‘One must not judge others.’

Two giants of Victorian literature, Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot were very different in almost every way. George Eliot was private and intellectual while Elizabeth was outgoing, gossipy and deeply shocked by the scandal of her fellow writer’s personal life. So how did these differences affect their work? How did they approach similar themes such as provincial life, women’s education, humorous characters and the inner life?

What are the similarities (and differences) in novels such as Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters and George Eliot’s Middlemarch? And what did each author really think of the other?

Join Dr Diane Duffy and Professor Ruth Livesey for a closer look at two unique writers and their literary masterpieces.

Part of Wives and Daughters season and in partnership with The George Eliot Fellowship.

‘I enjoyed Diane Duffy’s knowledge & expertise – and lovely humorous delivery.’ Previous audience member