cyrillah:

crawleyhouse:

Isobel: “Well, I’m very sad. I thought Mary was made of better stuff.”

Matthew:  ”Don’t…speak against her.”  

                                           (Downton Abbey, Series 1 Episode 7)

John: “Mother! - I cannot hear a word against her.

          Spare me - Spare me! 

          I am very weak in my sore heart; - I love her yet;

          I love her more than ever.”

                                 (North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Chapter 26,                                     pg. 208 )

So glad someone made this comparison. How these two men relate to their mothers is interesting, particular when it comes to discussing the objects of their romantic entanglements. I like how both Matthew and Thornton ask their mothers to not speak ill of their women. But what is even more intriguing is the mothers themselves: both of them are strong, willful, opinionated, and rather controlling. And yet, they are immensely protective and loving towards their sons and will go so far as to disparage their sons’ lovers if the latter should fail them in some way. It’s ironic that both Mary and Margaret could easily be somewhat younger versions of Isobel and Hannah—all of them quite outspoken and used to getting their way. 

Is it jealousy or dismay that Isobel and Hannah react to? Is it that the younger women are better, or that they aren’t good enough?  

How did I never make this connection? Because this is brilliant.