On The North And South, "the Heroine Characterization: Multiple Functions In Marguerite

North and South is one of Mrs. GaskelPs two social problem novels which are directly concerned with "the-condition-of-England" question. Margaret is the central as well as a multi-functional character in the novel and her special quality can be viewed in three aspects: in the story she is drawn away from the supposed female realm, into the dialogues with men and social activities; she is performing the abandoned paternalist role in her family, becoming "parent to the parent"; she is established by the author as a "rescuing heroine" and thus her final union with Thorton represents a new "unity of purpose" between the upper classes.The thesis tries to examine Margaret the heroine through a close look at the multiple role she plays in the narrative from the above three perspectives.