Introduction

[Trudy]

Having explored the great inequity between the rich and poor in her first novel (Mary Barton - 1848), Gaskell again dives into a serious subject which she feels strongly about in her second novel -- Ruth.

Published in 1853, Ruth details the plight of a girl who is seduced and has a child out of wedlock. The unequal moral and social condemnation which falls upon girls in these situations is a delicate and sore subject for a female writer to take up in the early Victorian years.

Gaskell knew what she was doing, however, and was ready to meet the storm of polite society's rebuff. "An 'unfit subject for fiction' is the thing to say about it; I knew all this before; but I determined to speak my mind out about it; only how I shrink with more pain than I can tell you from what people are saying, though I would do every jot of it over again tomorrow..." (Gaskell's letters)

Ruth was quickly withdrawn from Bell's Library in London, being deemed unsuitable for family reading. Some of Gaskell's own friends deplored the fact that she had written such a book. Reception was mixed in various circles. Although seen as dangerous and improper to some, others championed the book as an attack on the double standard of the day. There were unfavorable and favorable reviews written.

Gaskell suffered great heartache over the initial controversy her book received. She was especially hurt that "good kind people - and women infinitely more than men" seemed against her. But eventually she was able to see that her book had done some good in getting people to "talk and think a little on a subject which is so painful that it requires all one's bravery not to hides one's head like an ostrich and try by doing so to forget that the evil exists." (Gaskell letters)

Gaskell's familiarity with the working classes in Manchester must have allowed her to witness the awful consequences of unwanted pregnancy to young, poor girls. It's a theme that turns up in many of Gaskell's stories. Certainly, her willingness to tackle this hidden moral morass and bring it into the blaring light of day signals that it was a moral issue close to her heart.

I hope you'll enjoy reading Ruth with us.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Thanks for the info Trudy. I was a curious how this book was received in EGs own time.

[Trudy]

I meant to also include a link to a recent Guardian article about 'fallen women' of the Victorian Era. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandsty...

Just in time for our reading of Ruth, there is an exhibition -- Fallen Women -- at the Foundling Museum in London now through early January.

[Donna]

Thanks for this introduction, Trudy. I've already started the book, & it's a fast read for me, as I am really enjoying it! I had previously read Wives & Daughters, but did not like it as much as I do Ruth.
Last night I.watched the movie, The Dutchess, which was the story of the marriage of Georgiana Spencer to the Duke of Devonshire. It was based on their true story, which was heart breaking, to say the least! Talk about a double standard! The Duke was permitted to have his mistress live right there in his residence, while Georgiana was forced to give up the man she loved & the child she had, while the Duke's illegitimate daughter was brought into his house where Georgiana raised her as her own. Women had a terrible injustice brought upon them by the aristocracy of the day & suffered mental & physical anguish at the hands of their "important" husbands. Thank goodness we live in a slightly better world today!

[Louisa]

Thanks for the intro, Trudy!

[Hana]

Looks like I missed a good group read--this must have been about the time GR did it's ghastly font change. I know I'm not the only one who dropped off GR then. Maybe the group should do a re-read of Ruth after we finish Mary Barton.