Painting of woman in pink dress with fan being watched at a ball

What's On

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 in literature shock society and defy convention. How do these badly behaved characters make their own way in the world? Are they really mad, bad and dangerous to know? A chance to find out more about some old favourites and perhaps discover some new stories too. Not to be missed!

The discussion will be approx 45 mins long, with time for a short question session afterwards.

Extremely interesting. Sherry is excellent! She is funny, lively, intelligent and compassionate.’ Visitor to previous event

Wednesday 20 September, 7-8pm

£5 per ticket

**Refer to your e-ticket for joining instructions and links. Please check your spam/junk mail for ticket. This talk will also be recorded and all ticketholders will receive a link to the recording via TicketSource after the event.**

You can also support the house by buying Mary Barton from our online shop via this link.

If you have any questions about this event, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the house. If you would like to support the House with an additional donation you can do so via this link..

20th Sep 2023

7pm - 8pm

Talk, Talks

We've got a house...it certainly is a beauty...I must try and make the house give as much pleasure to others as I can.’

Elizabeth Gaskell, in a letter to her friend Eliza Fox in 1850.