North and South
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 10/04/2011 05:25 PM
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North and South
19th Century England was the home of many social and psychological changes. The beginning of the Industrial Revolution saw the division of England into two areas, the north and south. The rural, agrarian society in the south was seen as old and behind the times. The urban, industrial society in the north was seen as the beginning of a new industrialised future. Changes in society during this period of time can be observed in the prescribed visual text, the TV mini-series North and South, and the novel on which it was based by Elizabeth Gaskell.
In the visual text, the tree is hanging over the fence, reaching and spreading its branches from its place of confinement. This is a metaphor for women of the time, who were considered to be inferior to men. Women were believed to be obedient and weak, and in need of the possession of a male. The tree branching out represents women gaining freedom and independence, leaving behind preconceived attitudes. An example of this movement is seen in North and South when Margaret travels the streets of Milton, exploring and understanding her new home. During these travels, Margaret gains an understanding and competence that contradicts the stereotype of the sheltered Victorian female (1). When Boucher commits suicide, the workingmen and even Margaret’s father cannot bring themselves to break the news to his wife. Instead, it is Margaret who goes to the man’s home and confronts his widow. It is by this act that we see how Margaret is establishing herself as a woman outside the determined ideas of her time, by showing her character to be independent and strong, instead of dependent and weak.
Women in the 19th Century were only allowed a limited practical and artistic education, yet in North and South Margaret Hale contradicts these expectations. Margaret is educated in many disciplines, including literature, music, botany and geography. By partaking in these activities, she defies the social expectations of women,...
19th Century England was the home of many social and psychological changes. The beginning of the Industrial Revolution saw the division of England into two areas, the north and south. The rural, agrarian society in the south was seen as old and behind the times. The urban, industrial society in the north was seen as the beginning of a new industrialised future. Changes in society during this period of time can be observed in the prescribed visual text, the TV mini-series North and South, and the novel on which it was based by Elizabeth Gaskell.
In the visual text, the tree is hanging over the fence, reaching and spreading its branches from its place of confinement. This is a metaphor for women of the time, who were considered to be inferior to men. Women were believed to be obedient and weak, and in need of the possession of a male. The tree branching out represents women gaining freedom and independence, leaving behind preconceived attitudes. An example of this movement is seen in North and South when Margaret travels the streets of Milton, exploring and understanding her new home. During these travels, Margaret gains an understanding and competence that contradicts the stereotype of the sheltered Victorian female (1). When Boucher commits suicide, the workingmen and even Margaret’s father cannot bring themselves to break the news to his wife. Instead, it is Margaret who goes to the man’s home and confronts his widow. It is by this act that we see how Margaret is establishing herself as a woman outside the determined ideas of her time, by showing her character to be independent and strong, instead of dependent and weak.
Women in the 19th Century were only allowed a limited practical and artistic education, yet in North and South Margaret Hale contradicts these expectations. Margaret is educated in many disciplines, including literature, music, botany and geography. By partaking in these activities, she defies the social expectations of women,...