Wives and DaughtersWives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel, is regarded by many as her masterpiece. Molly Gibson is the daughter of the doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford. Her widowed father marries a second time to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks, but until the arrival of Cynthia, her dazzling step-sister, Molly finds her situation hard to accept. Intertwined with the story of the Gibsons is that of Squire Hamley and his two sons; as Molly grows up and falls in love she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly's observations the hierarchies, social values, and social changes of early nineteenth-century English life are made vivid in a novel that is timeless in its representation of human relationships. This edition, the first to be based in the original Cornhill Magazine serialization of 1864-6, draws on a full collation of the manuscript to present the most accurate text so far available. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
The Dawn of a Gala Day | 1 |
A Novice amongst the Great Folk 10 220 | 10 |
Molly Gibsons Childhood | 27 |
Copyright | |
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afraid Ashcombe beautiful began better Betty Charlotte Brontë child Clare conversation Cornhill Magazine Cousin Phillis Coxe Cynthia dance daresay daughter dear dinner door drawing-room dress Elizabeth Gaskell eyes face fancy father feel felt flowers friends Gaskell Gaskell's girl give glad gone Hall Hamley's hand heard heart Holybourne kind knew Lady Cumnor Lady Cuxhaven Lady Harriet look Lord Cumnor Lord Hollingford mamma manner marriage married mind Miss Browning Miss Eyre Miss Gibson Miss Kirkpatrick Molly's morning mother never nosegay once Osborne Hamley Osborne's papa perhaps Phœbe pleasant poor Preston pretty replied Roger Hamley round sate seemed senior wrangler Sheepshanks sitting smile speak speech spoke squire squire's sure Sylvia's Lovers talk tell there's things thought told tone took Towers turned voice Whig wife William Gaskell wish woman wonder