Blogs & News

: Online Talk: Valentines- Mr Thornton V Mr Darcy

In this lively online event we take a closer look at two of literature’s best loved heroes – Mr Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South and Mr Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Sit back and enjoy a Valentine's treat as we celebrate two delicious literary leading men. Discover how our heroes compare and contrast as they maintain their honour and overcome challenges to win the heart of their leading ladies, Margaret Hale and Lizzy Bennet.

: Online Talk: From Mary Barton to The Secret Garden – Elizabeth Gaskell and Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett is best known for her children's books The Secret Garden (1911) and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1888) but she first made her name with industrial novels That Lass o' Lowrie's (1877) and Haworth's (1879). That Lass o' Lowrie's tells the story of a remarkable 'pit brow lassie' (woman coal worker) Joan Lowrie, while Haworth's offers a rags to riches to rags tale from the foundry floor. Manchester-born Burnett admired Elizabeth Gaskell and here Professor Sanders explores how her industrial novels reflect both Mary Barton (1848) and North

: Online Talk: Literary Heroines

A celebration of Mary Barton and some of the greatest 19th century literary heroines by women writers including Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell. Focusing on heroines Mary Barton, Jane Eyre and Anne Elliot in Persuasion, this talk shows how these writers force us to question our views of 19th century women. Why are we drawn to Mary Barton and these others? What sets these characters apart? Do they all break the rules and challenge convention? And

: Online Talk: Bad Women

‘Revenge may be wicked, but it's perfectly natural.’ Becky Sharpe, Vanity Fair, 1847 The stereotype of the Victorian woman is that of a domestic angel, pure, innocent and a helpmate to her husband. But the women in this talk challenge that with a vengeance! Enjoy a look at the dark side with the bad women of Vanity Fair, Mary Barton, Little Dorrit, Daniel Deronda and many more. Join Sherry Ashworth for a look at how the worst women

: Online Talk: Passion and Propriety – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Fashion

Elizabeth Gaskell had a love of fashion, enjoying foreign styles on her travels, and a fan of beautiful shawls and patterns at home. This talk by Margo Singer looks at Elizabeth's conflicting reactions to contemporary fashions in her letters and novels, as she sought to reconcile her desire for conservative dress for her daughters, and re-use of old clothes, with her natural love of fashion and style. Tickets £5 ‘Excellent... The speaker's knowledge of the times was fascinating