52 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth GaskellMary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1848A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell follows the life of a young working-class woman in 19th-century Manchester as she navigates love, family struggles, and societal issues during the industrialization era. The narrative focuses on Mary Barton and her relationships with her father, suitors Harry Carson and Jem Wilson, and explores class tensions and political upheaval through her and her family’s experiences. The book discusses child loss and domestic abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell is lauded for its vivid portrayal of 19th-century working-class life and societal issues. Critics praise its emotional depth and social critique, while some find the pacing slow and the melodramatic elements overwhelming. Overall, it is a powerful, empathetic, and significant work in Victorian literature.
Who Should Read Mary Barton?
Readers who enjoy socially conscious novels set in the Victorian era, such as Charles Dickens' Hard Times or Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, will appreciate Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton. This book particularly appeals to those interested in class struggles, industrialization, and richly detailed character studies.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1060L