Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell – Story of a Fallen Woman

Elizabeth Gaskell tells the story of a fallen woman in the Victorian period in her novel Ruth.

When Ruth Hilton’s parents die, her guardian helps her to secure the position of an apprentice at a seamstress’ shop. Sixteen year old Ruth is befriended by Mr. Bellingham who convinces her that he is in love with her. They run away and Ruth finds herself becoming his mistress. When Mr. Bellingham falls ill, his mother sees it as the perfect opportunity to whisk her son away from the temptress that is Ruth. Alone, abandoned, moneyless and pregnant, Ruth finds a friend in Mr. Benson, minister of a small congregation. After a lot of persuasion, she moves in with Mr. Benson and his sister and starts a new life with an invented past. But what happens when the past catches up with her?
 

The Good

Elizabeth Gaskell’s bravery in writing a novel that touches on such sensitive topics is commendable, especially since she is the wife of a minister. The public must have been furious for writing a novel that talks about illegitimacy. Ruth has a brisk pace throughout, except in the middle where it drags a bit. Gaskell is successful in pointing out the hypocrisy prevalent in the Victorian society. When Sally, Mr. Benson’s household help, is suspicious about the truth about Ruth, she makes her cut her hair like a widow before she accepts her. Mr. Bradshaw, who highly praises Ruth seems to forget all her good qualities when he comes to know of her past.
 

There are thought provoking passages on what the society considers as ‘sin’ (example : a fallen woman) and whether the church should accept or rebuke those who have sinned. Also, the burden of this sin falls solely on the woman’s shoulder and the man is never blamed, thanks to the gender hierarchy that existed in those times.
 

There is an underlying theme that defies the logic of ‘good looks make a gentleman’. By the examples of Mr. Bellingham and Mr. Benson, a hunchback, Gaskell effectively guides the reader through such examples that makes one see how weak or strong human nature can be.
 

The Bad

Perhaps in an attempt to make Ruth appealing to her readers, Gaskell strips her of all human vices. She is a virtuous, gentle, calm, ever-patient, never-complaining, selfless girl. She is the perfect heroine, except for her ‘sin’ in mothering an illegitimate child. So I think this characterisation of the young girl makes her seem unrealistic.
 

I enjoyed Vol. 1 and Vol. 3, but Vol. 2 greatly dampened my interest in the book. There were a lot of Biblical quotes and passages which gives an overall preachy tone to the book. Mr. Bellingham seems to be an unbelievable character. We know he walked out on Ruth, but in some portions in the book, Gaskell writes in his POV about how he loves (loved?) Ruth. It felt as if Gaskell was undecided whether to show Mr. Bellingham as the man who seduced and cheated a young girl or make the readers see his nice side (I could not see any) as well.
 

The ending greatly disappointed me and seemed as if Ruth was the one who had to pay the debts of sin throughout her life. Perhaps this was the only way in which the novel would be accepted by the society of the Victorian times. But it made me feel unsatisfied because of the forced sympathy it tries to evoke in the reader.
 

Final Verdict

I liked the novel and found it to be a moving read. I would recommend reading it if you are a fan of Elizabeth Gaskell. However, if you are new to her work, I think North and South would be a better pick.

Title : Ruth
Author : Elizabeth Gaskell
Publisher : Penguin Classics
Published : 1853
Language : English
Pages : 375
Rating : 4/5