Ruth Hilton is an orphaned young seamstress who catches the eye of a gentleman, Henry Bellingham, who is captivated by her simplicity and beauty. When she loses her job and home, he offers her comfort and shelter, only to cruelly desert her soon after. Nearly dead with grief and shame, Ruth is offered the chance of a new life among people who give her love and respect, even though they are at first unaware of her secret - an illegitimate child. When Henry enters her life again, however, Ruth must make the impossible choice between social acceptance and personal pride. In writing Ruth, Elizabeth Gaskell daringly confronted prevailing views about sin and illegitimacy with her compassionate and honest portrait of a 'fallen woman'.
Elizabeth Gaskell
Elizabeth Gaskell was a prominent Victorian novelist known for her insightful portrayals of social issues and complex characters. Some of her notable works include "Cranford," "North and South," and "Wives and Daughters." Gaskell's writing style is characterized by its realism and attention to detail, as well as its exploration of class and gender dynamics. She made significant contributions to the development of the Victorian novel, particularly in her exploration of social realism and the lives of working-class individuals. Gaskell's most famous work is "North and South," which is considered a classic of Victorian literature and continues to be widely studied and admired for its social commentary and compelling characters.
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