Share your responses to this classic novel. At one time, it was classified only as a ‘condition of England’ novel. More recently the story of Margaret Hale, and her movements between the rural south and the newly industrialised north has been re-evaluated. We’ll be looking at Gaskell’s role as a novelist, her portrayal of the political and social economies of mid-Victorian England and assessing the literary themes and characterisations.

Please read to the end of chapter 10, for discussion at the first session.