’Ruth’ by Elizabeth Gaskell is a 19th-century novel that tackles the subject of social ostracism and the plight of a fallen woman with a compassionate and progressive approach. Published in 1853, the story centers around Ruth Hilton, an orphaned young seamstress who is seduced and then abandoned by a wealthy gentleman, Mr. Bellingham. Left alone and pregnant, Ruth is taken in by a dissenting minister, Mr. Benson, and his sister, who protect her by passing her off as a widow to save her from societal scorn.
The novel explores themes of sin, redemption, and the often harsh social codes of the time. Gaskell’s portrayal of Ruth as a character of innate goodness who is subjected to judgment and hardship because of her gender and social position was quite controversial at the time of its publication. ’Ruth’ challenges the Victorian moral compass and offers a critique of the era’s social and religious hypocrisy. The novel remains significant for its early feminist perspectives and its empathetic depiction of a woman’s struggle for dignity and acceptance.
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