First Impressions

     Margaret opened the door and went in with the straight, fearless, dignified presence habitual to her. She felt no awkwardness; she had too much the habits of society for that. Here was a person come on business to her father; and, as he was one who had shown himself obliging, she was disposed to treat him with a full measure of civility. Mr. Thornton was a good deal more surprised and discomforted than she. Instead of a quiet, middle-aged clergyman, -a young lady came forward with frank dignity, - a young lady of a different type to most of those he was in the habit of seeing. Her dress was very plain: a close straw bonnet of the best material and shape, trimmed with white ribbon; a dark silk gown, without any trimming or flounce; a large Indian shawl, which hung about her in long heavy folds, and which she wore as an empress wears her drapery. He did not understand who she was, as he caught the simple, straight, unabashed look, which showed that his being there was of no concern to the beautiful countenance, and called up no flush of surprise to the pale ivory of the complexion.

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 Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, Volume 1 ch. 7 (pg) 62-63

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      Whenever I read this scene, I think to myself how interesting it is that all these details, explained with such beautiful words, support and shape how affected Margaret is from moving to the North. Her dress is dark as in mourning, the shawl is long and heavy as the weight on her heart is, and her face is pale as ivory as though she were getting sick from the lack of clean air. Yet despite these unattractive traits, Mr. Thornton sees a lady full of dignity, like an empress. Perhaps his shock at seeing her and not her father prevents him from seeing the pain she carries. But it is as if since she wishes to appear mature, strong and capable, Thornton sees her that way, even though apparent signs show she is otherwise. (This goes to show what a performance people can put on to hide what they truly feel inside. One must look deeper if he hopes to discover if a soul is genuine.) All the other girls in the North are like Fanny, Thornton's sister, stupid and frivolous. Finding a lady with a presence of confidence was probably so shocking that it stuck him how attractive she must be to simply be different. Lucky for Margaret that a first impression like that veiled her stubborn and ignorant manner.