Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton as socially conservative

It has been suggested that all discourses regarding Victorian social problems are gendered. (Poovey) Social problem novels such as Mary Barton are gendered feminine due to the human aspect found in the writing, which persuades and manipulates the reader to react emotionally. Dangers such as hunger and disease are familiar presences in the novel allowing emotion to be felt by the reader. Perhaps one of the best examples of the capability of the novel in arousing emotion is in chapter six, when John Barton and George Wilson witness the horrific filth in which the poor Davenport family reside. Cazamian states, “There is no scene in any novel of the time which

By examining the ways in which May Barton fits into the “social problem novel” category, Gaskell’s conservative views of her society have become evident. Her use of poverty, death and addiction provide a starting point from which important social messages can be derived. Gaskell uses female characters in the book as role models for Mary’s lessons in her duty as a woman in society. She also uses the characters to emphasise the importance of family ties. The plot which she has devised, together with the characters also endorse the sanctity of marriage in Victorian society. It is these methods that display Gaskell’s conservative social views that are seen in Mary Barton.

The importance of family, and more importantly a female influence in a young girls life is also seen through the character of Margaret Jennings. Since Margaret is motherless, Job Legh, her grandfather fills this void, as his character is portrayed as very feminine and nurturing.

Even though her father is not always present when she needs him, Mary has the guidance of the other women in her life. It is here that the sense of duty that a woman holds in society is taught to Mary. These “surrogate mothers” in a sense, through their tales and conversations, suggest to Mary the advice which her own mother might have provided had she lived. In chapter four, the character of Alice Wilson, for example, relates the story of her youth to Mary and Margaret, both young and motherless girls. Alice tells of leaving her home in the country to go into "service" in Manchester and of how it hurt her own mother that she was so willing to go. In subsequent years she often plans to go home again, but is unable to do so before her mother's death. The motif of Alice's desire to see her old home once more is repeated again and again throughout the novel; it serves as a warning to Mary about the value of the "home ties" she is tempted to abandon. There are continuous veiled warnings such as this throughout the book.

Some topics in this essay:
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