Gaskell Blog © Katherine C. Born into a Scottish family with a strong Naval background his Post-Captain father, Joseph Stevenson, dearly wanted a son in the church and decided his second child, William, would be the one. It must have been difficult growing up with his future already planned. Especially when he seems to have longed…
Tag: English Literature
The Picnic at Cranford, a blog tour: 1st stop
Kim of Love Letters to the Library has brought a charming treat for us on our picnic outing! Let us go and see! …And now, I promised sweet treats! My favorite type of treat is a good love story. I’m a real sucker for them. In my copy of North and South, I’ve turned down…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford: Chronology of Publication in Household Words
© Gaskell Blog Cranford has often been criticized for its lack of coherency; taking a look at its publishing history and the gaps between publications perhaps helps us better understand. Regardless it’s remembered and Mrs. Gaskell’s classic work and its popularity has kept her other works in print. In between juggling her work for the church,…
Schedule of The Picnic at Cranford, a Blog Tour
Thank you for joining us on our picnic! Visit us again each Wednesday and Saturday throughout October as we enjoy the lovely days of beautiful fall weather in Mrs. Gaskell’s Cranford. 1st Katherine Gaskell Blog: Cranford chronology 5th here: Analysis – The Old World vs. New 8th Kim Love Letters to the Library 12th here:…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth: Chapter Twelve – Analysis
Gaskell Blog © Guest Contributor: Kim Egolf Brief Summary Miss Benson finally makes up her mind to care for Ruth. It is she who puts in Mr Benson’s head the idea about taking Ruth to live with them in their hometown of Eccleston. Though she presents all the counter-arguments in a lengthy discussion, he eventually…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth: Ch. 13 Annotation – The Story of Henry II and Queen Eleanor
Gaskell Blog © Guest Contributor: Kim Egolf [Ruth] had let down her long waving glossy hair, and was standing absorbed in thought in the middle of the room, when she heard a round clumping knock at her door… in walked Sally, with a judge-like severity of demeanour, holding in her hand two widow’s caps of…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth: Ch. 10 Annotation – The Value of 50 Pounds
Gaskell Blog © Guest Contributor: Kim Egolf Money in classic novels confuses me. When I am reading something — generally Victorian literature — I tend to tell myself in regards to money: It was a long time ago; the value of money was different. From many readings of Jane Eyre, I can tell you that…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth: Chapter Ten – Analysis
Gaskell Blog © Guest Contributor: Kim Egolf Brief Summary Mr Benson – the deformed gentleman – determines to help Ruth, especially as she cannot currently help herself. She remains silent and nearly unconscious of the outside world, taking nothing to eat and barely breathing. He visits Mrs Morgan’s inn to ask advice about Ruth’s current…
Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth: Ch. 9 Annotation – Ruth and The Merchant of Venice
Gaskell Blog © Guest Contributor: Kim Egolf Elizabeth Gaskell — like many Victorian writers — had a wealth of information available in her mind for ready recall whenever the occasion warranted. When reading any of her novels or short stories, the breadth of her knowledge is immediately apparent. In Ruth, she quotes from the Bible…
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