Without connections or background life was hard in the 1860s for an ambitious young woman. Opportunities were limited for unmarried women and for someone as clever as Margaret life was frustrating. Having worked as a maid and treated badly, she was not afraid of hard work but wanted to improve her lot. Working as a tutor, sewing in a factory, a ladies maid, and eventually ending up as an English tutor in a boarding school helped extensively. Another step up was heading a sewing unit in a factory providing readymade, cheaper clothes for workers. This was a revolutionary move back then and a very profitable one.
Moving on Margaret met a young man, got pregnant and married him and had to move away. Her welcome into her husband’s household was muted. Her mother in law, brothers and sisters in law all were warm, but the over riding bitterness of her father in law shadowed all their lives making it a misery for all.
Sandy her husband found it hard having to face the venom of his father and his spiral into drinking and gambling were inevitable. When he died the dreams that Margaret had were shattered.
What was intriguing however, was that the last few pages of the book indicated that many secrets were still to be uncovered, which would affect Margaret more.
The story was very descriptive of Victorian morals, attitudes and lifestyle particularly amongst the working class which was rigid and rules had to be followed. The upper class had their own rules, but enjoyed a much more relaxed life.
An enjoyable read.
Sent by
No comments:
Post a Comment