Sociological Analysis of North and South: Class and Industry

This report offers a sociological analysis of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, 'North and South,' examining the social issues and class conflicts arising from the Industrial Revolution. The analysis focuses on the setting of the novel, the fictional town of Milton, and the clashes between workers and employers, highlighting the harsh realities of the working class. The report delves into the character of Margaret Hale and her evolving empathy towards the struggles of the working class, particularly in contrast to the industrialist Thornton. The author draws parallels between Gaskell's work and Frederick Engels' 'The Condition of the Working Class in England,' emphasizing the themes of inequality, poor working conditions, and the stark differences between the wealthy and the working class. The report highlights the impact of industrialization on social relations and the consequences of these changes on the lives of the mill workers and the society at large, and the protagonist's understanding of the industrialist. The assignment concludes by emphasizing the significance of Gaskell's work as a portrayal of the social and economic transformations of the industrial period, along with the work of Engels.

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Author Note

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North and South is a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell which is based on social issues. The
novel was published in 1854. The novel is regarded as one of her best works which was even
adapted in visual representation for television. The television version was a dominant reason
behind the interest of a large group of audience and readers. The first novel which was written by
Gaskell was Mary Barton and it focused on to depict the relationship shared by employees and
workers in the setting of city Manchester. Whereas, in North and South, the setting of an
industrializing setting has been portrayed, in the Southern part of England (Stoneman 2016). The
brutal face of Industrial Revolution has been brought forward with the character of Margaret
Hale, who was compelled to leave home in South to settle in Milton.
North and South is set in a fictional town in Milton which is undergoing Industrial
Revolution. Margaret witnesses the clashes between the workers and employer which result in
strikes. She grows up to be very empathetic towards the people who face poverty and struggles
in the city (McVeagh 2016). She admires their courage to face the odds and that they raise their
voice, who are the rich owners of the mills. Margaret befriends Bessy, who is the daughter of a
union leader in Milton. Sadly, she dies soon for being exposed to poor condition of work in the
mill. Elizabeth Gaskell traces the relationship between mill owners and the labors, which
eventually become complex due to poor working conditions. There is a theme of inequality
running in the play which Gaskell intends to highlight. Margaret expresses her distaste for the
manufacturing class, which is clear in her approach towards Milton.
The class conflict and difference has been depicted in the novel through a love story of a
young woman belonging to the middle class society of Southern England and an industrialist,
who can be referred to as a misunderstood man from the northern part of the city. Thornton, who
befriends Margaret’s father but is misunderstood for being miserable to his workers. He is, on

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the contrary, responsible towards his mill workers and their welfare. Later, Thornton faces great
losses in his business, due to which he sells it, which he had built from scratch, with his own
efforts. He thus, chose to practice business in a more humanitarian way without any distinction
of worker and master. A change can be noticed in Thornton’s approach as he treats Higgins
differently, whom he had hired for the company after the strikes were called. After such a
realization, as he tries to engage in a mutually beneficial relationship, in which he becomes
respectful towards the other.
The novel by Gaskell can be compared to the work of Frederick Engels, The Condition of
the Working Class in England, as Engels, in the book has projected the conditions of the working
class people of England. The books contained details which were observed and studied by
Engels in the book. Contemporary reports in detailed manner are also part of his book, which is
based on Manchester city which was rapidly undergoing Industrial Revolution (Engels 2005).
Engels, in his seminal work, which has also been praised by Karl Marx, argues about the poor
conditions of living of the poor, who constitute the working class of the society. He projects the
miserable condition of the workers who live in industrial cities where diseases such as measles,
whooping cough, smallpox, scarlet fever widespread (Engels 2005). These people of Manchester
city are more likely to be found infected by these diseases as compared to the people living in the
country side. The death rate in the city was also higher in Liverpool and Manchester than the
national average. The Conditions of the Working Class in England has contributed to the greater
context and influenced works of many scholars. The historians who were writing and studying
the industrial revolution closely, were immensely influenced by the Engels’ book and its reports.
Engels had argued about the wages which the workers received for their work, as well as
the conditions of living in the cities, which were in stark contrast with the wealthier class of the

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society (Engels 2005). Elizabeth Gaskell, in his novel has also depicted this class difference but
with the help of a fictional town in which the workers of the mill factory are the victims of the
wealth and class difference. The unhealthy environment in which the mill employees worked has
been highlighted with the death of Bessy, who died for being exposed to cotton dust and led to
complex health issues. Engels work has been a critique of the industrializing world which can
also be traced in the work of Elizabeth Gaskell (Flint 2018). The book by Engels has been one of
the most important book of the industrial period which provides classic account of the time and
struggles of the working class people.
It can thus be concluded by saying that Gaskell has provided accounts of the struggles
faced by the mill workers, from the perception of the protagonist who lived in the south and
looked misunderstood the industrialist Thornton for being irresponsible towards his workers. The
employees. The novel by Gaskell is considered to be one of her best works which even were
produced for visual entertainment. On the other hand, The Conditions of the Working Class in
England, by Frederick Engels has been seminal and contributed to the greater scope of critique of
the industrial revolution and condition of work of the poorer section of the society.

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References
Engels, Frederick. "The condition of the working class in England." In The Sociology and
Politics of Health, pp. 22-27. Routledge, 2005.
Stoneman, Patsy. "Elizabeth Gaskell." (2016).
McVeagh, John. Elizabeth Gaskell. Routledge, 2016.
Flint, Kate. Elizabeth Gaskell. Oxford University Press, 2018.