Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) Click Here for Audio Version
This classic by Elizabeth Gaskell seemed like such a bore in the first few pages, that I read only 2-3 pages at a time for a few days, but after persevering through the first few chapters, “Wives and Daughters” turned into quite an entertaining look into the lives and thoughts of English gentry and the middle-class.
Set in 1830s England, “Wives and Daughters” begins by introducing the primary protagonist, Molly Gibson, the 12-year-old daughter of a widowed country doctor who lives in Hollingford, a fictional town. The first chapter revolves around Molly attending a social event at ‘The Towers,’ the residence of the affluent Cumnor family. At first the little girl is very excited to be going there, but Molly’s excitement takes a turn when she falls asleep in the garden, only to awaken and realize she has been left behind by the women supposed to escort her home. Molly is faced with the daunting possibility of having to spend the night at the unfamiliar place, but thankfully her father arrives late in the evening to take her back home, establishing the strong bond within the father and daughter.
Next, we encounter Molly as a sweet sixteen-year-old, abruptly sent to spend time with the Hamleys after Mr. Gibson intercepts a love letter from one of his medical apprentices intended for Molly, determined to halt the budding romance. Unaware of her admirer, young Molly begins to warm up to the Hamleys, a family with two young sons both studying at Cambridge. Soon, she forges a close friendship with the gentle Roger Hamley, the younger of the scholarly brothers.
The main conflict in this novel stems from Molly’s father marrying Mrs. Claire Kirkpatrick, a widow who worked as a governess for wealthy families to make ends meet. Molly is upset that her father chooses to marry again, even though Mr. Gibson does so purely for the sake of his daughter, hoping that his new wife will be able to protect and guide Molly, since he is a busy doctor who is rarely at home. While Mrs. Kirkpatrick is a charming middle-aged woman, she is also very calculating, shrewd, and manipulative, so her entry into the Gibson family marks a lot of changes for Molly, restraining her freedom of movement and thought. But Mr. Gibson’s marriage also brings into Molly’s life one of her greatest friends – Claire’s only daughter, Cynthia. Slightly older than Molly, Cynthia is a stunningly beautiful and bewitching young woman, and the two girls immediately forge a strong sisterhood. However, unwittingly, Molly also gets tangled in a love triangle, with Roger Hamley falling head over heels in love with the gorgeous Cynthia, making Molly realize she has more than platonic affection for Roger.
Cynthia makes her entrance after over 20 chapters, and that’s when “Wives and Daughters” becomes much more engaging to read. She is such a frivolous character, offering a great contrast against both her mother and Molly. Despite Cynthia’s seeming fickleness in her affections for the men in her life, she remains steadfast in her fondness for Molly as a sister, treating the younger girl as her confidante. What I really liked about Cynthia’s character is her surprising vocalization of her lack of love for her mother. She feels abandoned by her mother, who sent her away to a boarding school in France and never provided the kind of attention a mother typically showers upon her child. Cynthia’s assessment of her mother is not unjust, as her mother is indeed quite self-centered. For instance, she ensures that Cynthia doesn’t attend her second wedding to Mr. Gibson, fearing Cynthia’s presence would steal Claire’s thunder at the event.
Elizabeth Gaskell amusingly weaves the distinct personalities of these three women and she does the same with the Hamley brothers too. While Roger Hamley is portrayed as a shy, serious, and intellectual individual, often deemed plain-looking by most, his older brother Osborne is described as exceptionally handsome, jovial, and something of a prodigy—until the revelation of his academic failures comes to light. Despite Osborne’s initial facade of success, his struggles with his studies add depth to his character, contrasting sharply with Roger’s quieter demeanor and dedication to scholarship.
The primary focus of “Wives and Daughters” remains the evolving relationships of Molly Gibson with those around her and the lessons she learns along the way. However, it also delves into class divides and illustrates the damaging effects of gossip and hearsay on young ladies in English society. A major subplot involves the spreading of unfortunate rumors about first Cynthia and then Molly, resulting in a plethora of problems for the young women. And while often, it feels like the author subtly puts down womankind, there are also plenty of times when the women in this novel lift each other up.
Overall, despite occasional dull moments, “Wives and Daughters” proves to be a fascinating study of English society and the complexities of young men and women’s hearts during the time period. It captures the domestic sphere with all its trivialities and sometimes exaggerated emotions, where even a simple dinner invitation can become a matter of debate, fuss, and heartache. However, the greatest disappointment for readers lies in the fact that Elizabeth Gaskell couldn’t finish the novel — something I was unaware of when I began reading. As a result, there is no climactic chapter, leaving readers with only a hasty explanation of how the author might have intended to conclude the story.
Rating: 3 on 5.
Read Next: Penny Nichols – Graphic Novel Review
Embedded blow is the audio version of ‘Wives & Daughters’ Book Review