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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Influences on Elizabeth Gaskell's representation by her public and private life
- What does the text say?
- Illegitimate children
- The double sexual standard
- Religious hypocrisy
- Unspoken words
- The figure of the prostitute is never mentioned.
- Foreshadowing Ruth's fall and pregnancy.
- Living for the future and facing the past
- Ruth's death.
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines Elizabeth Gaskell's novel *Ruth*, focusing on the portrayal of the "fallen woman" in Victorian England. The author analyzes the influences on Gaskell's representation of this theme, including her personal and professional experiences. The text aims to understand how the novel reflects social issues such as illegitimate children, the double sexual standard, and religious hypocrisy.
- The impact of Gaskell's personal and public life on her writing.
- The representation of illegitimate children in Victorian society.
- The critique of the double sexual standard.
- The depiction of religious hypocrisy.
- The use of symbolism and unspoken words in the novel.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction presents the main theme of *Ruth* as the "fallen woman" in Victorian society, focusing on the character of Ruth, a young, innocent, and orphaned girl who is seduced by a wealthy man and later rescued by a minister. It discusses the novel's broader focus on social problems, including illegitimate children, the double sexual standard, and religious hypocrisy.
The chapter titled "Influences on Elizabeth Gaskell's Representation" examines Gaskell's personal and public life, highlighting her Unitarian upbringing and her involvement in social reform and charity work. This chapter argues that Gaskell's experiences influenced her representation of these themes in *Ruth*.
The "What does the text say?" section focuses on how the novel explores the issues of illegitimate children, the double sexual standard, and religious hypocrisy. It analyzes how Gaskell uses the text to criticize these aspects of Victorian society.
The "Unspoken words" section explores the ways in which Gaskell reveals certain themes through symbolism and unspoken words. This section examines the use of color, natural phenomena, and other literary devices to foreshadow and allude to events.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and topics of this text include: Elizabeth Gaskell, *Ruth*, Victorian literature, fallen woman, social problem novel, illegitimate children, double sexual standard, religious hypocrisy, Unitarianism, social reform, charity work, symbolism, representation.
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- Mona Engl (Autor), 2006, Text Strategy in Elizabeth Gaskell’s "Ruth". The Stated and the Unstated, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/315235
