Gaskell's Response to the Industrialization in North and South - Term Paper Example

Gaskells Response to the Industrialization in North and South Introduction Industrial revolution spread across the 19-century Britain with great social, economic and cultural transformations being experienced by the citizens of the period. These transformations had profound impact in the lives of the people especially in areas such as working life, social structures as people increasingly gained new social status based on wealth accumulation and in the changing gender and class relations (Matus 1). Therefore, important authors of the time such as Elizabeth Gaskell adopted fiction as an avenue to delve into different aspects of society that until then was perceived as deplorable and taboo to highlight different social condition including prostitution and drug addiction in her “condition-of-England novels” (Matus 27). These social conditions were informed by the new status of the industrialized Britain, which faced major rural-urban migration trend as productive men and women moved to the cities to seek new opportunities as labourers in the factories. The result of mass movement of peel into the cities was overcrowding, poor housing and sanitation facilities and urban ills such as prostitution. Continued migration into the cities also meant that labour was oversupplied with the factory owners being assured of steady supply of labour whenever need arose resulting in sustainable wealth creation the manufacturers. However, the wealth created did not reach the workers who had to content with low wages therefore, economic instability leading to increased poverty and starvation for the working class population. The consequence of this situation is that the working class was frustrated with their work leading to protests and calls for reforms to ensure both factory owners and workers enjoy the fruits of industrial revolution (Matus 27). Based on the realities of the time, this essay hypothesizes that Gaskell through her novel North and South sought to highlight the importance of reconciliation as an important approach in tackling the social unrests taking place industrial revolution. Background Elizabeth Gaskell was born in 1810 to a Unitarian minister William Stevenson and Elizabeth but, when her mother died a year later, she was sent to live with an aunt Cheshire from where she also went to school gaining interest in languages and the fine arts. The author married William Gaskell, a utilitarian clergyman who also had an interest in literature and history, with whom they had six children. The success of Mary Barton written in 1845 motivated Elizabeth Gaskell to write several other works including Cranford (between 1851 and 1853), Ruth (1853), North and South (1855) and Sylvias Lovers (1863). Elizabeth also wrote the biographical The Life of Charlotte Brontë in 1857 although it was not well received as her past works of fictions. The last literary contribution from the author is the unfinished Wives and Daughters (1864-66) which Elizabeth had begun writing before she died in Manchester in 1865 (Cruttenden 91-93). This essay focuses on North and South (1855) to critically analyse the author’s response to industrialization in North and South. The novel features Margaret Hale as the protagonist who arrives in Milton to settle her parents in the industrial town after spending a significant portion of her early years in London where she was a companion of her cousin Edith Shaw. Margaret returned to her parents as a nineteen year-old raised and educated by her wealthy Aunt Shaw. It is while in the new environment of Milton town that Margaret experiences the harsh brutal reality that resulting from the transformations of industrial revolution. Margaret witnesses first-hand the conflicts resulting from riotous relationships between workers and the employees based on how John Thornton, a mill owner, relates to his workers. She is sympathetic to the plights of the workers some of whom she befriends including Bessy who is the daughter of the union leader Nicholas Higgins. This fondness towards some of the workers leads to her confrontation with John Thornton, as workers’ strike grows violent after Thornton hires cheaper Irish workers. However, Thornton has already grown in love and expresses this when he carries Margaret to safety when she is hit by a stone aimed at Thornton from the crowd. Although she refuses his love initially, they later agree to marry towards the tail end of the novel. Although Industrial revolution seems an economic development than part of literary history, it took place in the Victorian era with literary writers reacting to different transformations that were also taking place in other areas such as social relations. Therefore, literature in this period sought to highlight how these changes were affecting the lifestyles of people from different social classes as they adapted to an environment greatly influenced by manufacturing booms, improved railway transportation and urbanization. Consequently, many of the 19 century literature sought to highlight some of these issues among their thematic concerns giving rise to what was to be referred to as the Condition of England novel or the “industrial novel” (Cruttenden 23). North and South highlights the problem of the time right from the cover page with