New Online Reading Workshops Explore the Fascinating World of Literary Double Heroines
Literature lovers are invited to join Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in 2027 for a new series of online reading workshops exploring one of the most intriguing themes in nineteenth-century fiction: duality. Led by the ever-popular Dr Sherry Ashworth, Duality: Joint Heroines, the Pleasures and Problems will examine some of literature’s most memorable female pairings, from sisters and friends to rivals and doubles.
Taking place across five evenings in 2027, these interactive Zoom workshops offer readers the opportunity to delve deeper into classic novels in a welcoming and inclusive setting. Each session focuses on a single novel and explores how authors used paired heroines to illuminate questions of love, class, ambition, morality and identity.
Meet Dr Sherry Ashworth
Sherry is a writer, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, and volunteer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. Her research has explored women who resist and challenge patriarchal expectations, making her the ideal guide to these rich and complex literary relationships. Meet her on Sherry Ashworth | Substack
How does it work?
Before the class, readers will be sent key extracts from the novel under discussion – reading the whole novel is desirable but not essential. After a brief introduction, we use breakout rooms so everyone can have their say. We come together at the end. Whether you are revisiting a favourite novel or encountering it for the first time, the sessions are designed for curious readers who enjoy thoughtful conversation and discovering fresh perspectives on classic texts.
Spaces are expected to fill quickly, so early booking is recommended.
The 2027 programme features an outstanding selection of novels:
- 13 January – Elinor and Marianne in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
- 10 March – Molly and Cynthia in Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
- 12 May – The Two Mrs Rochester’s in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- 8 September – Dorothea Brooke and Rosamond Vincy in Middlemarch by George Eliot
- 10 November – Marian Halcombe and Laura Fairlie in The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The workshops run from 7pm to 9pm on selected Wednesday evenings and cost £14 per session. Numbers are limited to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute, and sessions are not recorded.
Sherry’s previous reading courses have regularly sold out, attracting readers keen to deepen their appreciation of nineteenth-century literature in a friendly and engaging environment.
One recent participant described the experience as:
“Learned so much about 19th century novels I was not familiar with. Sherry is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and engages with all the participants. Very inclusive.”
If you have any questions about this event, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Keep the Pages Turning
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.
