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 and I believe Gaskells point is to mock the ladies as to the position of power and status they perceive themselves to have.
Another image used in this satirical manner is “they were like the Spartans” (p7) who were citizens of an ancient Greek state noted for their austerity, discipline and military power. This seems even more comical in that the ladies lives are being compared to a strict military society. There is further evidence of this when Gaskell states “there were rules and regulations visiting and calls; and they were announced to any young people, who might be staying in the town.”(p6) This emphasises the ladies ‘prim and proper’ nature and as well as showing the importance of correct social behaviour in the Victorian era. This statement suggests images of ‘smirking’ youngsters trying to not laugh as they are dictated to with a lengthily list of do’s and don’ts. As the reader is made to question their own attitudes and it could be argued that Gaskell is mocking the reader in addition to the ‘Cranford’ ladies. Gaskell also uses a play on language to show further the strictness of the ‘Cranford’ ladies way of life. An example of this is the word “elegant economy.”(p8) Elegant usually referring to something stylish and graceful can also mean precisely judged and Gaskell is being ironic by using expression.
In addition to this Gaskell also makes a point of drawing attention to the rules by emphasising the condescending tone used by the ladies. A ‘Cranford’ lady might say “I dare say your mama has told you, my dear,” (p6) which is not only comical but also reflects the age of the narrator as she appears to be much younger than the residents she is writing about. This can be seen later in the novel for example when the ladies visit Mr Holbrook “When Mr Holbrook returned he proposed a walk in the fields; but the two elder ladies were afraid of the damp, and dirt.”(p44)
Gaskell also mocks the concept of paying a call to someone by making it clear that the only thought in the visitors mind is the timing. The entire exercise becomes pointless “As everybody had this rule in their minds, whether they received or paid a call, of course no absorbing subject was ever spoken about. We kept ourselves to short sentences of small talk, and were punctual to out time.” (p7) Gaskell could be making a critical as well as a satirical point here. Women were generally uneducated and it was thought that their minds were unable to cope with sophisticated topics of conversation. Gaskell was a highly intelligent and intellectual woman, close to other literary and historical figures such as Charlotte Bronte, Harriet Martineau and Florence Nightingale and the idea of ‘small talk’ undermined the intellectual prowess of such female thinkers.
It is commonplace to be frugal in this era and Gaskell includes this as a motif in the novel. Although she is not critical about the practice itself the language she uses could be construed as satirical. It is said that the Cranfordians had community spirit “which made them overlook all deficiencies in success when some among them tried to conceal their poverty.” (p7). She refers to Mrs Forrester’s residence as a “Baby-House” (p7) and shows how the ladies pretend to be ignorant to her poverty and continue to talk “about household forms and ceremonies, as if we all believed that our hostess had a regular servants hall, second table, with housekeeper and steward.” (p7). Although Gaskell does not portray their poverty as humorous, the ladies conscious state of oblivion is very comical particularly when Gaskell points out Mrs Forrester “who now sat in state, pretending not to know what cakes were to be sent up; though she knew, and we knew, and she knew that we knew, and we knew that she knew that we knew, she had been busy all morning making tea-bread and sponge-cakes.” (p7) The fact that the ladies deliberately ignore this to save face of their friend is very humorous as it is clear nothing has been saved at all. This situation shows how important manners and behaviour are, which is also a theme of the whole novel.
Throughout the novel, Gaskell’s sub-text continues to be highly critical. She shows how mundane the ladies life must be and criticises their coping mechanisms. It is clear that Gaskell shows the strength of women but she also shows their weaknesses. It seems that she is trying to show that although the ‘Cranford ladies’ are prim and proper, they are also stereotypical women in the sense that they are gossips as Gaskell states they are skilful at “Obtaining clear and correct knowledge of everybody’s affairs in the parish.” (p5). And also that “the ladies of Cranford know all each other’s proceedings.” (p5). Furthermore Gaskell shows how dull their everyday lives must be as they have to squabble over minor complaints to keep their lives from becoming stale “The Cranford ladies have only an occasional little quarrel, spirted out in a few peppery words and angry jerks of the head; just enough to prevent the even tenor of their lives from becoming too flat.” (p6). This too is highly critical as it portrays the ladies as unable to cope with real issues and have to pretend to have full lives, again this makes the reader question their values.
Furthermore Gaskell’s states the inhabitants of ‘Cranford’ “kept early hours, and clattered home in their pattens, under the guidance of the lantern-bearer, about nine o’clock at night: and the whole town was abed and asleep by half-past ten.” The inhabitants of ‘Cranford’ all follow the same pattern of behaviour, with everyone conforms to the strict routine and Gaskell appears to be criticising the lack of individuality of the ladies as they all act like sheep.
In conclusion although ‘Cranford’ is a charming, nostalgic piece I do believe that Gaskell’s intention was to challenge the role of women at home and in society. By subtly mocking the daily ‘toils’ of the ‘Cranford’ ladies she showing how pointless and mundane their lives could be. No real or important issues are reflected in this novel, the impact of the industrial revolution, the distress of the poor or the ongoing campaigns for equal rights for women. The ‘Cranford’ ladies exist in a bubble that is only affected by the influence of the outside by death and bankruptcy. She shows Miss Matty left helpless without the privilege of an education and left alone to due her self-sacrifice. By showing this she makes a subtle point to her readers showing that this could happen to anyone of them and maybe hoping that this would be a more powerful message rather than a novel concerning extreme feminist views.