North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (A reread)
“We have all of us one human heart.”
North and South is a powerful book and an absorbing read! It deserves attention along with other literary classics with similar themes, such as Pride and Prejudice or Howards End.
N&S is a class-conflict novel. Although its title refers to regional disparities, it deals much with the conflict of two classes within one Northern city, Milton. But the disparate viewpoints which Mrs. Gaskell, with the clear-sighted magnanimity her readers love, tried to reconcile are bigger than the novel. No easy solution exists. The novel does not end with a utopia created. It could not, and Mrs. Gaskell must have been well aware of this, for she made Mr. Thornton acknowledge the remaining problems even as he connected with his workers. The end may seem too easy and conventional for one that explores such themes, but Mrs. Gaskell uses the love story between two individuals of different perspectives to reveal the human hearts involved in public struggle and to reconcile the warring perspectives. How effectually she did this could be questioned, but the strength of the book certainly lies in the characters she used to illustrate the principles and ideas animating the conflicts.
So, without further ado, I shall give a few comments on what struck me about some of these characters. My comments will be brief, for these characters have been, and will be, explored in greater depth elsewhere. I will not give a full analysis or summary of the novel either, for this too has been done before.
Personally, I see Margaret as an orphan even before the deaths of her parents. We are never really given any explanation as to why she grew up in London, while her parents lived in the country, but it is obvious from the start that she does not fit in with her Aunt Shaw's lifestyle and stood as one apart. Almost as soon as she returns to live with her parents, Margaret must make decisions (such as rejecting a proposal) on her own, without helpful advice from them. Indeed, soon she must make decisions for them. Their eventual deaths actually free her from constantly having to spare their sensitivities. In a way, Margaret must be a stable figure for her own parents, but, like Lizzy Bennet, she is young and prejudiced. Perspicacity, and even maturity, do not equal soundness of judgment.
Usually there is something silly about cheer-leading for a favorite hero, however literary. But by the end of N&S even this Jane-ite subscribed to the view expressed by some as, “Mr. Thornton > Mr. Darcy”. (Mr. Darcy is misunderstood because he is shy. He's certainly an honorable man of good character who overcomes his pride through love of Lizzy, but he remains a rich man who himself admits to having been spoilt as a child.) Mr. Thornton, though at first not predisposing, has built up a tower of words, actions, non-actions and self-control enough to laud several men with his own definition of “manly”. He continues to love Margaret and to seek her best good even when he has reasons to despise her which Darcy never had for Lizzy. How can one not love Mr. Thornton? Well, through misunderstanding and prejudice, of course.
Nicholas Higgins emerges as one of the best characters, fully worthy to be the one who connects with Thornton, because they are both men of honor, made outwardly hard by circumstance.
Mr. Hale, although an almost annoyingly weak and undecided character, ought to be given his just dues for all he was willing to do for conscience. It is possible Mrs. Gaskell intended his religious views to play a larger role and then changed her mind during the serial's publication.
Mr. Bell, towards the end of the novel, seems to bring with him Mrs. Gaskell's delightful, almost Austenesque, flashes of humor which greatly add to the final chapters.
Mrs. Thornton is the strongest female character, aside from the heroine. She is generally an unsympathetic character, but she could be viewed as a foil to Margaret. Their similarities as strong, proud women are contrasted by their viewpoints coming from different regions, classes and generations. One finishes N&S wondering if, when, and how their mutual love for John Thornton will break the walls of pride and prejudice between.
Film
With N&S, for once I saw the series before reading the novel. I'd fallen in love with Wives and Daughters (the book) several months before and randomly picked up the N&S DVD at the library. Well, I fell in love with it and... (this is embarrassing to admit precisely because I'm in a crowded boat) with Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton.
It's probably a good thing I didn't read the book first, because Sandy Welch's adaptations of two of my other favorite novels, Emma and Jane Eyre, are worthy of anathema. Fortunately, I saw this adaptation first, so I can still like it.
One of its best achievements was in portraying the fomentation among the union workers, perhaps even more effectively than the book, through bringing us into their midst while they are rowdy and riled. The very nature of cinematography is also suited to portrayal of the harsh and repellent conditions among the poor of the North.
Oh, and yes, when it comes to the controversial scene where Mr. Thornton beats a worker, I'm firmly in the camp that it entirely contradicts the self-controlled character Mrs. Gaskell was at such pains to portray in him.
Ultimately, it's impossible for any film to be as good as a classic book, but this one shines light on important aspects and boasts an exquisite cast. It is thoroughly enjoyable.
(I may share further thoughts on N&S soon, as I will next be reading David Lodge's Nice Work which, I believe, draws on N&S.)
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