“I'm capable of a great jerk, an effort, and then a relaxation—but steady, every-day goodness is beyond me. I must be a moral kangaroo!”

-Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

In our final episode before the summer break, Phoebe and Rachel are joined by their good friend, and long-time Risking Enchantment listener, Jacob Moran, to discuss his favourite novel: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. We discuss how Gaskell demonstrates the precariousness of the moral life, even or perhaps especially in middle class and comfortable lives. The novel highlights the need to cultivate every-day virtue and how easily we can stray from our principles. We explore these themes through the various contrasting characters, including Molly Gibson with her steadfast virtue in difficult circumstances, her step-mother Mrs Gibson with all her facade of care.

We hope you enjoy the summer and we look forward to returning with more Risking Enchantment episodes in September.

Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson, Jacob Moran

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast

Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com

Works Mentioned:

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Keeping Your Word: Unfashionable Virtues in North and South - Risking Enchantment

‘Advice’ by Robert Crawford

What We’re Enjoying at the Moment

Collective Recommendation:

The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel - Jenny Nicholson

Phoebe:

Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot - performed by CityLit Theatre, Chicago

Rachel:

Wildcat (2023)

Jacob:

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Extraordinary Virtue in Every-Day Stories: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell