Elizabeth Gaskell - Lizzie Leigh

“I'll Not Listen to Reason... Reason Always Means What Someone Else Has Got to Say.”

By: Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by: Mara Thomas

Elizabeth Gaskell’s Lizzie Leigh is the sad tragedy of a young girl, who, while being away from home for work in Manchester, commits the sin of adultery and becomes pregnant with an illegitimate child. She decides not to return home for fear of her harsh father’s reaction. Not knowing whether her daughter is still alive, her mother decides to take her two sons and go to Manchester to look for her. The narrative then follows Lizzie’s poignant existence, as she tries to purge her soul from sin.

Time goes by and Lizzie is still consumed by her feeling of guilt. In fact, while she has been forgiven by her family, and even by her dying, patriarchal father, Lizzie does not seem to forgive herself. Later, her illegitimate child dies, and she decides to spend the rest of her life praying for forgiveness in a secluded place. Strangers in the area wonder about her mystery, yet they greatly appreciate her humble character and willingness to help others. Meanwhile, Lizzie’s mother continues her search through the streets of Manchester, until fate finally reunites the family.

©2005 Public Domain (P)2023 Mara Thomas