Ruth" is a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1853. It is a powerful and controversial work that deals with themes of social ostracism, redemption, and the harsh realities faced by women in Victorian society. The novel was groundbreaking for its sympathetic portrayal of a "fallen woman" and sparked significant debate upon its release. The protagonist, a young and innocent orphan who falls from societal grace but seeks redemption. A wealthy and charming young man who seduces Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Benson: A kind and compassionate couple who take Ruth in and provide her with a chance for a new life. Leonard: Ruth’s son, born out of wedlock. Ruth Hilton is a beautiful and innocent young woman working as a seamstress in a large town. She meets Henry Bellingham, a wealthy young man who seduces her under the pretense of love. When she becomes pregnant, Bellingham abandons her, leaving Ruth destitute and alone. Ruth is discovered in a state of despair by the benevolent Mr. Benson, a Dissenting minister, and his sister, Faith. The Bensons take Ruth into their home and protect her, presenting her as a widow to preserve her dignity and to shield her from social condemnation. Ruth starts a new life, working as a governess and raising her son, Leonard. Despite her efforts to live virtuously, her past eventually catches up with her, leading to public exposure and ostracism. However, Ruth remains steadfast in her moral integrity and continues to care for her son and the community around her.
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865), also known as Mrs. Gaskell, was a prominent English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. She is best known for her detailed and empathetic portrayal of Victorian society, particularly focusing on the lives of women, the working class, and social issues of the time. Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson was born on September 29, 1810, in Chelsea, London. Her father, William Stevenson, was a Unitarian minister, and her mother, Elizabeth Holland Stevenson, came from a prominent Midlands family. After her mother's death when Elizabeth was just 13 months old, she was sent to live with her aunt, Hannah Lumb, in Knutsford, Cheshire. This town would later serve as inspiration for the fictional Cranford in her writings. Notable Works, "Mary Barton" (1848): A social novel that highlights the struggles of the working class in industrial Manchester."Cranford" (1851-1853): A series of linked sketches portraying life in a small rural town, based on Knutsford. "North and South" (1854-1855): A novel exploring the contrast between the industrial North of England and the more genteel South, focusing on class conflict, industrialization, and gender roles. "Ruth" (1853): A controversial novel about a "fallen woman" who seeks redemption and respectability. "Sylvia's Lovers" (1863): A historical novel set in a coastal town during the Napoleonic Wars, dealing with themes of love and betrayal."Wives and Daughters" (1865): Her final novel, left unfinished at her death, is a coming-of-age story set in a provincial town.
