Summary -
The section of Mary Barton "Criticism" is useful to understand alternative concepts of the literature. I chose to examine the criticisms "Carson's Murder and the Inadequacy of Hope in Mary Barton" (501) by John Lucas and "The Streetwalker and Urban Observations in Mary Barton" (583) by Deirdre D'Albertis. Both of these texts circle around the social issues examined in the novel of poverty and strife. Lucas presents the case that Gaskell only works against herself in the novel by murdering Carson and turning John Barton into the villain who the reader wants to pity and push against. He claims "she finds the murder necessary because by means of it she can simplify a complexity which has become too terrific for her to accept consciously (503). Mr. Barton, in the view of Lucas, is entered to this fate in order to ensure that Gaskell does not have to worry about his complex character any longer. D'Albertis critiques the authors portrayal of John Barton and Esther. The criticism largely focuses on the role of prostitution and social issues. The prostitution and expectations of society have a large impact on the novel and D'Albertis and how Gaskell intends to shape the way the novel is read.
Gaskell's choice in plot movement can be seen to undermine the themes of the novel. For Lucas, the murder of Carson by Mr. Barton is "damaging all that is best in her novel." He believes this because it simplifies all of the complexities that were earlier being developed in the novel. The murder turns the novel on the course of resolution and Mary's road to a relationship with Jem but most importantly, the mill owners forgiveness of his son's murderer and promise for more fair employment. D'Albertis expands on this characterization of John Barton by claiming that he was abandoned in the novel as he was pushed away from the position of main character. He, along with Esther, becomes "driven underground" (584) by Gaskell. Though the novel moves along examining women's roles, prostitution, wages, disease, and courting but then it suddenly turns to tragedy and a quick resolution. The ending is not a "happily ever after" novel but in the scheme of a "state of England" novel it does end fairly in the fairy tale nature. Mary is able to move on happily while her father and aunt suffer much more harsh fates. They are shown little sympathy in the way of creating a "nice" message and conclusion with Gaskell's intended message. The novel, according to both critics, could have been developed in a more true and gripping way through the use of John and Esther.
Gaskell, Elizabeth. Mary Barton. Ed Thomas Recchio. A Norton Critical Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. Print.
It's sort of odd to me that contemporary critics of the novel continue to point to its narrative flaws. It's not that the critics aren't adding to the larger conversation about the novel, but it still seems strange to me that so many feel the need to situate their argument in the novel's flaws. The unevenness, for me, is part of what makes it interesting.
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