Contents introduction The role of critical realism in english literature of 19 century

"Mary, Jaron" (1848), as a pathetic picture of working-class life in Manchester in the hungry years of 1839—1841 won praise from many progressive writers. Mrs. Gaskell was horrified by the bad conditions in which the poor lived. She filled pages of her book with the description of ragged and starving workers and their families and showed their struggle with the pitiless employers. In the preface to the book its author writes: "I had always felt a deep sympathy with the careworn men, who looked as if doomed to struggle through their lives in strange alternations between work and want, tossed to and fro by. circumstances."
Mrs. Gaskell believed that good employers and social reforms could improve the terrible conditions of the workers. Then perfect understanding, confidence and love would exist between them and their masters.
The main hero of the novel is John Barton. He is a weaver, "a thorough specimen of a Manchester man" and a chartist. He was born of factory workers, and lives among the mills in the dirty and gloomy town. His features are strongly marked and their expression is extreme earnestness and enthusiasm, resolute either for good or evil. John Barton hates the rich and is always ready to help other workers who are poorer and more miserable than his family. The suffering of the workers is unendurable. But they believe the government knows nothing of their misery. A pe­tition is framed and signed by thousands of workers. Lifework, anxious and hungry men are the delegates to convey the petition to the government. One of them is John Barton. The government rejects the petition. The workers' disappointment is great. The in^ justice and desperation in the factory workers turns into revenge upon the rich' whose fortunes they have helped to build up and who often mock at them. The Manchester weavers decide to kill their employer's son, Harry Carson. Lots are cast, and it is John Barton who is to do it.
Elizabeth Gaskell is against violence and harshness. She shows that John Barton repents of what he has done. "He acted to the best of his judgement, but it was a widely-erring judgement.. He was actuated by no selfish motives, his class, his order was what he stood by."
John has a daughter, Mary. She loves a young worker, Jem Wilson, but for a time was carried away by Harry Carson. Jem is arrested in charge of murder: his gun has been found near the place where Harry lay dead. He might have killed Harry out of jealousy. Mary knows that the murderer is her father. But to save Jem would mean to betray her father. In the end she finds a way how to prove Jem's innocence. He is let free. John Barton con­fesses to Harry's father that he had murdered his son. His own misfortune makes Mr. Carson understand the causes that drove the weaver to desperation and crime, and he forgives him.