The Female Bildungsroman: An Analysis of Ruth and Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life by Elizabeth Gaskell

The present dissertation, entitled “The Female Bildungsroman: An Analysis of Ruth and Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life by Elizabeth Gaskell”, examines two novels written in the nineteenth century to explore how these works, although traditionally classified respectively as a social novel and an industrial novel, can be interpreted through different lens when considered the protagonists’ formative journeys. The dissertation is structured in three main chapters, offering a critical reading of the two novels that reflects upon the moral and psychological development of their protagonists. The first chapter provides a historical and literary introduction, analysing the main features of Victorian society in which the two novels were written and published. Subsequently, the origins and development of the Bildungsroman as a genre are traced, starting from its first appearances in Germany through its development across Europe and the emergence of subgenres, including the Female Bildungsroman. Finally, the author of the two novels, Elizabeth Gaskell, is introduced to highlight how her personal experiences influenced the writing of her novel. The second chapter focuses on the analysis of Ruth. After a brief overview of the novel, the protagonist’s formative journey is examined, emphasizing how she changes from a naïve little girl into a mature woman, through social challenges and interpersonal encounters. Then, the analysis reflects upon the pivotal themes that shape Ruth’s moral and spiritual development, including the role of religion, the rigid class division of a patriarchal society, and the disparity between men and women in Victorian England. Finally, the figure of the Fallen Woman is discussed and examined. The third chapter is entirely dedicated to the analysis of Mary Barton, following a similar structure to the previous chapter. First, the novel is briefly introduced, followed by an exploration of Mary’s moral growth and the significance of her transformation. Then, the pivotal topics that influence her development are examined, including the role of religion and justice within the narrative, the representation of womanhood, the consequences of industrialization and the harsh living conditions of the working class. The conclusion compares and emphasises the main features of the two novels as examples of the Female Bildungsroman, highlighting how both works contribute to the understanding of women’s moral development in Victorian era.