the south representing the cultured life of London while the north stands for the flourishing industrial town. Elizabeth Gaskell’s Perception of Industrial Conflicts North and South (1855) was published a few years after the release of Mary Barton (1848) which castigated factory owners for the social ills affecting the society since commencement industrial revolution which was spread across the north. Due to the scathing attacks against mill owners and the working conditions in their industries, critics accused Gaskell of being harsh the way she depicted the factory owners and working conditions provided for the working class population. The two novels are similar in that both highlight the confrontational relationship existing between the factory owners and workers based on what the author sees as her role in drawing attention to the suffering of factory workers in the city while also asserting the role of reconciliatory approach to reconcile the differences between the masters and workers (Moore 53). Mary Barton had a sole focus on the plight of workers in the industries as the bourgeoisies continued to accumulate wealth from employment of their labour. The author therefore used drama of the conflicting relationship between workers and owners of factories into a work of fiction that evaluates the divided nature of humanity (Uglow 193). As the author placed all the responsibility for the social evils on the shoulders of factory owners, it is not surprising that they were exasperated by what most felt was a lack of deep understanding of the actual situation. This could only be examined through understanding of all stakeholders and the environment under which the changes were taking place (Moore 53). Therefore, North and South provided Elizabeth Gaskell with an opportunity to undertake further analysis of the situation based on examination of industrialism from the side of the factory owners and the workers and their contribution towards continued deterioration of social relations. Consequently, North and South establish a middle ground by spotlighting the human side of the industry owners who have to deal with great difficulty to remain solvent in commercialized society. Therefore, North and South present a society that is still adjusting to the realities of industrialization. The author does not present a society in which various phenomena and people are static, but one in which there is openness to absorption of new ideas and worldview. Therefore, the author does not pursue evidence in Milton society, which might implicate the workers and industrialists as either good or evil but seeks to indicate their ability to transform as everyone adapts to the needs of industrial revolution. Even as the situation seems to be bleak such as when the workers are on strike and there seems to be no solution to the altercation between workers and mill owners such as John Thornton, always an eventual calmness allows for constructive engagement between the two groups. This is seen the improved relationship between Higgins and John Thornton who had previously sworn never offer Higgins employment in his enterprise. This highlights the authors “is preoccupied with the pressure of change, with its losses and gains, painting the energy as well as the misery of the new towns, and the hardship as well as the beauty of the countryside” (Matus 4). At the initial stages of the novel, Elizabeth highlights the exploitative nature of industrial revolution with the rich owners getting wealthy while workers continue to suffer (Nash 8). Rich owners such as John Thornton continue to expand their wealth at the expense of the lives of workers. Thornton does not invest in improvement of working conditions in the factory leading to conditions such as lung poisoning for the workers. The miserable life for workers and their families is exemplified by the situation in Nicholas Higgins’ family with his daughter, Bessy, suffering from lung infection resulting from working hours in the factory. When she is asked about her condition, Bessy replies, “I began to work in a carding-room, and the fluff got into my lungs ..., and poisoned me” (Gaskell 119). Given that Bessy is only eighteen years old, Gaskell highlights the human cost of industrialization. While it has provided livelihood for a number of families, industrialization has also led to loss of productive members of the society as it exposes them to hazards related to the new working environment. The situation Bessy find herself in is not specific to her as “there’s many a one as works in a carding-room, that falls into a waste, coughing and spitting blood, because they’re just poisoned by the fluff” (Gaskell 119). Apart from contracting diseases, in factories, industrialization also has psychological effect in the lives of the workers who experience misery due to feeling of monotony and hopelessness. The hardship experienced by these workers make them feel death is a welcoming relief for them as their physical and mental status can no longer sustain the day to day hassles of a factory worker. Bessy informs Margret her readiness to die noting “I tell thee thou’d been glad enough when th’ doctor said he feared thou’d never see another winter” (Gaskell 104). Although Bessy does not indicate the years she has worked in the factory, she seems to have had enough of it. Although