Female Mediation and Law in Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South: A New Perspective

This study focuses on the mediation styles of Margaret Hale, the main female character in North and South, one of the examples of industrial novels in nineteenth century English literature. Our aim is to show that Margaret Hale skillfully uses three basic styles of modern mediation: transformative, evaluative and facilitative. By making her character use these styles, the author conveys the message to the reader that interclass reconciliation and peace between the middle class, the captains of industry in Carlyle’s words, and the working class, the hands is possible. When the socio-cultural background of nineteenth century England is considered, the fact that a female character mediates and provides interclass reconciliation also makes the reader rethink the concepts of women and law in nineteenth century English novels. The fact that Elizabeth Gaskell, a female writer, introduces a female character coming to the forefront in a male-dominated field such as law, playing a key role with her skillful legal maneuvers, is contrary to the expectations and conventions of society. Ironically, the writer gives Margaret Hale a more functional role than the lawyer Henry Lennox, who prides himself on real and important legal work, and this reveals how ahead of its time the novel is in terms of gender roles. This study examines the relationship between law and literature in nineteenth century England and the place of women in law in nineteenth century England from an interdisciplinary and unusual perspective. Furthermore, we argue that the novel North and South, published in 1855, should be examined within the historical and legal framework of the Factory Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1844, the Ten Hours Act, passed in 1847, and the Coal Mines Inspection Act, passed in 1850.