Thematic Concerns Reflecting Ramifications of Industrialization in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton

Abstract

As an immediate result of industrialization, which actually started in the 18th century, many significant shifts have occurred in European history. The purpose of this paper is to look at the effects of industrialization on Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester, Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel.  tells the story of the Victorian working and middle class in Manchester. To create a portrait of an industrial zone and the lives of its inhabitants, Gaskell primarily depicted the suffering of labourers with the wealth of the manufacturers. This paper looks at Gaskell's practical rather than theoretical response to the situation, which contributed to the widening gap between the rich and the poor, which manifested itself in the manner of adversity, marginalisation, and deprivation among industrial workers.