An engaging storyteller whose wide range includes explorations of village life, industrial problems, travel experiences, the gothic, biography, historical fiction, and domestic novels, Elizabeth Gaskell has steadily gained canonical status as her novels are regularly taught at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Current scholarship on Gaskell explores topics such as gender, marriage, parenting, trauma, class, privilege, and more. Outside of academia, Gaskell has a robust internet presence as fans share their responses to Gaskell's works and enthusiasts find Gaskell-themed products. Cinematic treatments of Gaskell's works, available through popular streaming services, help to introduce Gaskell to a new generation of readers.
This companion includes a brief biography, a timeline for quick reference, and an alphabetical list of entries on individual works, key concepts, places, events, and people who were important in the period and who had some personal or professional connection to Elizabeth Gaskell. Each entry provides an overview of the topic and includes further reading suggestions for readers who are seeking more detailed understanding.