those working in the factory lead a miserable life, those who find themselves without work face even tougher situations. While the employed such as Bessy seek relief from their hardships, one cannot survive without these jobs. The conditions in an industrialized town such as Milton favours to some extend only those who can find work. Families lacking financial support cannot survive the hardship in town as is the case for those whose breadwinners die or unable to work in the factories. After, the strike, John Thornton sacks the employees including Nicholas Higgins the union leader but Higgins comes back to ask for employment and has to spend over five hours waiting Thornton. Although Thornton had sworn never to hire Higgins again, the situation for him and other retrenched workers has become dire. Higgins begs Thornton for a job noting his desperation is not only for himself but also “to keep th’ widow and childer of a man who was drove mad by them knobsticks” (Gaskell 385). Even as the relationship between workers and owners seem to be chaotic, the author indicates the existence a point of convergence where both parties are able to let go of their differences and work to improve their conditions. In this case, Margaret Hale provides a mediating ground by encouraging the two sides to seek reconciliatory means through establishment of a consensus. Firstly, during the strike, Margaret implored Thornton to go out and face the striking workers before the solders came to disperse them with impunity. Ashe was afraid of the chaos that was bound to erupt when the solders find the striking workers outside Thornton’s house pleading to him, “Speak to your workmen as if they were human beings. Speak to them kindly. “Do not let the soldiers come in and cut down poor-creatures who are driven mad” (Gaskell 211). Margaret Hale convinces Nicholas Higgins to approach John Thornton to ask for another chance in his factory. This advice works with Thornton and Nicholas Higgins rising above their past differences to gain an understanding of the life situation from the opposite end of their own circumstances. It is through establishment of constructive conversation that the two open up to each other where “both master and man to look upon each other with far more charity and sympathy” (Gaskell 508). Industrialization had contributed to emergence of owners of factors of production such Thornton and a group of working class citizens with each section of the citizenry seeking to fulfil their own ambitions. Thornton had risen from the family debts left behind by his father to become a wealthy businessperson. This achievement made him blind to the miseries of those working for him in the mill factory. Gaskell introduces her audience to a society where the wealthy employers and employees are ignorant of the motivation of the other therefore forming a basis for the conflicts that arise. Solution to the conflicts such as violent strikes such as one involving mill workers is found in formation of a master-workmen relationship where each side comprehends the interests of the other therefore founding “out their ignorance as to positive matters of fact, known heretofore to one side, but not to the other” (Gaskell 508). Compassion such as that which Thornton exhibits towards his employees provides an essential basis over which the two sides of the conflict can start developing professional relationship that esteems interests of the other as legitimate. However, for the desired changes in the relations between labour and capital to be achieved, major responsibility is placed on mill owners such John Thornton who must rise above exist prejudice to change their treatment of the workers. This seems to be the reason why Elizabeth Gaskell dedicates an entire chapter in the discussion of “Masters and Men.” This chapter is essential in highlighting the need for dialogue around the relationship between capital and labour for as seen in the conversation where “Thornton’s mechanistic view of capital and labour is challenged by the paternalistic view offered by Margaret and Mr. Hale” (Matus 138). Margaret uses her conversation with Thornton to inform him that workers believed employers wanted employees “hands to be merely tall, large children…with a blind, unquestioning obedience’ (Gaskell 141). John Thornton uses his personal experience to justify his perception of the workers especially since he had arisen from poverty imposed on him and his mother by a father who committed suicide after being mortified by the debt accumulated due to exorbitant lifestyle. His life has been one of personal suffering as he sacrificed personal leisure over the years in order to clear his father’s debts by living an ascetic lifestyle while working hard to expand his business (Weiss 75). Therefore, Thornton deems his life experience as one that places him in a position where he can judge the workers by differing with the notion that the workers were sufferings. Thornton claims the suffering by these workers is merely “the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure, at some former period of their lives” (Gaskell 98). This indicates a lack of full knowledge on what influences the lifestyle of these workers and the responsibilities of employers toward improvement of their living conditions. Consequently, Gaskell indicates that for the perception