The Manchester Marriage
The novel revolves around the story of Caroline Helstone, a young and beautiful woman who lives with her uncle, Dr. William Helstone, in the fictional town of Hollingford. Caroline's life changes when she meets and marries Charles Bellingham, a wealthy and charming man from Manchester. However, their marriage is short-lived as Charles dies suddenly, leaving Caroline a widow. The novel explores themes of love, class, and social status as Caroline navigates her new circumstances and finds herself drawn to a local doctor, Edward Holman.
By Elizabeth Gaskell · First published 1858 · Genre: Victorian Literature, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary · 14,050 words
First lines
Mr. and Mrs. Openshaw came from Manchester to London and took the House To Let. He had been, what is called in Lancashire, a Salesman for a large manufacturing firm, who were extending their business, and opening a warehouse in London; where Mr. Openshaw was now to superintend the business. He rather enjoyed the change of residence; having a kind of curiosity about London, which he had never yet been able to gratify in his brief visits to the metropolis. At the same time he had an odd, shrewd, contempt for the inhabitants; whom he had always pictured to himself as fine, lazy people; caring nothing but for fashion and aristocracy, and lounging away their days in Bond Street, and such places; ruining good English, and ready in their turn to despise him as a provincial. The hours that the men of business kept in the city scandalised him too; accustomed as he was to the early dinners of Manchester folk, and the consequently far longer evenings.
What this Textopian page supports
The Manchester Marriage is listed on Textopian as a novella by Elizabeth Gaskell, dated 1858 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
- Date: 1858 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Victorian Literature, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance, Drama
- Length: 14,050 words
- Structure: 1 section, 197 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Manchester Marriage by Elizabeth Gaskell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Via Amoris by Edith Nesbit
- The Unwed Mother To The Wife by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Love And Life by Edith Nesbit
- Guinevere by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Let At Last by Elizabeth Gaskell
Genres
- Victorian Literature — Set in the Victorian era, reflecting societal norms and issues of the time.
- Domestic Fiction — Focuses on family life, marriage, and domestic issues.
- Social Commentary — Addresses social issues such as class and gender roles.
- Romance — Central theme revolves around romantic relationships and marriage.
Tags
Marriage · Social Class · Victorian Era · English Literature · Romance · Tragedy · Family Drama · Women's Rights · Feminism · Societal Expectations · Personal Freedom · Love Triangle