Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life

Elizabeth Gaskell

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1848

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface-Chapter 8

Chapters 9-15

Chapters 16-24

Chapters 25-32

Chapters 33-38

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

All chapters of the novel begin with epigraphs, mostly from contemporary poems and novels. How does the inclusion of these quotes influence your reading of the text?

Compare Mary Barton to North and South or Ruth. How is her depiction of this setting different or similar to Mary Barton, and how does this support the unique themes and characters of the novels?

How are familial ties depicted in the novel? How do these family dynamics explore some of the text’s key themes?