Mary Barton is the first novel by English author Elizabeth Gaskell, published in 1848. The story is set in the English city of Manchester during the 1830s and 1840s and deals heavily with the difficulties faced by the Victorian lower class.
The novel begins in Manchester, where we are introduced to the Bartons and the Wilsons, two working class families. John Barton reveals himself to be a great questioner of the distribution of wealth and the relation between the rich and the poor. He also relates how his sister-in-law Esther has disappeared after she ran away from home.
Soon afterwards Mrs Barton dies, and John is left with his daughter Mary to cope in the harsh world around them. Having already been deeply affected by the loss of his son Tom at a young age, after the death of his wife, Barton tackles depression and begins to involve himself in the Chartist movement connected with the trade unions. (summary from Wikipedia)
The novel begins in Manchester, where we are introduced to the Bartons and the Wilsons, two working class families. John Barton reveals himself to be a great questioner of the distribution of wealth and the relation between the rich and the poor. He also relates how his sister-in-law Esther has disappeared after she ran away from home.
Soon afterwards Mrs Barton dies, and John is left with his daughter Mary to cope in the harsh world around them. Having already been deeply affected by the loss of his son Tom at a young age, after the death of his wife, Barton tackles depression and begins to involve himself in the Chartist movement connected with the trade unions. (summary from Wikipedia)
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
A Mysterious Disappearance
26:59 - Chapter 2
A Manchester Tea-Party.
14:59 - Chapter 3
John Barton's Great Trouble.
22:05 - Chapter 4
Old Alice's History.
25:23 - Chapter 5
The Mill On Fire--Jem Wilson To The Rescue.
48:13 - Chapter 6
Poverty And Death.
46:09 - Chapter 7
Jem Wilson's Repulse.
19:46 - Chapter 8
Margaret's Debut As A Public Singer.
37:45 - Chapter 9
Barton's London Experiences.
35:55 - Chapter 10
Return Of The Prodigal.
31:37 - Chapter 11
Mr. Carson's Intentions Revealed.
33:05 - Chapter 12
Old Alice's Bairn.
20:51 - Chapter 13
A Traveller's Tales.
25:25 - Chapter 14
Jem's Interview With Poor Esther.
29:52 - Chapter 15
A Violent Meeting Between The Rivals.
40:42 - Chapter 16
Meeting Between Masters And Workmen.
22:46 - Chapter 17
Barton's Night Errand.
27:03 - Chapter 18
Murder.
24:06 - Chapter 19
Jem Wilson Arrested On Suspicion.
25:30 - Chapter 20
Mary's Dream--And The Awakening.
17:45 - Chapter 21
Esther's Motive In Seeking Mary.
24:21 - Chapter 22
Mary's Efforts To Prove An Alibi.
28:06 - Chapter 23
The Sub-Poena.
30:12 - Chapter 24
With The Dying.
19:06 - Chapter 25
Mrs. Wilson's Determination.
19:47 - Chapter 26
The Journey To Liverpool.
07:32 - Chapter 27
In The Liverpool Docks.
16:10 - Chapter 28
"John Cropper," Ahoy!
15:27 - Chapter 29
A True Bill Against Jem.
11:43 - Chapter 30
Job Legh's Deception.
10:11 - Chapter 31
How Mary Passed The Night.
12:32 - Chapter 32
The Trial And Verdict--"Not Guilty!"
42:18 - Chapter 33
Requiescat In Pace.
28:54 - Chapter 34
The Return Home.
32:05 - Chapter 35
"Forgive Us Our Trespasses."
34:02 - Chapter 36
Jem's Interview With Mr. Duncombe.
15:28 - Chapter 37
Details Connected With The Murder.
21:25 - Chapter 38
Conclusion.
11:51