Description
Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Ruth was banned and burned for its portrayal of a young woman who had sex before marriage. The story instantly became a ‘prohibited book’, even within her own home.
For modern readers, there is no explicit sex in the book so it may be hard to understand the outraged response. What made Ruth such a dangerous book?
Join Elizabeth Williams as she reveals the truth about Victorian attitudes to female sexuality and their impact on real women’s lives. Discover what drove Elizabeth Gaskell to write such a novel from her real life experiences. Plus you can find references to contemporary life and fiction from Charles Dickens and George Eliot to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. There is even a little Jane Austen. Perfect for finding out more about the ‘Fallen Woman’ within Victorian life and literature.
Part of Ruth Season.
‘Elizabeth conveyed her intimate knowledge of Gaskell’s life and works lightly and easily. I learnt a lot, quickly and effortlessly.’ Visitor to previous event.
Originally recorded May 2025.
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Celebrating the life and literature of Elizabeth Gaskell, Manchester’s most famous Victorian writer. A restored Victorian middle-class house in the heart of a UNESCO City of Literature.
House, Garden and Tea Room open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm (last entry 3pm). Second-hand books also on sale from the House.
Pre-booking advised via the website.
Please note we are not able to ship outside of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
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