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Among the most successful writers of the English 19th century novel, Gaskell tells us about a young widow, who puts all her energy into her baby son and making the money needed for them to eat. Help comes from an old bachelor who marries her but is jealous of the smiles she only gives her son. He gives her a new child but she dies soon after his birth. Years of unfair treatment follow but eventually the first child proves his worth. (3,930 words)