Mrs Gaskell's 'North and South' Quiz

Answer: Charlotte Bronte

Although Mrs Gaskell did write for Dickens' magazine 'Household Works', she was also an intimate friend of Charlotte Bronte and this was the reason Patrick Bronte asked her to write Charlotte's biography.

Answer: 'Margaret Hale'

Charles Dickens pressured Elizabeth Gaskell to change the name to shift the focus of the book from a romantic tale to a serious piece of literature. Many people think it was Dickens that devised the new title.

Answer: Milton-Northern and Helstone

'North' refers to the fictional town of Milton-Northern, which is actually based on the present day city of Manchester. While Margaret also lives in Harley Street with her aunt and cousin at the beginning of the novel, she still considers her home in the 'South' to be Helstone.

Answer: False

Mr Thornton does own a mill, but it is he that goes to visit Mr Hale to have lessons after Mr Hale sets himself up as a private tutor on the advice of Mr Bell. The Hales are by no means as rich as Mr Thornton though.

Answer: Bessy Higgins

The Higginses are an extremely poor, but proud family, who won't accept charity. Margaret goes to visit them as an equal and becomes close friends with Bessy.

Answer: False

The spark between Margaret and Mr Thornton is only intensified by the fact they disagree so often. Indeed, at the start of the book Margaret barely likes Thornton and his mother definitely does not like Margaret.

Answer: She throws herself in front of him to protect him from a crowd of strikers

At this point in the novel, Margaret is still unaware of her feelings for Mr Thornton, so were her actions in front of the strikers a subconscious act? Margaret has rejected Mr Henry Lennox, her cousin's husband's brother, but Mr Thornton doesn't learn of their relationship until later on, when he becomes a little jealous.

Answer: He is in exile for participating in a naval mutiny

For the most part of the novel, Frederick remains in exile in Spain where he meets his future wife. If he returns to England, he risks death by hanging if caught.

Answer: She thinks that Mr Hale dragged her mistress (Mrs Hale) down in the world

Dixon constantly criticises Mr Hale throughout the book even in front of Margaret, because he married Miss Bereford (now Mrs Hale), her mistress. This is despite the fact that the couple were in love. However, Dixon is a loyal friend and servant and soon learns to respect Margaret if not Mr Hale.

Answer: Leonards

We learn that George Leonards was a draper's son who ran away to sea. He was on the 'Orion' with Frederick around the time of the mutiny and wants to have Frederick caught in order to claim the reward money. At one point he often offers to split the reward with Dixon if she helps him, but she is far too faithful for that!

Answer: Outwood

The name 'Outwood' seems very appropriate, as Margaret chooses it because it is out of the way (but not that far) and is always very quiet, so Frederick is less likely to be seen (but he is).

Answer: All of the choices are correct

Mr Thornton did indeed come upon Margaret and her brother on the way to the station and so knows she was there at the time the accident occurred. However, despite the fact that he is jealous of Margaret's supposed 'lover' and feels let down by her, he arranges for the inquest to be called off.

Answer: True

Margaret's mother has been ill for a long time and Frederick returns to see her just before her death. Mr Hale dies suddenly when on a visit to his friend, Mr Bell, in Oxford.

Answer: Margaret

Margaret becomes an heiress upon the death of Mr Bell and inherits two thousand pounds in legacies and about forty thousand pounds in property in Milton (in effect is is Mr Thornton's landlord).

Answer: Mr Henry Lennox (her former lover and lawyer)

Mr Henry Lennox does the decent thing and arranges a 'business meeting' between himself, Margaret and Mr Thornton and then fails to turn up. He does this despite the fact he has hopes to marry Margaret himself and Edith and Mrs Shaw wish he would too.