Contagion Analysis Paper

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Through Mary Barton, Gaskell is trying to show her readers the problem between class systems, the upper, middle, and lower classes. In Gaskell’s novel she mainly focuses on the middle and lower classes. Mary Barton, her family and friends being in the lower class system and her former lover, Harry Carson, his family, and friends in the middle class. The lower class goes through many struggles in this novel from losing loved ones, losing jobs, and losing basic necessities of life. The middle class, however, only experiences the loss of one person, Harry Carson. The middle and lower classes do not see eye to eye all the time. An example is shown on how the owner and the factory workers have extremely different views on the burning of the mill. While the middle class was not suffering from this those of the lower class most definitely were, “The family music was hungry wails, when week after week passed by” (Gaskell 53). John Barton, being the most bitter towards the wealthy and how the wealth does not even acknowledge the lower class, sells some of his few belonging for shillings and gives those shillings to his friends who were in more need than him. This generosity is not present in the middle class. The mill owner, Mr. Carson who is part of the middle class, thinks that the fire “was an excellent opportunity for refitting their factory with first-rate improvements, for which the insurance-money would amply pay. They were in no hurry about the business, however” (Gaskell 53). He uses this opportunity to think about himself instead of others, like how this tragedy has caused many previous workers jobless. The middle and lower classes are not too fond of each other and make that known to everyone. For example, John Barton, Mary’... ... middle of paper ... ...d with the common religion that the lower class followed, he would still have held a grudge for the death of his son as well as try to take revenge on Barton or Jem Wilson, which was his previous motive before hearing about forgiveness. The two class systems are now beginning to slowly see eye to eye. Gaskell mentions that Mr. Carson wishes to share to others that “the Spirit of Christ” can become the “regulating law between both parties” (335). If faith in God is present in ones life then there should not be any thoughts of class discrimination in ones heart. In both Remember the Titans and Mary Barton indifference is seen to have an effect on either the less fortunate race or class. However, in both works, when a person or group stands up for what is considered “right” or “fair” tolerance or unity begins to form. This outcome overpowers those who are intolerant.

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