Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm.
Our October, November, January and February sessions are an exploration of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, Ruth.
First published in three volumes in 1853, Ruth is the story of the unmarried seamstress who has to raise an illegitimate child and make her own way in a cruel and judgmental world. Gaskell’s compassionate portrayal of the “fallen woman” – as well as making such a woman her novel’s heroine – was highly controversial in its day. Gaskell said that Ruth was a “prohibited book” in her own household, that friends expressed “deep regret” at its publication. Some reviewers complained that Gaskell painted Ruth as too passive a victim of Bellingham’s advances, eluding the question of Ruth’s own sexual feelings.
As you can imagine, there’s lots to talk about! This third session will discuss chapters 21-26.
And we’ll talk about chapters 27-36 in February.
Everyone is most welcome.
£5 members, £6 non-members