Gaskell’s work Ruth deals with the central theme of the fallen woman at Victorian times. Ruth tells the story of a young innocent and orphaned girl that is seduced by a well-off noble man, Mr. Bellingham, who deserts her in the end. Left alone and pregnant she is willing to kill herself, but eventually rescued by the Dissenter minister, Mr. Benson.
Ruth is often referred to as a social problem novel (Pike 15) but it is more than that. Beyond it, the novel treats the problems of illegitimate children, the double sexual standard and religious hypocrisy.
My attempt is, first, to show how Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel was influenced by her private and public life, which means how these influences are reflected in her representation in Ruth. In this section I will look at her upbringing, her Unitarian belief and her public charity work.
Second, I will analyse how the three above mentioned issues (illegitimate children, the double sexual standard and religious hypocrisy) are treated in Ruth and what criticism E. Gaskell expresses in connection with these three topics; especially, through the text in her novel. Thus, I will articulate the things, the text does say.
Next, I will state what the text does not say. That means how the unspoken things, which must not be said, are revealed through other means and methods. Hence, I will examine the way E. Gaskell uses colours and natural phenomenon to foreshadow and point to certain unpleasant or agreeable events that will penetrate into her life.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Influences on Elizabeth Gaskell’s representation by her public and private life
2. What does the text say?
2.1. Illegitimate children
2.2. The double sexual standard
2.3 Religious hypocrisy
3. Unspoken words
3.1. The figure of the prostitute is never mentioned
3.2. Foreshadowing Ruth’s fall and pregnancy
3.3 Living for the future and facing the past
3.4. Ruth’s death
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Ruth, focusing on how the author’s personal and public background influenced her depiction of the "fallen woman" in Victorian society, while exploring how she uses symbolism and "unspoken" narrative strategies to critique contemporary societal norms.
- The influence of Unitarianism on Gaskell's social perspective.
- Critique of the double sexual standard and religious hypocrisy.
- The symbolic use of color and nature to foreshadow character development.
- The social perception of illegitimate children in the 19th century.
- The narrative strategy of discussing controversial themes without naming them.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. The figure of the prostitute is never mentioned
We have learned that the book is about fallen women and therefore it would be normal to expect that the word “prostitute” or “prostitution” is mentioned in the novel. However, this is not the case. The problem of prostitution is never discussed but rather hinted at. Gaskell was aware that “if […] [she] had made Ruth a prostitute […] [the Victorian reader] would have objected strongly and perhaps even refused to read such a book” (Fryckstedt 164). Gaskell even refused to pronounce the word. She always chose other formulations or just left out the embarrassing moments. For instance, she leaves out the lovers’ stay in London and just goes on to write about their time in North Wales. Nevertheless, Jenny, the landlady, recognizes rightly: “’Indeed! and she's not his wife […] that's clear as day’” (Gaskell 64). Then, Gaskell says that “Ruth was quite unconscious of being the object of remark […] and never looked at the doors and windows, where many watchers stood observing her, and commenting upon her situation or her appearance” (Gaskell 69, 70). Her situation was that she was Mr Bellingham’s lover, whereas Gaskell’s remark of her appearance hinted at her pregnancy, which I will refer to later, once again. Also, the reaction and comment of little Harry, who hits Ruth on the face and says that she is “not a lady […] [but] a bad, naughty girl”, gives an idea of how Ruth was regarded by the others in the town, namely, a mistress.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section introduces the central theme of the fallen woman in Victorian times and outlines the paper's intent to explore Gaskell's personal influences, her social criticism, and her unique literary techniques.
1. Influences on Elizabeth Gaskell’s representation by her public and private life: The chapter details how Gaskell’s upbringing, Unitarian faith, and her independent lifestyle as a woman shaped the moral perspective presented in her novel.
2. What does the text say?: This chapter analyzes Gaskell’s overt criticism of societal attitudes toward illegitimate children, the double sexual standard between men and women, and the hollow nature of religious hypocrisy.
3. Unspoken words: This chapter investigates how Gaskell conveys controversial themes like prostitution and character foreshadowing through symbolism, color, and natural phenomena rather than direct explicit description.
Conclusion: The chapter synthesizes how Gaskell uses her narrative to call for a change in societal thinking while acknowledging her decision to have Ruth die as a reflection of the era's intolerance.
Keywords
Elizabeth Gaskell, Ruth, Victorian Literature, Fallen Woman, Unitarianism, Illegitimate Children, Double Sexual Standard, Religious Hypocrisy, Symbolism, Social Reform, Prostitution, Redemption, Foreshadowing, Gender Roles, 19th Century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth, analyzing how personal and societal influences shaped the work, while also investigating the author's subtle narrative strategies used to critique Victorian moral standards.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the societal treatment of "fallen women," the legitimacy of children born out of wedlock, the double standard applied to male and female sexual behavior, and religious hypocrisy.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study explores how Gaskell expresses social criticism both through explicit narrative content and through "unspoken" methods like symbolism and atmospheric cues to navigate strict Victorian reading expectations.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the novel within Gaskell's biography (Unitarian influence) and the cultural debates of the Victorian era, supplemented by contemporary literary criticism.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers biographical influences, the analysis of moral issues like the double sexual standard and religious hypocrisy, and the specific use of nature and color to mirror the protagonist’s inner journey.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Elizabeth Gaskell, Victorian Literature, Fallen Woman, Social Reform, Symbolism, and Gender Roles.
Why did Gaskell choose not to use the word "prostitute" in her novel?
Gaskell avoided the term to prevent an immediate rejection of the novel by Victorian readers who would have deemed the subject matter unfit for fiction, opting instead for indirect references and metaphorical language.
How does the author interpret Ruth’s death at the end of the novel?
The author interprets Ruth's death as a consequence of Gaskell's inability to reconcile the protagonist's integration into society, suggesting that the era offered no space for a "redeemed" fallen woman to live freely.
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- Mona Engl (Autor:in), 2006, Text Strategy in Elizabeth Gaskell’s "Ruth". The Stated and the Unstated, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/315235
