‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South
This paper explores the relevance of borders in relation to Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, a novel which, from its title, invites to consider ideas of geographical, social, and cultural divisions, and the role and pertinence of borders, be they physical or imaginary. Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel,...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Presses Universitaires de la Méditerranée
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Cahiers Victoriens et Edouardiens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/cve/16136 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849734547079430144 |
|---|---|
| author | Jeanne Barangé |
| author_facet | Jeanne Barangé |
| author_sort | Jeanne Barangé |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the relevance of borders in relation to Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, a novel which, from its title, invites to consider ideas of geographical, social, and cultural divisions, and the role and pertinence of borders, be they physical or imaginary. Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, through its dichotomous representation of England, puts into light a cultural ‘battle’ between North and South, embodied by the growing tension between the main characters, John Thornton and Margaret Hale. This conflict puts forth not only economic and social concerns, but also the definition of national identity, and the prevalence of the most authentic version of Englishness. Through the union of Margaret and John, the depiction of the consequences of a partial understanding of others, and the emphasis on the dangers of overindulging in one’s local pride, the novel strives for national unity. The imaginary border between North and South is thus displaced in order to enlarge the definition of Englishness, so as to include local colour, without erasing cultural specificities. Gaskell suggests that a reconciliation between national unity—the cornerstone of Englishness—and seemingly opposed regional ideals can be achieved through the recognition of the Other’s value, and this Other has many faces in North and South. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5a3cc80141b44a68bfb3ec4ce496cf2a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0220-5610 2271-6149 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Presses Universitaires de la Méditerranée |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cahiers Victoriens et Edouardiens |
| spelling | doaj-art-5a3cc80141b44a68bfb3ec4ce496cf2a2025-08-20T03:07:46ZengPresses Universitaires de la MéditerranéeCahiers Victoriens et Edouardiens0220-56102271-61492025-04-0110110.4000/13qt9‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and SouthJeanne BarangéThis paper explores the relevance of borders in relation to Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, a novel which, from its title, invites to consider ideas of geographical, social, and cultural divisions, and the role and pertinence of borders, be they physical or imaginary. Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, through its dichotomous representation of England, puts into light a cultural ‘battle’ between North and South, embodied by the growing tension between the main characters, John Thornton and Margaret Hale. This conflict puts forth not only economic and social concerns, but also the definition of national identity, and the prevalence of the most authentic version of Englishness. Through the union of Margaret and John, the depiction of the consequences of a partial understanding of others, and the emphasis on the dangers of overindulging in one’s local pride, the novel strives for national unity. The imaginary border between North and South is thus displaced in order to enlarge the definition of Englishness, so as to include local colour, without erasing cultural specificities. Gaskell suggests that a reconciliation between national unity—the cornerstone of Englishness—and seemingly opposed regional ideals can be achieved through the recognition of the Other’s value, and this Other has many faces in North and South.https://journals.openedition.org/cve/16136Gaskell (Elizabeth)englishnessbordersnational identitynorth and south |
| spellingShingle | Jeanne Barangé ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South Cahiers Victoriens et Edouardiens Gaskell (Elizabeth) englishness borders national identity north and south |
| title | ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South |
| title_full | ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South |
| title_fullStr | ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South |
| title_short | ‘Yo’r a Stranger and a Foreigner’: Negotiating the Borders of Englishness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South |
| title_sort | yo r a stranger and a foreigner negotiating the borders of englishness in elizabeth gaskell s north and south |
| topic | Gaskell (Elizabeth) englishness borders national identity north and south |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/cve/16136 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeannebarange yorastrangerandaforeignernegotiatingthebordersofenglishnessinelizabethgaskellsnorthandsouth |