Pride and Prejudice Fan?
Posted
25th February 2025
in blog, Blogs & News, Literature
If you’re a fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, then Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South is your next go-to. Both novels explore themes of romance, personal growth, and class tension, but they unfold in very different settings.
In Pride and Prejudice, the drama takes place in the picturesque countryside of Regency-era England. Elizabeth Bennet, sharp-witted and independent, clashes with the proud and wealthy Mr Darcy. As the story develops, their misunderstandings are cleared up, and a classic enemies-to-lovers romance blossoms between them.
North and South, on the other hand, is set in the industrial North of England, far from the traditional charm of the South. The story follows Margaret Hale, who moves from her peaceful country paradise to the gritty, factory town of Milton. Here, she meets Mr Thornton, a mill owner with a tough exterior but a softer, more vulnerable side. Much like Darcy, Thornton’s aloofness and apparent apathy towards his workers create tension between the leads, despite the undeniable attraction between them. However, as the plot unfolds, both characters gradually reveal their true feelings and confront their differences.
Both novels explore the divide between social classes and the battle between personal desires and social expectations. While Pride and Prejudice focuses on the distinctions between the genteel, pre-industrial micro-societies of England, North and South looks at the stark contrast between the industrial North and the more refined South, with their conflicting values and the fray between old money and new. Both heroines — Elizabeth and Margaret — are strong, independent women who challenge gender barriers, while both men — Darcy and Thornton (both frightfully handsome, by the way, on the page and on-screen) — grow and evolve as they confront their flaws and become the heroes we all swoon for.
So, if you love Pride and Prejudice’s sharp social commentary, headstrong heroine, and slow-burning romance, North and South offers the same winning formula, with a touch of industrial drama and the occasional steam train.
Blog by Caroline Malcolm-Boulton
As well as being a big fan of North and South, Caroline is a freelance writer, journalist and published fanfiction writer. She can be found on Facebook as The Scribbler CMB.
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. Discover how our heroes compare and contrast as they maintain their honour and overcome challenges to win the heart of their leading ladies
