Ruth

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781513276380
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

Ruth is a young orphaned girl who works in a sweatshop. Mrs. Mason, Ruth's boss, runs the sweatshop in a respectable manner, earning a sterling reputation among her employees and society. However, the comfort and acclaim of Ruth's job is threatened when she attends a ball to repair any dresses that get torn during dancing. There, she meets an aristocratic man named Henry Bellingham, who is infamous for his immoral treatment of women and frivolous spending. Ruth, however, is blinded by his charm, and after they have another chance encounter, befriends the man. When they are spotted together, Ruth's reputation is at stake as rumors start to fly. Worried about the gossip harming her sweatshop Mrs. Mason fires Ruth, leaving her with nowhere to go. With no other viable options, Ruth accepts Henry's invitation to go to London. Now considered a fallen woman, Ruth's reputation seems to be in a state beyond repair, though, while she stays with Henry, she is protected by his privilege. Held to lower standards by society, Henry is slightly looked down on, but his wealth and gender protects him from actual consequence. Perhaps that is why he finds it so easy and acceptable to leave Ruth, stranding her in Wales with a small allowance and tarnished reputation. Hopeless and pregnant, Ruth slips into a deep despair. It is only at the mercy of a kind local family, the Benson's, that Ruth is able to continue living. With their help, Ruth creates a new alias and backstory to live under, and is able to get a job and start to rebuild her social status. However, when Henry makes a surprise return, and rumors start to grow once again, Ruth must overcome illness and social disgrace to provide a better life for her son, and for herself.

With strong characterization and themes of morality, gender, and sexuality in Victorian society, Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell provides a compelling glimpse into the hypocrisies of social expectations while depicting a moving narrative that captures both the audience's mind and heart.

This edition of Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is now presented in an easy-to-read font and features a striking new cover design. With these accommodations, modern audiences are provided a lavish and accessible reading experience.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Epigraph
• Contents
• I. The Dressmaker’s Apprentice at Work
• II. Ruth Goes to the Shire-Hall
• III. Sunday at Mrs. Mason’s
• IV. Treading in Perilous Places
• V. In North Wales
• VI. Troubles Gather About Ruth
• VII. The Crisis—Watching and Waiting
• VIII. Mrs. Bellingham “Does the Thing Handsomely”
• IX. The Storm-Spirit Subdued
• X. A Note and the Answer
• XI. Thurstan and Faith Benson
• XII. Losing Sight of the Welsh Mountains
• XIII. The Dissenting Minister’s Household
• XIV. Ruth’s First Sunday at Eccleston
• XV. Mother and Child
• XVI. Sally Tells of Her Sweethearts, and Discourses on the Duties of Life
• XVII. Leonard’s Christening
• XVIII. Ruth Becomes a Governess in Mr. Bradshaw’s Family
• XIX. After Five Years
• XX. Jemima Refuses to Be Managed
• XXI. Mr. Farquhar’s Attentions Transferred
• XXII. The Liberal Candidate and His Precursor
• XXIII. Recognition
• XXIV. The Meeting on the Sands
• XXV. Jemima Makes a Discovery
• XXVI. Mr. Bradshaw’s Virtuous Indignation
• XXVII. Preparing to Stand on the Truth
• XXVIII. An Understanding Between Lovers
• XXIX. Sally Takes Her Money Out of the Bank
• XXX. The Forged Deed
• XXXI. An Accident to the Dover Coach
• XXXII. The Bradshaw Pew Again Occupied
• XXXIII. A Mother to Be Proud Of
• XXXIV. “I Must Go and Nurse Mr. Bellingham”
• XXXV. Out of Darkness into Light
• XXXVI. The End
• A Note About the Author
• A Note from the Publisher