|
Elisabeth Gaskell Elisabeth Cleghorn Gaskell was born at the 20th September 1810 in London and died at the 12th November 1865. She was a famous british author. She is still just called "Mrs Gaskell". Her life Elisabath Gaskell was a born as a Stevenson. Her mother was a niece of the pottery-entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood and her father was a employee in civil service and a former unitarian minister. As her mother died shortly after her birth, she spent most of her childhood at her aunt's house in Knutsford, Cheshire.
(This village became later the model for the fictitious "Cranford") Elisabeth Gaskell visited the Avonbank School in Stratford-upon-Avon and lived following for tow years with the pastor familiy of William Turner, a further Cousin, in Newcastle-upon-Avon. Gaskell's stepmother was a sister of the famous scottish painter William John Thomsom, who portraid Elisabeth in 1832. She also married William Gaskell a unitarian minister, who was lecturer for English History and Liturature at the Manchester New College. Later in Manchester, she became victim of the Industrial Revolution and wrote many books about it. Works Gaskell's first novel Mary Barton was released in 1848 and was anonymous. The novel was about one of the first Industrial Novels from that time, where in a meladramatic way the suffering of the proletariat was shown.
By this novel, the contact with Charles Dickens started. By the help of her next two novels Cranford(1853) and North and South(1855) , she earned more fame. Elisabeth met Charlotte Bronte in 1850 and became close friends with her. After the death of Bronte, Gaskell became her first biographer. Her book about the life of Charlotte Bronte is said to be one of the most important english biographie of the 19th century und is still read. Novels · 1848, Mary Barton: A tale of Manchester · 1853, Cranford · 1853, Ruth · 1855, North and South · 1861, The grey woman · 1863, Sylvia's Lover · 1965, Wives and daughters: An everyday story Short storys · 1850, The moorland cottage · 1852, The old nurse's story · 1855, Lizzie Leigh · 1859, My lady Ludlow · 1859, Round the sofa · 1861, Lois the witch · 1963, A Dark night's work · 1863, Cousin Phillis and other tales Biographie: · 1957, The life of Charlotte Bronte In the novel Nice Work are two quotes of Elisabeth Gaskell: 2nd Chapter (p.
91): \"Mrs Thornton went on after a moment\'s pause: \'Do you know anything of Milton, Miss Hale? Have you seen any of our factories? Our magnificent warehouse?\' \'No,\' said Margaret. \'I have not seen anything of the description as yet.\' Then she felt that, by concealing her utter indifference to all such places, she was hardly speaking the truth; so she went on: \'I dare say, papa would have taken me before now if I had cared. But I really do not find much pleasure in going over manufactories.\'\" (Elisabeth Gaskell, North and South) Gaskell shows the disinterest of the white colour workers in industry (represented by Margaret). These people are more interested in intellectual things (like literature, art etc.
) It\'s quite an other world for them. 4th Chapter (p. 189): \"I know so little about strikes, and rates of wages, and capital, and labour, that I had better not talk to a political economist like you.\" \"Nay, the more reason,\" said he eagerly. \"I shall be only too glad to explain to you all that may seem anomalous or mysterious to a stranger; especially at a time like this, when our doings are sure to be canvassed by every scribbler who can hold a pen.\" (Elisabeth Gaskell, North and South) The relationship between Margaret and Thornton is similar to the one of Robyn and Vic.
Robyn doesn\'t know much about industry in contrast to Vic who doesn\'t appreciate the work of academics. Benjamin Disraeli Benjamin Disraeli was born at the 21st December 1804 in London and died at the 19th April in Mayfair. He was a famous novelist and twice the Brititsh Primeminister. His life: Benjamin Disraeli came from a jewish family from Italy. His father, Isaac Disraeli, was the author of different works like The Life and Reign of Charles I. After school, Disraeli studied law and released his first book Vivian Grey in 1826 which was sold very well.
The following years, he released the books: Contarini Fleming (1832), Alroy (1833) and Henrietta Temple. All books deal with political and social questions in a way that showed his own political attitude. Nevertheless one can't exactly determine his attitude, but it was more conservative. Between 1832 and 1835, Disraeli stood for Parliament on several occasions and was finally elected as representative for Maidstone in 1837. In 1839, he married Marry Ann Wyndham Lewis, the widow of Sir Wyndham Lewis. Nevertheless Mary was 12 years older than Benjamin, their marriage was a success.
Disraeli supported the liberal prime minister Lord John Russell, when he started to abrogate the prohibition that excluded Jews off of the British Parliament. In 1852, after Lord Russell surrendered his post, the conservatives under Lord of Derby won the elections and Disraeli became Chancellor of the Exchequer in Derby's short-lived government, which lasted only a few month. In 1874 Disraeli finally became prime minister. He had a very good relationship to Queen Victoria and gave her the titel "Empress of India" which founded the British Empire. In 1876, Disraeli was ennobled by the Queen. In 1880, Gladstone became prime minister and resignated from policy.
Some of his works: · 1826, Vivian Grey · 1844, Coningsby · 1845, Sybil or, the two Nations David Lodge quotes Disraeli in the Intrduction of his book: Introduction (p. 9): \"Two nations; between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other\'s habits, thoughts and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed by a different breeding, and fed by different food, and ordered by different manners.\' \'You speak of -\' said Egremont hesitatingly.\" (Benjamin Disraeli, Sybil) The author gives a hint to the two different lifestyles of the working class and the academics. He also shows their ignorant behaviour to each other.
|
