The Rural Idyll and the Changing World - Challenging Conventionality in the Novels of Elizabeth Gaskell and Thomas Hardy.
The Daphne Carrick Memorial Lecture was given this year by the Gaskell Society Chair, Dr Diane Duffy.
In her Knutsford discussion sessions this year, Diane has been discussing Thomas Hardy’s place as a possible part of Gaskell’s literary legacy. In this talk, she looks at how Hardy and Gaskell present a sense of place and community (both rural and urban), navigating the challenges of sweeping change. She also looks at contrasting portrayals of women, the marriage question, fallenness and more. Diane references a number of novels by both authors, including Mary Barton, Cranford, Wives and Daughters, Far From the Madding Crowd, The Return of the Native and others.
This talk was given at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, on Saturday 18 April 2026, but Chapel acoustics can be tricky for live-streaming. This is a pre-recorded version of the talk.
We will leave this video online, available to view, free of charge, until 30 May 2026. Do feel free to share the link with others that may be interested.
And if you enjoy this talk…
Diane will be holding her final discussion session on Gaskell and Hardy at Brook Street Chapel, Knutsford – and also over Zoom – on Tuesday 28 April 2026. In this session, she’ll be taking a look at critical responses to Far From the Madding Crowd. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a member of the Society or not (though we’d love it if you joined us!) Read more about the session, her Points to Ponder and find out how to book your place. Take part in the discussion, or simply enjoy listening.