_Mary Barton_, _Lizzie Leigh_, _Ruth_, and _North and South_, Mrs.
Gaskell’s earlier novels, were written with a purpose—“to defend the
poor”—and in them she discusses some of the social problems of the day,
which she tried to solve. Later she proved how well she could write in a
humorous vein, as in _Cranford_, _Mr. Harrison’s Confessions_, and _My
Lady Ludlow_.
As a descriptive writer she excelled, notably in _Mary Barton_, _Ruth_,
_Cousin Phillis_, and _Sylvia’s Lovers_. She was always very observant,
and many of her stories recall her talent for exquisite word painting.