of employees by employers to be transformed, industrialists such as Thornton must establish closer ties with workers through “personal contact” (Matus 138). Role of Labour Unions The role of labour unions is establishment of positive relations between employers and their employees is also an issue that Gaskell highlights. Labour unions are presented as being at the core of workers’ demand for improved working conditions although the factory owners perceives them as being part of disruptive forces that stagnates economic progress. The main tool used by unions to gain advantage against the factory owners such as John Thornton is their influence over strikes by workers. However, Gaskell highlights the inadequacy of this method as seen in the aftermath of workers’ strike in North and South (Stoneman 85). This is exemplified by the reaction of Boucher, a poor worker in the mill factory, towards Higgins the union leader. Boucher feels the union was taking longer in solving prevailing conflict with their employer, a condition that exposes his family to suffering due to starvation (Gaskell 153). Higgins understands Boucher’s frustration while encouraging him to be hopeful of positive results from their strikes warning him not to “turn faint-heart, and go to th’ tyrants seeking work” (Gaskell 184). Gaskell highlights the inadequacy of the unions through Boucher’s bitterness with the Union terming it as “the worser tyrant than e’er th’ masters were” (Gaskell 184). Boucher is worried that the union might have deceived him (and therefore the rest of the workers) into striking especially when they expected John Thornton to come begging them to go back to work at their own wage (Gaskell 184). Eventually, the strike does not work as Thornton hires Irish “knobsticks” who are more desperate to work even for lower wages than the workers had been receiving. Gaskell’s use of the Irish workers indicates the willingness of industrialist to adopt ruthless measures to protect their enterprise even at the expense of the workers. Industrial revolution prospers based on maintaining the cost of labour at the lost point possible for the owners of factors of production to preserve their huge profits. Thornton’s sister underscores this fact through her perception of the new workers who refers to as “poor Irish starvelings” although her concern in not informed by compassion but by John Thornton’s “right to get labour where he could” (Gaskell 207). Given that the strike was perceived as the main alternative for workers represented by Higgins, their rage when John Thornton hires the Irish workers is understandable. Even as the author presents the characters as having different flaws, which lead to the escalation of the situation, she wants the audience to sympathize with the experiences of each group as they seek to maintain their relevance in a competitive world. The function of union in North and South is to create a collective over which their legitimacy can be assessed. Gaskell’s perception of the striking workers can therefore be understood based on her description of the striking workers as they approach John Thornton to express their grievances. Although the novel had established each worker’s plight and legitimate quest for improved pay and working conditions through such characters as Boucher, Bessy and Higgins this legitimacy seems to be lost in the confrontational approach taken by the group (Brantlinger and Thesing, 235). In order to understand Gaskell’s perception of the unionized workers when acting as a group, it is important to analyze her choice of words. Gaskell selects specific words when describing this group noting they were a “maddened crowd,” (Gaskell 205) while elsewhere referring to them as “infuriated multitude” (Gaskell 208). This group arrives at John Thornton’s place with their presence being declared through a “din of angry voices” (Gaskell 207) including “fierce unearthly groans” (Gaskell 208) with their yell being compared with the “demoniac desire of some terrible wild beast for the food that is withheld from his ravening” (Gaskell 210). It takes the autonomous perception of Margaret Hale to decode this rage and to relate their desires respectively. Margaret uses her understanding of some of the workers such as Boucher to explain the situation, as she knew the workers were motivated to act by their “starving children at home” while also hoping for eventual success in their demands for higher wages. Gaskell through the protagonist, Margaret wants the audience to understand the workers not as a collective but as individuals who have needs they want fulfilled for them to lead a sustainable life. For Gaskell, agitating through the unions obliterate workers’ rational assessment of the situation predisposing them to unreasonable acts such as when a stone is thrown hitting Margaret with the one member of the group snapping “Th stone were meant for thee ; but thou wert sheltered behind a woman” (Gaskell 214). The Power of Reconciliation While the situation seems uncontrollable, Margret is presented as a reconciliatory force that moves to calm a crowd that has already threatened violence against the Irish workers and against Thornton. While taking the stand of someone without a stake in the ongoing confrontation, addresses the crowd as people with genuine concerns, which are something Thornton, had