Gaskell was a prominent author of the Victorian age. Her fictional novels, such as Cranford and novella, My Lady Ludlow, were serialised in Dickens’ Household Words. One of these novels, North and South, delved into the themes of social unrest, industrialisation, and class conflict. It highlights the struggle of workers against factory owners, set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution in the fictional town of Milton. While the novel is not intended as an exact portrayal of the Preston strike and lock-out, North and South portrays social issues that were widespread amongst working-class people during this period. Despite issues with accuracy, Gaskell’s work helped shape the popular image of mill workers, including women and girls.