Cranford - A micro analysis of pages 1-4

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Hilary Brocks 12MM

‘Cranford’ Micro Analysis

Pages 1 – 4 from “In the first place” to “she did practise such ‘elegant economy’ ”

Word Count 1,220 (excluding quotes)

‘Cranford’ by Elizabeth Gaskell is a traditional Victorian regional novel, focussing on a small community and specifically the ‘Cranford’ ladies.  It has simple morals and the language used is typical of the era; highly descriptive, with the use of long, detailed sentences.  I have chosen to analyse the opening passage as it contains examples of many of the themes and motifs of the novel and prepares the reader for the tone of the novel.  

Written in the first person, the narrator, Mary Smith, is writing an account from her point of view about the happenings that occur over the years in this small town. ‘Cranford’ is based on the author’s own experiences of growing up in Knutsford and the narrator is probably Gaskell herself.  ‘Cranford ‘appears to be an attractive, humorous and nostalgic piece that depicts the life of a small community in the north of England but it could be argued that it has a sarcastic, satirical and highly critical sub-text.  Gaskell wrote her novel to cater for a very specific niche of reader. Similar perhaps to the ladies of Cranford.

There is very little action in the opening of the novel, Gaskell introduces the reader to the residents of ‘Cranford’ using detailed descriptions of their behaviour and social practices, clearly defining the main characters of the novel to be strong women setting the tone of the novel.  Dickens ‘Bleak House’ is similar in that there is very little action in the opening chapter but whereas Gaskell focuses on the characters Dickens gives lengthy descriptions of the setting. “Smoke lowering down from chimney-pots making a soft black drizzle, with flakes of soot in it as big as full-grown snow-flakes – gone into mourning, one might imagine, for the death of the sun.” (p13)  From the offset it is clear that although both novels are from the same era there content and tone are completely dissimilar.

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There are many indications that Gaskell is gently mocking the ladies in this extract.  Female emancipation is one of the main themes of the novel and Gaskell makes many points of the strength of women, particularly how they are selfless and controlled.  This can be seen when we learn of Miss Jessie’s and Miss Matty marriage refusals and how this effects their lives.  However, Gaskell states that Cranford is ‘in the possession of the Amazons’ (p5).  She uses this image to compare a community of middle-aged, delicate and upper class ladies to mythical, powerful, warrior women which is highly comical ...

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