North and South is a social novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, first serialized in 1854 in Household Words, a magazine edited by Charles Dickens, and published in book form in 1855. The novel contrasts the industrialized North of England with the more genteel, rural South, as seen through the experiences of the protagonist, Margaret Hale.
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865), also known as Mrs. Gaskell, was a prominent British novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. She is best known for her detailed portrayals of British society, particularly the struggles of the working class, women, and the impoverished. Gaskell's works often explore the intersection of social issues, class conflict, gender roles, and the effects of industrialization.
