NEGOTIATING "A WOMAN'S WORK": PHILANTHROPY TO SOCIAL SCIENCE IN GASKELL'S NORTH AND SOUTH

This article explores the nuanced philanthropic work undertaken by Victorian women, particularly through "female visiting" to the poor, as depicted in Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South and informed by F.D. Maurice's lectures. It delves into the inherent gendered power dynamics that shaped these social reform efforts in mid-19th century Britain. The piece considers how women navigated societal expectations while engaging in significant social welfare activities, highlighting the tension between traditional roles and emerging forms of social science and organized charity.