Home Sickness explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• North vs. South

  Margaret contrasts the freedom of her rural Southern life in Helstone with the bustling, intrusive streets of Milton, where workers comment on her appearance and she must adjust to a new pace of life.

• Social Class and Industrial Conflict

  The chapter explores class tensions as Margaret navigates the boldness of factory workers and the difficulty of hiring a servant in a town where mill work offers better wages and independence.

• Gender Roles and Women's Agency

  Margaret takes on the responsibility of finding a servant to spare her mother, and she asserts her independence by walking alone, though she must endure unsolicited comments from workmen.

Characters to notice

• Margaret Hale

  Margaret feels homesick and out of place in Milton, enduring the bold comments of workmen and the challenge of hiring a servant. She shows kindness to Bessy Higgins by offering her flowers.

• Nicholas Higgins

  A careworn workman who compliments Margaret and later introduces her to his daughter Bessy. He is wary of strangers but softens after Margaret's kindness.

• Bessy Higgins

  Nicholas's frail daughter, who is resigned to her poor health and speaks of a heavenly afterlife. She accepts Margaret's flowers with gratitude.

• Mr. Hale

  Mr. Hale is absorbed in his studies and his new friendship with Mr. Thornton, which causes some tension with Mrs. Hale. He is impressed by the energy of Milton.

• Mrs. Hale

  Mrs. Hale appears hurt and annoyed by her husband's growing interest in Mr. Thornton, feeling slighted in his companionship.

• John Thornton

  Mr. Thornton is Mr. Hale's favorite pupil, frequently quoted and admired by him, though Margaret and her mother view this with some skepticism.

Key passages

• “The rough uncourteous manners of these people; not but what she shrunk with fastidious pride from their hail-fellow accost, and severely resented their unconcealed curiosity as to the means and position of any family who lived in Milton, and yet were not engaged in trade of some kind.”

  Margaret was put off by the blunt and familiar behavior of the locals, who openly asked about her family's finances and social standing since they were not involved in business.

  Margaret's discomfort with the directness of Milton's residents highlights the cultural clash between Southern gentility and Northern industrial society.

• “Your bonny face, my lass, makes the day look brighter.”

  One workman told Margaret that her pretty face brightened the day.

  This compliment, though forward, reflects the uninhibited speech of the factory workers and Margaret's mixed feelings of irritation and amusement.

• “I shall have a spring where I am boun' to, and flowers, and amaranths, and shining robes besides.”

  Bessy Higgins speaks of a heavenly afterlife where she will find eternal spring and beautiful garments.

  Bessy's resigned faith in a better afterlife underscores her poor health and the harsh realities of life in an industrial town.