for the days spent in Helstone, reminiscing about the peaceful and idyllic life they once had. Whenever she gets the chance, she laments the polluted air and harsh conditions in Milton, emphasizing the stark contrast with the serene environment of her cherished Helstone.

The life in Milton was so different from what Mrs. Hale had been accustomed to live in Helstone, in and out perpetually into the fresh and open air; the air itself was so different, (…) that there was good reason to fear that her mother’s health might be becoming seriously affected (GASKELL, 2008, p. 88).

In his work The Country and the City, Raymond Williams discusses how “On the country has gathered the idea of a natural way of life: of peace, innocence, and simple virtue, (…) a place of backwardness, ignorance, limitation” (WILLIAMS, 1975, p. 1). The Hale family in North and South certainly shares the idealisation described by Williams. In Helstone, the reader is presented with a sense of peace and harmony, where problems appear to be nonexistent, and, as far as Margaret is concerned, financial concerns do not seem to be of trouble. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear just how detached from reality this impression really is. 

A consequence of this lack of awareness is that the Hales appear to be oblivious to the complexities of the social barriers that exist beyond Helstone. The Hales’s limited exposure and experience result in a somewhat sheltered perspective. This lack of awareness about the wider societal issues reinforces the idealization of Helstone and perpetuates a sense of detachment from the realities faced by those living in the industrial towns like Milton. Raymond Williams discusses the dramatic and explosive growth that the industrial towns of northern England experienced throughout the nineteenth century. He highlights the remarkable expansion of cities like Manchester, where the urban landscape transformed rapidly. Williams points out that while London’s population grew by 20% between 1821 and 1842, Manchester surpassed this rate with a staggering growth of over 40% during the same period. To put this into perspective, in 1773, Manchester had a population of 43 thousand inhabitants, but by 1831, that number had quintupled, reaching 187 thousand inhabitants. Williams also wrote that “On the city has fathered the idea of an achieved centre: of learning, communication, light. Powerful hostile associations have also developed: on the city as a place of noise, worldliness and ambitions” (GASKELL, 1975, p. 1). This is the new reality confronting Margaret and her family in Milton.

In the industrial city of Milton, Margaret becomes acquainted with the difficult and bitter life of the Higgins family. The story follows the heartbreaking journey of Bessy Higgins, a 19-year-old girl who falls ill due to the grueling conditions of working in the cotton factories. Tragically, it does not take long for Bessy to succumb to her illness, leading to her untimely death. This heart-wrenching experience illustrates that the rapid growth of the industrial city came at a heavy cost. The ones who paid the price were the factory workers, who endured unjust working hours and faced terrible employment conditions in the factories. This cruel reality of England is entirely foreign to Margaret, who had never experienced such hardship and suffering before. As she gets to know the Higgins family, she is deeply shocked and disheartened by their struggles. Through her time in Milton, Margaret becomes more mature, gradually becoming more aware of the precarious and unfair reality that factory workers endure.

In Milton, we meet the Thorntons, with John Thornton as its prominent figure. As the owner of a local mill, John is the embodiment of a northern English manufacturers. He lives with his mother, Hannah Thornton, and his sister, Fanny. Mr. Thornton’s views align with what Raymond Williams portrays as the ambitious and authoritative attitudes prevalent in the north of England in that era. However, more notably, John Thornton embodies the belief that workers must submit to their employers to eventually rise to a position of power similar to that of their bosses.

“It is one of the great beauties of our system, that a working-man may raise himself into the power and position of a master by his own exertions and behaviour” (GASKELL, 2008, p. 84).

Indeed, Mr. Thornton’s speech and beliefs are undeniably elitist, drawing from his own experience as a successful factory owner. However, there is an ironic aspect to his arguments. Despite facing financial hardship and bankruptcy in his family’s past, he uses his own example as proof that anyone can achieve the industrial success he attained. The flaw in his reasoning becomes apparent when considering that his situation is unique and not replicable to the majority of factory workers. The reality for the thousands of laborers toiling in the factories was quite different. Most workers lacked the safety net of savings and financial resources that protected Mr. Thornton’s family during their difficult times. For these laborers, climbing the social ladder and achieving success was a far more challenging and arduous task. Despite this, Mr. Thornton demands that everyone should strive to achieve his level of status, using meritocracy as an argument. However, the novel’s depiction of the industrial society shows that true meritocracy was not a practical reality in the nineteenth century, just as it remains a challenge in contemporary times. Social barriers, unequal opportunities, and systemic disadvantages make it difficult for the majority to rise to the same level as the privileged few. As the story progresses, Mr. Thornton’s beliefs and actions come back to haunt him when he faces the consequences of the workers’ strike.

On her turn, Mrs. Thornton is a character who embodies the essence of Milton in her own way. Her arrogance and snobbery are evident in her behavior and interactions with others, reflecting her narrow and rigid worldview. In chapter 15 from the first volume, she expresses a belief that reading and studying classical literature is a waste of time for men, asserting that nothing substantial can be gained from such pursuits. Instead, she places great value on the Miltonian lifestyle, which revolves around full dedication to work. Mrs. Thornton’s perspective aligns with the prevailing mindset of some manufacturers in Milton, who prioritize work above all else and view it as the measure of a person’s worth. This attitude underscores the harsh and unfair nature of the work environment in the town, akin to the struggles faced by workers like the Higgins family.

“I have no doubt the classics are very desirable for people who have leisure. But, I confess, it was against my judgment that my son renewed his study of them. The time and place in which he lives, seem to me to require all his energy and attention. Classics may do very well for men who loiter away their lives in the country or in colleges; but Milton men ought to have their thoughts and powers absorbed in the work of to-day. At least, that is my opinion” (GASKELL, 2008, p. 113).

Despite being a work of fiction, the novel has emerged as a crucial source for understanding the problems that arose from this transformative era, particularly concerning the abysmal quality of life for urban workers. Thus, not considering North and South as one of the most important industrial novels in the context of nineteenth-century England is basically impossible. Towards the end of the story, Margaret embarks on a journey back to her beloved Helstone, which holds a special place in her heart. However, things have changed since her last visit, as both her father and mother have passed away. This return to Helstone provides Margaret with a fresh perspective on both Helstone and Milton, where she spent a significant portion of her life. Now an adult, Margaret has grown more mature and developed a critical mindset compared to her earlier self at the beginning of the story. This newfound maturity allows her to view Milton with a more discerning eye, not just in isolation but in comparison with Helstone as well. While Helstone remains a cherished and welcoming space for her, she now recognizes the inherent differences between the tranquility of the countryside and the complexities of the city. Margaret’s initial prejudices against Milton, which were prevalent at the start of the novel, seem to have dissolved with her increased understanding and life experiences.

Then her thoughts went back to Milton, with a strange sense of the contrast between the life there, and here. (…) There might be toilers and moilers there in London, but she never saw them; the very servants lived in an underground world of their own, of which she knew neither the hopes nor the fears; they only seemed to start into existence when some want or whim of their master and mistress needed them. There was a strange unsatisfied vacuum in Margaret’s heart and mode of life (GASKELL, 2008, p. 373).

North and South has brought to light a profound realization: when we revisit a place where we once resided for an extended period, it can appear remarkably different to us. The novel has also underscored the significance of stepping out of our comfort zones, which can be a challenging endeavor. However, doing so can lead to the discovery of unforeseen possibilities and the expansion of our cultural repertoire. Moreover, it may offer the opportunity to confront and dismantle our own prejudices.

 

REFERENCES:

GASKELL, Elizabeth; EASSON, Angus (Ed.). North and South. Oxford: Cambridge University Press, 2008. [1854]

LITERATURA INGLESA BRASIL. O CAMPO E A CIDADE, de Raymond Williams: introdução. Ministred by Marcela Santos Brigida. Youtube, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/CiKb4iSCvyE. Accessed on 23 Mar. 2023.

WILLIAMS, Raymond. The Country and the City. Oxford: Cambridge University Press, 1975.