Cranford and Cousin Phillis

Change affects people in various ways, whether it involves a large change or a minute one. In both Cranford and Cousin Phillis, by Elizabeth Gaskell, the major theme centers on change, how it affects the community, and how the people deal with the new ways moving in their lives.

First, Gaskell shows the reader in Cranford, how outside forces affects the small area and the people in ways that are sometimes unpredictable. The women lament for a dying way of life. The industry and approaching railroad represents the new way of life for the two, though quite unwanted. They dislike changes of any kind, such as men disturbing their lives, although they eventually must accept the men. They do not like changes in social behavior and they even have a hard time dealing with new fashions such as the "bird cage" Mary brought from Paris.

They are also affected by the shifts that take places within society. They worry about burglary that perhaps the railroads brought on their community. Matty must also accept modifications in her own life, when the small bank she uses goes out of business. The women in town ultimately put aside their differences and pull together. They begin accepting the new ways because they have no choice. They are afraid of what lies ahead for them and want to cling to the old ways of life.

Cousin Phillis also deals with the same problem of change. Again, the railroad represents the new ways coming into the sterile Holman household and disrupts a great deal. There have been no outside forces until Paul visits. Although the changes begin with him, everyone is to blame. With the technology moving in, it is inevitable that outside forces will eventually influence the home. The unwillingness to change leads to the fall of the family.

To conclude, the ideal and harmonious environment in both novels are faces with the change of technology, although no one wants to face them. In each novel, Gaskell shows the reader that people must accept the change in their life no matter how uncertain it may be. The characters do accept these changes in both books because of necessity.