Publisher's Synopsis
Mary Barton is a novel written by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1848. Set in Manchester, England during the mid-19th century, the story follows the life of Mary Barton, a young woman who lives with her father, a working-class factory worker. Mary falls in love with Jem Wilson, a fellow worker, but their relationship is complicated by the class divide between them. As the novel progresses, Mary's father becomes involved in the Chartist movement, a working-class political movement seeking better conditions for workers. This leads to a tragic event that forces Mary to confront the realities of poverty and injustice in her community. Throughout the novel, Gaskell explores themes of social inequality, class conflict, and the struggles of the working class. She also delves into the complexities of human relationships, particularly those between men and women, and the impact of societal pressures on these relationships. Mary Barton is considered a significant work of Victorian literature and is praised for its vivid portrayal of working-class life and its nuanced exploration of social issues. It is also notable for being Gaskell's first novel and for establishing her as a prominent voice in Victorian literature.Masterpiece of Manchester.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
