Record Number: 19245
Reading Experience:
Evidence:
'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it as a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'
Century:1850-1899
Date:From: 15 Mar 1859
Country:England
Timen/a
Place:city: Manchester
specific address: 42 Plymouth Grove
(Reader):
silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
(Listener):
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
Reader / Listener / Reading Group:
Reader: Age:Adult (18-100+)
Gender:Female
Date of Birth:29 Sep 1810
Socio-Economic Group:Professional / academic / merchant / farmer
Occupation:author and clergyman's wife
Religion:n/a
Country of Origin:England
Country of Experience:England
Listeners present if any:e.g family, servants, friends
n/a
Additional Comments:
n/a
Text Being Read:
Author: Title:Three Paths, The
Genre:Fiction
Form of Text:Unknown
Publication Detailspublished 1859 - not certain if Gaskell saw the book or the MS
Provenanceunknown
Source Information:
Record ID:19245
Source:Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Editor:J.A.V. Chapple
Title:Letters of Mrs Gaskell, The
Place of Publication:Manchester
Date of Publication:1997
Vol:n/a
Page:541-2
Additional Comments:
n/a
Citation:
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, J.A.V. Chapple (ed.), Letters of Mrs Gaskell, The, (Manchester, 1997), p. 541-2, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=19245, accessed: 14 December 2024
Additional Comments:
Additional editor, Arthur Pollard. Letter to Herbert Grey.