failed to do before the situation escalated. In North and South Gaskell does not seek to condemn the technological changes that introduced machines and therefore industrial revolution. The factory owner and the machines are a part of the transforming society and a reality that should be embraced by all for progress to be achieved. The author does not condemn the manufacturing industry but highlights the power of humanity over the prevailing condition as human beings are seen as having the capability either to use the machine for the good of society or to condemn the rest of population into misery. The author reveals the social turbulence emerging from a situation where industrialists fail to appreciate the misery of workers. However, this is not a permanent problem as through the reconciliatory power of Margaret, Thornton increasingly becomes aware of the situations surrounding workers’ demand for improved working conditions. Through painting the Margaret, Thornton and the workers as having different areas of fault, the author indicates that just as the polluted environment, none of the parties is without blemish. Therefore, there is room for the groups to establish a conciliatory approach to solve the disagreements. The power of reconciliation is evident in the growing closeness between Margaret and Thornton initially the two did not see any area of convergence in their worldview and perception about life. Margaret sees Thornton as being harsh with his employees noting “When I see men violent and obstinate in pursuit of their rights, I may safely infer that the master is the same that he is a little ignorant of that spirit which suffereth long, and is kind, and seeketh not her own” (Gaskell 145. Similarly, Thornton has a low opinion of Margaret reflecting that although she was beautiful and interesting to be with, she was also arrogant and for a person who was new, poor and uninformed dismissing her as being “like all strangers who don’t understand the working of our system” (Gaskell 146). Even with the existing personal differences between Margaret and Thornton, the author reconciles the two as seen the continued growth in perception of the other leading to eventual development of love indicating “the belief that the values of north and south could also be married” (Lees 50). However, love and understanding between the two does not grow in a vacuum, but through proactive self-assessment. Margaret accepts Thornton’s confession of love and marriage proposal only after Thornton progresses in character development to be mindful of his responsibility towards the workers due to his social and economic status as the owner of the mill, which is an important source of livelihood for the people. Therefore, reconciliation seems to be an important component for industrial revolution to herald desired results for both the workers and their masters. Involvement in dialogue was important for the parties to “soften hostility and counter alienation” (Uglow 370) which will then lead to the development of social relations that transcend generalization such as masters, and hands. Conclusion This essay is Gaskell’s response to industrialization as evident in the novel North and South with the focus being on the author’s perception reconciliation as an important approach to ending the social unrests of the time. This is proven through existing relationships between different characters who initially have different perceptions and worldviews about the role of workers and masters in society. Towards the final paragraphs of the novel North and South the social distance between these characters reduce as they increase their awareness of the opposite side of the conflict. Margaret the protagonist in the novel acts as a conciliator between the workers the mill owner during a time when both had taken a hard-line stance in the issue of increased wages for the workers. Through her intervention, Thornton softens his stance, which provides a welcoming environment for conversation involving workers such as Higgins with their master. Margaret also changes her perception of Thornton increasing a possibility of the two marrying as they their relationship continues to transform. Works Cited Brantlinger, Patrick, and William Thesing, eds. A companion to the Victorian novel. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Print. Cruttenden, Aidan. The Victorians. London: Evans Brothers, 2003. Print. Gaskell, Elizabeth. North and South. Clement Shorter, Ed. London: Oxford University Press, 1990. Print. Lees, Andrew. Cities perceived: urban society in European and American thought, 1820-1940. Manchester University Press, 1985. Print. Matus, Jill. A Cambridge Campanion to Elizabeth Gaskell: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Moore, Grace. The Victorian Novel in Context. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012. Nash, Julie. Servants and Paternalism in the Works of Maria Edgeworth and Elizabeth Gaskell. Burlington: Ashgate, 2007. Print. Uglow, Jenny. Elizabeth Gaskell A Habit of Stories. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1993. Print. Stoneman, Patsy. Elizabeth Gaskell. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2006. Print. Weiss, Barbara. The Hell of the English: Bankruptcy and the Victorian Novel. Lewisburg, PA: Bucknell University Press, 1986. Print. Read More