Wives and Daughters

About Wives and Daughters

The narrative gives ordinary visits and conversations room to reveal motives gradually. Molly's loyalty can place her at a disadvantage among people more practiced in social presentation. Different households offer competing ideas of cultivation and status, allowing readers to compare sincere consideration with behavior designed chiefly to make a favorable impression.

Reading focus

Notice when Molly's wish to protect another person prevents her from explaining her own conduct openly.

This reading edition contains 271,309 words in 61 original sections. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.

Opening excerpt

To begin with the old rigmarole of childhood. In a country there was a shire, and in that shire there was a town, and in that town there was a house, and in that house there was a room, and in that room there was a bed, and in that bed there lay a little girl; wide awake and longing to get up, but not daring to do so for fear of the unseen power in the next room—a certain Betty, whose slumbers must not be disturbed until six o'clock struck, when she wakened of herself "as sure as clockwork," and left the household very little peace afterwards. It was a June morning, and early as it was, the room was full of sunny warmth and light.

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