Connectedness in Cranford

A talk by Annick Pommier

Elizabeth Gaskell led a highly connected life. She built a vast and varied social network over a relatively short period of time and the thousand or so letters that she wrote give us a glimpse of a woman for whom forging and maintaining connections was essential. Her need to connect was not confined to her personality and social life and extends to her works. In her presentation, Annick will explore some of the connections and connecting processes within Gaskell’s favourite work, Cranford,examining the various processes and steps of connection at work within the book.

 Annick lives near Paris, where she teaches English and is beginning a PhD at the Université de Paris, but she is a regular visitor to our meetings. In 2018 she completed a master’s degree in English literature, taking ‘Connectedness in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford’ as the subject of her dissertation. Her PhD will continue her research into this topic.

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All meetings are held at Francis Holland School for Girls, 39 Graham Terrace London SW1W 8JF. The school is only a three-minute walk from Sloane Square tube station on the District and Circle line. This central location means that the meeting is convenient for anyone interested  in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing. 

Everyone is welcome any time after 12.45pm – please bring a packed lunch. Talks begin at 2pm and usually last about an hour. Each talk is followed by questions, and then tea is served.

At each meeting there is a bring-and-buy book stall in aid of The Gaskell House in Manchester. Please bring any books that you wish to rehome and which will be of interest to other members, marked with an appropriate price. If, at the end of the meeting, your books have not been sold, we will ask you to take them away with you again.

We ask for a contribution of £5.00 to cover speakers’ expenses, a donation to the school and tea. If you have any queries please contact Jenny Keaveney
07791 309784     

Come along – you will be sure of a friendly welcome!