North and South · Chapter
XXXVII: Looking South explained
Margaret and Mr.
What happens
Margaret and Mr. Hale visit the widow Boucher after her husband's suicide, finding her self-absorbed and the children more genuinely grieving. Margaret tries to redirect the children's thoughts to practical duties. Later, Higgins visits, having spent the day seeking work to support Boucher's family, swallowing his pride to do so. He declines Mr. Hale's offer to intercede with Thornton, preferring to face him man-to-man. Margaret reflects on Higgins's pride and Thornton's character, feeling a strange choking at her heart.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Industrial Conflict
The chapter explores the aftermath of the strike and Boucher's suicide, highlighting the rift between masters and workers, and the difficulty of bridging class divides.
Family and Loyalty
Higgins's decision to seek work to support Boucher's family demonstrates loyalty beyond the grave, while the widow's selfishness contrasts with the children's genuine grief.
Pride and Prejudice
Higgins's pride in refusing Mr. Hale's intercession, and Margaret's growing respect for Thornton's character, reflect the theme of pride and prejudice between individuals.
Characters to notice
- Margaret Hale
Visits the widow Boucher, tries to comfort the children, and reflects on Higgins's pride and Thornton's character.
- Mr. Hale
Accompanies Margaret to the Boucher home, attempts to raise the widow's thoughts, and later speaks with Higgins.
- Nicholas Higgins
Visits the Hales after a day of seeking work to support Boucher's family; declines Mr. Hale's offer to intercede with Thornton.
- John Boucher
His suicide is the central event of the chapter; his widow and children are visited by the Hales.
- Mrs. Boucher
Self-absorbed widow who blames others for her husband's death and neglects her children's grief.
- John Thornton
Mentioned as the master whose mill was attacked by Boucher and who withdrew the warrant; Higgins seeks to speak with him.
- Dixon
Grumbles about the Hales' habit of inviting lower-class visitors upstairs, but is mollified by Margaret's forbearance.
Key passages
“Margaret tried to make acquaintances with one or two of them, while her father strove to raise the widow's thoughts into some higher channel than that of mere helpless querulousness.”
Margaret attempted to connect with the children while her father tried to redirect the widow's attention away from her self-pity.
Shows the Hales' differing approaches to comforting the bereaved family.
“I'll stand guard at the lodge door. I'll stand there fro' six in the morning till I get speech on him. But I'd liefer sweep th' streets, if paupers had na' got hold on that work.”
Higgins declares he will wait at Thornton's door from dawn until he can speak to him, preferring even street sweeping to charity.
Highlights Higgins's pride and determination to face Thornton directly.
“How proud that man is! said her father... He is, said Margaret; but what grand makings of a man there are in him, pride and all.”
Mr. Hale criticizes Higgins's pride, but Margaret sees it as a sign of his strong character.
Illustrates Margaret's evolving appreciation for the dignity of the working class.
