In the heart of Victorian England, North and South unfolds the compelling journey of Margaret Hale, a spirited young woman whose world is upended when her family moves to the industrial north. Coming from the serene, pastoral south, Margaret is initially taken aback by the harsh realities of life in the gritty, smoke-filled town of Milton. However, as she finds her footing, her innate compassion drives her to challenge societal norms and advocate for the struggling working class. This activism puts her at odds with the enigmatic mill owner, John Thornton, whose stern demeanor hides a deep passion for her, even as their ideologies clash. As their relationship intensifies amidst the backdrop of a violent labor strike, both must navigate the turbulent waters of personal and social upheaval. Serialized between September 1854 and January 1855 in Charles Dickens’s magazine, Household Words, Elizabeth Gaskells North and South is a powerful exploration of social responsibility and the quest for justice in a rapidly changing world. (Summary by Dani)