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Cranford

Cranford is the best-known of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels. It was first published in 1851 as a serial in the magazine Household Words, which was edited by Charles Dickens. Elizabeth Gaskell — from the portrait by George Richmond Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (née Stevenson; 29 September 1810–12 November 1865), often referred to simply as Mrs. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Charles Dickens is still one of the best known English writers of any era. ... A publisher is a person or entity which engages in the act of publishing. ... Front cover of volume XI Household Words was a weekly magazine edited by Charles Dickens which took its name from the line from Shakespeare Familiar in his mouth as household words—Henry V. It was published between 1850 and 1859. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... The original Wikisource logo. ... Elizabeth Gaskell — from the portrait by George Richmond Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (née Stevenson; 29 September 1810–12 November 1865), often referred to simply as Mrs. ... This article is about the literary concept. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Front cover of volume XI Household Words was a weekly magazine edited by Charles Dickens which took its name from the line from Shakespeare Familiar in his mouth as household words—Henry V. It was published between 1850 and 1859. ... “Dickens” redirects here. ...

Plot

The fictional town of Cranford is closely modelled on Knutsford in Cheshire, which Mrs Gaskell knew well. The book has little in the way of plot and is more a series of episodes in the lives of Mary Smith and her friends, Miss Matty and Miss Deborah, two spinster sisters. The "major" event in the story is the return to Cranford of their long-lost brother, Peter, which in itself is only a minor portion of the work, leaving the rest of the novel at a low-key tone. , Knutsford is a town and civil parish in the borough of Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, located south-west of Manchester, and west of Wilmslow. ... Cheshire (or, archaically, the County of Chester)[1] is a county in North West England. ...

Characters

• Mary Smith – The narrator. A young woman frequently staying with Miss Matty.
• Miss Matty Jenkyns – An amiable and good-natured (though rather timid) old spinster.
• Miss Deborah Jenkyns – Miss Matty's imperious older sister. Dies early on in the novel.
• Miss Pole – Allegedly the most “reasonable” and “enlightened” of the Cranford ladies.
• Mrs. Jamieson – A widow with aristocratic connections. A mostly lethargic old woman.
• Mrs. Forrester – Another widow.
• Peter Jenkyns – The Jenkynses long-lost brother, who returns from India at the end of the novel.
• Captain Brown – A poor captain, who comes to live at Cranford with his two daughers.
• Jessie Brown – Captains Brown's daughter. After his and her sister's death, she marries and leaves Cranford.
• Lady Glenmire – Mrs. Jamieson's poor but aristocratic sister. Later marries Dr. Hoggins.
• Dr. Hoggins – The Cranford surgeon. A rough but friendly and well-meaning man.
• Martha – Miss Matty's maid. Later her landlady and companion at equal terms.
• Signor Brunoni – A travelling magician.

Adaptations

The novel has been twice adapted for television by the BBC, the first time in 1972, with Gabrielle Hamilton as Miss Matty, and in 2007 as Cranford, with Judi Dench in the leading role and Eileen Atkins as Miss Deborah. The British Broadcasting Corporation, which is usually known as the BBC, is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gabrielle Reece (born January 6, 1970) is a professional volleyball player and former fashion model. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Cranford, the best-known of Elizabeth Gaskells novels, was first published in 1851 as a serial in the magazine Household Words (edited by Charles Dickens). ... Dame Judith Olivia Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA, (born 9 December 1934), usually known as Dame Judi Dench, is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Tony, three-time BAFTA, and six-time Laurence Olivier Award-winning English actress. ... Dame Eileen June Atkins, DBE (born June 16, 1934 in London, England) is a British writer and an award-winning film and theatre actress. ...