Civilisation Britannique - Travail d'Etude littéraire

Résumé du document

North and south is the fourth published work of english writer Elizabeth Gaskell and her second industrial novel. Published in 1855, it follows the adventures of young Margaret Hale, daughter of a rural pastor, who moves with her parents to Milton, an industrial town. The reader discovers with her the daily lives of the workers, the first strikes, and learn to gradually appreciate the town, the workers and even their rich dirigeant, John Thornton.

Extraits

[...] What opinion of the author can the reader see ? First of all, we will reflect upon the different cases of rebellion we can encounter in the reading of this novel, secondly we will expand our views with Mr Thornton who represents the new richs and this fights against his employees which will allow us to explore the realities of this time. Of course, our thoughts will be backed up by precise references to the book. Our theme, auhority and revolts is, quite evidently, social, political but also cultural by the accepted representations of this time and philosophical, by the values that were then considered importants. [...]

[...] Even by his name, Mister Thornton is reminding of a thorn in the way that he is strong willed, brave and used to fighting to get whatever he wats. His emmployee, mister Higgins compares him to a dog. Sometimes blind to the consequences of his actions, he tends whole heartedly to achieve his goals. It is this strength and determination that will get Margaret to admire him in the end. We can pounder over the ending of the book, with the marriage of Margaret and Thornton. [...]

[...] As a conclusion, we can say that this book is complex enough to furnish a social study on the victorian times. Not only is it a precious source of information but it is also a masterpiece of the english litterature at the same level as Pride and Prejudice or even Dickens stories. The interested reader may take note that North and South has been adapted to television in mini series in 2004 on the BBC. Another work of Elizabeth Gaskell has also been put to television, Wives and daughers can now be found as a movie. [...]

[...] At the beginning of the book this opposition is enhanced. Margaret isn't pretty by the usual standards but she attracts men's attention many times throughout the story : first Lennox, then the workers at Milton who casually comment on her appearence and then she grabs the attention of John Thornton. She is headstrong, independant, and well read, that is in no way an ideal woman according to this time. The reader may see this, but it doesn't tend to be badly perceived since Margaret is still the main protagonist and Edith, for example, isn't seen as anything even remotely interesting. [...]

[...] As we can deduce, the main characters of this novel already have a habit of standing up for what they believe is right, even if it's against the law or the social values of their time. Confronted to Milton and its workers, it is predictable that a fight will ensue. For all their rebellious beliefs, they also believe that loyalty is due to someone exercising power fairly and kindly. John Thornton is the owner of a local business, the Malborough Mills, where some of the inhabitants of Milton work. [...]