North and South Lesson Plan

Chapter 33 details Mrs. Hale’s funeral, and the reader is able to infer some Victorian mourning/funeral traditions. Name some of these and explain your reaction to them.

First, it is clear that Margaret is not expected to attend her own mother’s funeral. This, she implies, is a tradition in the middle-class, as women “have no power over their emotions, and yet are ashamed of showing them.” Because of this tradition, Mr. Hale is preparing to invite a close male friend to attend with him. Margaret, however, insists upon going, even if it defies convention. Second, the Thorntons offer to “send their carriage” to the funeral, which is a gesture of respect (though one that...