Cranford - Elizabeth Gaskell

[Purple Poppy]

KNUTSFORD TIMES

DECEMBER 1853



BOOK REVIEW

CRANFORD - MRS ELIZABETH GASKELL





 

Cranford was initially a work published in 'Household Works', and was only meant to be a short (two chapters) fictional version of an essay

Mrs Gaskell had written called 'The last Generation In England'. However these two chapters, titled 'Our Society In Cranford', (which later became the opening of Cranford), were duly followed by more installments until the whole became a novel, published this year 1853.

 

In many ways Cranford is a reflection of the life of it's author. Elizabeth Gaskell had lost her mother when only 13 months old and had gone to live with an aunt in the sleepy town of Knutsford. Her brother sailed with the East India Company and disappeared. This life event is reflected in Gaskells story of Poor Peter in Cranford, who likewise disappears after sailing away to India. The impact that this event had on Elizabeth can clearly been seen in her writing of the story of Peter. There is much empathy and pathos in the telling of some of the more tragic and sad events of Cranford society which must surely be as a result of the author's own experiences.

 

Each chapter in the book tells a new tale and yet they are all connected and the characters developed throughout. As a child Mrs Gaskell must have observed the habits and idiosyncrasies of her family and the soiety in which they lived out their lives. The way they practised 'elegant economy' and the lengths they went to, to perfect their etiquette and behave in a manner that befitted their status within society. This is reflected in the descriptive passages relating to the usage of candles, the strict procedure set out by the previous mistress of the house, Miss Deborah Jenkyns being adhered to at all times. Likewise, the saving of the remnants of the wine bottle, either mixed with a new bottle and consumed at a later date, or mixed with other numerous bottles and passed on to the less financially well endowed. Reader, it may surprise you to know, that far from being droll, Mrs Gaskells descriptions of such matters are witty, humouous and empathic, the need for such activities clearly relayed and the worthiness endorsed. However, this reader felt that sometimes the narrator, Mary Smith, was silently frustrated, and though not annoyed, would dearly have loved to shake them out of their pecuniary habits.

Mrs Gaskell writes fluently, and reader, if you are of the disposition to prefer concision in all matters, this is not the book for you. Our author writes long, extended sentences, transgressing from her subject only to return and coninue with yet more elaboration. I find this stimulating, but I am aware that many find it an impertinence well avoided. However, to miss these descriptions is to miss the very essence of this magnificent work, which recalls, gently ridicules, admonishes and chides the values of these genteel communities, yet concurrently conveys much affection for the people and the times, now almost lost to the

rise of the industrial age. With humour, respect and deep affection, Mrs Gaskell presents us with a quaint, but perfectly portrayed cameo of polite society a generation ago.

 

I commend this book to serious readers with an interest in social history and I look forward to Mrs Gaskells next contribution.

 

Knutsford Chronicle - PP

 

[Angel]

This book is on my TBR pile - another one I must read soon!

[Renniemist]

Elizabeth Gaskell is another author that I intend to read in 2007. Thanks.

[pontalba]

I only recently added this to my TBR stack and look forward to it even more now I've read this thread.