# II: Roses and Thorns explained — North and South > Chapter companion for North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. ## What happens Margaret Hale travels home to Helstone with her father after her cousin Edith's wedding, reflecting on her mother's absence and the family's financial constraints. She observes her father's weary appearance and worries about the family's hidden troubles, particularly concerning her brother Frederick. At Helstone, Margaret finds her mother discontented with their isolated life and her father's lack of preferment. Margaret defends their simple life against her mother's social aspirations. As autumn progresses, Mr. Hale becomes increasingly anxious, waiting for the postman, while Margaret occupies herself with drawing. The chapter ends with the unexpected arrival of Henry Lennox. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Industrial Conflict Margaret's disdain for 'shoppy people' and her mother's social aspirations reveal class distinctions and the tension between landed gentry and trade-based wealth. ### Family and Loyalty Margaret's concern for her father's health and her longing to comfort her parents underscore family bonds and loyalty amidst hidden troubles. ### Gender Roles and Women's Agency Mrs. Hale's discontent and powerlessness in her domestic sphere, and Margaret's active role in managing the household and her own pursuits, highlight the limited agency of women. ## Character check-ins ### Margaret Hale Returns home to Helstone after Edith's wedding; observes her father's weariness; defends simple country life against her mother's complaints; takes up sketching in the autumn woods. ### Mr. Hale Travels home with Margaret; appears worn and anxious; becomes increasingly preoccupied, waiting for the postman; withdraws to his study in the evenings. ### Mrs. Hale Did not attend the wedding due to lack of proper attire; expresses discontent with Helstone's isolation and her husband's lack of preferment; discourages Mr. Hale from reading aloud. ### Mrs. Shaw Margaret's aunt; reflects on her sister Maria's marriage, believing she has nothing to wish for; unaware of Mrs. Hale's material wants. ### Edith Margaret's cousin; her wedding is the occasion for the journey; Margaret helped with the wedding preparations. ### Henry Lennox Arrives unexpectedly at Helstone parsonage at the end of the chapter, announced by Sarah the housemaid. ## Key lines > Margaret was once more in her morning dress, travelling quietly home with her father, who had come up to assist at the wedding. Margaret is traveling back to Helstone with her father after he attended Edith's wedding. _Establishes the immediate aftermath of the wedding and the journey home._ > Her mother had been detained at home by a multitude of half-reasons, none of which anybody fully understood, except Mr. Hale, who was perfectly aware that all his arguments in favour of a grey satin gown, which was midway between oldness and newness, had proved unavailing; Mrs. Hale stayed home because she lacked a suitable new dress for the wedding, a fact only Mr. Hale fully understood. _Reveals the family's financial strain and Mrs. Hale's pride._ > Margaret only knew that her mother had not found it convenient to come, and she was not sorry to think that their meeting and greeting would take place at Helstone parsonage, rather than, during the confusion of the last two or three days, in the house in Harley Street Margaret is relieved that she will reunite with her mother at home rather than amid the chaos of the wedding in London. _Shows Margaret's preference for the quiet of Helstone over the bustle of London._ > Her mind and body ached now with the recollection of all she had done and said within the last forty-eight hours. Margaret feels exhausted from the hectic activities of the wedding. _Highlights the emotional and physical toll of the wedding on Margaret._ > Her eyes began to see, not visions of what had been, but the sight actually before her; her dear father leaning back asleep in the railway carriage. Margaret shifts from reminiscing to observing her father sleeping in the train. _Marks a transition from past memories to present reality._ > Margaret was painfully struck by the worn, anxious expression; and she went back over the open and avowed circumstances of her father's life, to find the cause for the lines that spoke so plainly of habitual distress and depression. Margaret notices her father's tired and worried look and tries to understand the source of his unhappiness. _Foreshadows Mr. Hale's hidden troubles and the family's secret._ > This marring of the peace of home, by long hours of discontent, was what Margaret was unprepared for. Margaret was not ready for the constant unhappiness that disturbed the home's tranquility. _Introduces the theme of domestic discontent at Helstone._ > I don't like shoppy people. I think we are far better off, knowing only cottagers and labourers, and people without pretence. Margaret expresses her dislike for people in trade and prefers the company of simple rural folk. _Reveals Margaret's class prejudices and idealization of rural life._ > But Margaret was at an age when any apprehension, not absolutely based on a knowledge of facts, is easily banished for a time by a bright sunny day, or some happy outward circumstance. Margaret's youthful optimism allows her to forget her worries on a fine day. _Contrasts Margaret's lightheartedness with her father's persistent anxiety._ > Accordingly, she was busy preparing her board one morning, when Sarah, the housemaid, threw wide open the drawing-room door, and announced, 'Mr. Henry Lennox.' While Margaret is setting up her drawing materials, Henry Lennox is announced. _Closes the chapter with an unexpected visit, creating anticipation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/ii-roses-and-thorns - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters