# Making Friends explained — North and South

> Chapter companion for North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

## What happens

Margaret struggles with her feelings after Mrs. Thornton's accusations and her own guilt over lying about Frederick. She tries to distract herself by visiting Mrs. Boucher, but her emotional turmoil persists. Meanwhile, Mr. Thornton, after investigating Higgins's story, offers him work at the mill, leading to a grudging but genuine reconciliation between the two men.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Industrial Conflict

The chapter depicts the ongoing tension between masters and workers, culminating in Thornton's decision to hire Higgins despite their past conflicts.

### Pride and Prejudice

Both Margaret and Thornton grapple with pride and prejudice—Margaret in her self-reflection and Thornton in his initial dismissal of Higgins.

### Moral Integrity and Redemption

Thornton's willingness to apologize and offer work to Higgins demonstrates moral growth and a move toward redemption.

## Character check-ins

### Margaret Hale

Margaret is deeply troubled by Mrs. Thornton's accusations and her own feelings for Mr. Thornton. She tries to suppress her emotions and finds herself unable to stop thinking about him.

### John Thornton

Thornton investigates Higgins's story and, convinced of its truth, offers him work. He is annoyed to find Margaret at Higgins's house and struggles with his own feelings.

### Nicholas Higgins

Higgins waits five hours to speak to Thornton and eventually receives a job offer. He and Thornton reconcile, acknowledging their mutual harsh judgments.

### Mr. Hale

Mr. Hale notices Margaret's fluctuating spirits and is relieved by the prospect of a visit from Mr. Bell.

### Mrs. Thornton

Mrs. Thornton confronts Margaret with accusations, which deeply affect Margaret's state of mind.

### Edith

Edith writes to Margaret, expressing sympathy and sharing plans to return to England, which Margaret looks forward to as a respite.

## Key lines

> At any rate, her words do not touch me; they fall off from me; for I am innocent of all the motives she attributes to me. But still, it is hard to think that anyone—any woman—can believe all this of another so easily.

Margaret tries to dismiss Mrs. Thornton's accusations, but feels hurt that someone could believe such things about her without cause.

_Margaret's internal struggle with Mrs. Thornton's accusations and her own guilt._

> I have passed out of childhood into old age. I have had no youth—no womanhood; the hopes of womanhood have closed for me—for I shall never marry; and I anticipate cares and sorrows just as if I were an old woman, and with the same tearful spirit.

Margaret feels that her youth and hopes for marriage are over, and she now faces only sorrow and responsibility.

_Margaret's despair over her lost youth and future._

> Yo’ve called me impudent, and a liar, and a mischief-maker, and yo’ might ha’ said wi’ some truth, as I were now and then given to drink. An’, I ha’ called you a tyrant, an’ an oud bull dog, and a hard, cruel master; that’s where it stands. But for th’ childer, Measter, do yo’ think we can e’er get on together?

Higgins acknowledges the mutual insults between him and Thornton, but asks if they can work together for the sake of the children.

_Higgins and Thornton's candid conversation about their past conflicts and potential cooperation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxix-making-friends
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters