Oh Mother

     Her mother - her mother always so kind and tender towards her - seemed now and then so much disconnected with their situation; thought that the bishop strangely neglected his episcopal duties, in not giving Mr Hale a better living; and almost reproached her husband because he could not bring himself to say that he wished to leave the parish, and undertake the charge of a larger. Her would sigh aloud as he answered, that if he could do what he ought in little Helstone, he should be thankful; but every day he was more overpowered; the world became more bewildering.... Mrs Hale said that the near neighbourhood of so many trees affected her health... [Margaret] was sure that her mother had accustomed herself to much to an in-dor life.

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 Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, Volume 1 ch. 1 (pg) 19

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     Margaret's mother is so confusing to me. I wish Gaskell had spent more time forming her character before the move. If she did not like the trees in the country, why was moving to town so difficult on her health? As the book says, she was use to staying inside the home. That is how it was in the North, yet she hated it. Mrs. Hale, originally a beautiful party girl, did not seem to be what she was before the move, so she must have been getting sick before she left Helstone. Maybe she had some disease, perhaps genetic, that she took with her to the North, which would mean that it was not Mr. Hale's fault, for which he blamed himself and agonized over, that she died. Also, when was Mrs. Hale nice to Margaret. I so would have liked to see that side of her, but all I see in the book is that Margaret is just another person to her mother, whereas the maid is a dear friend. Supposedly, Mrs. Hale was nice, or perhaps it is simply Margaret's blindness and optimism that makes her think that her mother actually loved her.

Back to the Beginning

    "She is a lucky girl," replied another voice, which Margaret knew to be that of Mrs. Gibson, a lady who was taking a double interest in the conversation, from the fact of one of her daughters having been married within the last few weeks. "Helen had set her heart upon an Indian shawl, but really when I found what an extravagant price was asked, I was obliged to refuse her. She will be quite envious when she hears of Edith having Indian shawls. What kind are they? Delhi? with the lovely little borders?"
    ... "Edith! Edith!" cried she.... Margaret stepped forward.
     "Edith is asleep, Aunt Shaw. Is there anything I can do?"
     All the ladies said, "Poor child!" on receiving this distressing intelligence about Edith; and a minute lap-dog in Mrs. Shaw's arms began to bark, as if excited by the burst of pity.....

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 Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, Volume 1 ch. 1 (pg) 9

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     When I think of a heroine, I picture that in this exact situation she would not be socializing with the frivolous women talking of expensive scarves or holding a fancy purse puppy, but she would be wishing to be of some assistance to anyone. She would wants something productive and practical to do. Seeing Margaret, when she was in her old home in the beginning of the book, as board and odd make me wonder why she hated the North so much at first. The South was never very good to her, other than the bits of silence, where she could escape to a grassy spot and read or day dream. I hate the women, living with her in the South, who are so spoiled, like Edith. What has she accomplished to be tired? Is flirting and being adored really that exhausting? Why does everyone like her? Because she's pretty, and everyone loves a wedding. Poor Margaret. Even in the North, women are frivolous, like Fanny. The heroine must be the unique one mustn't she?

A Unique Sort of Girl

     Margaret could not help her looks; but the short upper lip, the round, massive up-turned chin, the manner of carrying her head, her movements, full of soft feminine defiance, always gave strangers the impression of haughtiness. She was tired now, and would rather have remained silent and taken the rest her father had planned for her; but, of course, she owed it to herself to be a gentlewoman, and to speak courteously from time to time to this stranger; not over-brushed, nor over polished, it must be confessed, after his rough encounter with Milton streets and crowds. She wished that he would go....

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

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     Margaret is so unique. I love how she is not perfect, or beautiful, or cheerful, or social, which are traits of most heroines. Not everyone loves her. In Pride and Prejudice, which is of course the book I compare everything to, Elizabeth Bennet always knows what witty thing to say. She goes to parties, where she is admired, and always appears beautiful, even when her skirt is splattered with mud. Here, Margaret, who has time on her hands, is frustrated with having one person in the house. She, who is an extreme introvert, has not been around too many people, has had plenty of time to rest, but when the most handsome man in town walks in her door, she wants him to leave. This makes me so happy. Elizabeth knew how to flirt, as she did with Whickham, but Margaret sends off a haughty, prideful, unintentional look. She is so different from typical women, and I love her for it.