What's On

Discussion: Elizabeth Gaskell’s Short Stories – Christmas Storms and Sunshine

It was the day before Christmas; such a cold east wind! such an inky sky! such a blue-black look in people’s faces…

Christmas Storms and Sunshines

Cats, babies and sausages – what more could you want from a Christmas tale?

“My dear, I wish for turkey and sausages. It may be a weakness, but I own I am partial to sausages.” So says Mr Jenkins, arch-nemesis of fellow lodger Mr Hodgson, at the start of Elizabeth Gaskell’s short story of Christmas quarrels, written in 1848.

This seasonal short story, with a wonderfully-evocative domestic setting, has all the ingredients (including the sausages!) of a satisfying seasonal tale: two feuding families, a Christmas dinner in peril, and a suitably salutary finale.

Join Dr Diane Duffy for a lively discussion about this fine festive story, and start December with some Victorian Christmas spirit.

 

Included in House ticket

1st Dec 2019

1pm - 1.45pm

Talks, Workshops

Plans are like a card-house-if one gives way, all the others come rattling about your head

Elizabeth Gaskell, 1864