The majority of literary critics are in agreement that Margaret Hale is Gaskell’s central character. Margaret’s emotional-social and psychological contexts have been studied to the nth degree by many literary critics because they consider her story as being of paramount importance. Fredrick Hale’s story, Margaret’s brother, is equally important, if no more. Fredrick is a minor figure, but he is the key to Milton’s connection with the rest of society. Fredrick, with his conflicting narratives, mirrors the events of Milton’s revolution, as well conflicts both at home and abroad. Gaskell has given Fredrick a narrative that is able to breathe. Others have claimed that Fredrick’s narratives were only to conceal the central story, but they failed to examine Fredrick’s adventure from a broader perspective. Fredrick, when viewed from a transatlantic perspective, begins to reflect the multitude of conflicts occurring in Milton. Gaskell quickly introduces Fredrick, even though the relationship between Fredrick and Margaret is unclear. Margaret relates Mr. Hales leaving the Church to Fredrick immediately when informed (Lee). Gaskell suggests that Fredrick’s role will be much greater in the novel by mentioning the “minor” characters so early. Mrs. Hale mentions Fredrick frequently in conversation and thought. Lee believes that Fredrick takes up “too many” of Lee’s own character. She often wishes to have her son physically present. Margaret doesn’t seem concerned at first about Fredrick, but her attitude changes towards the end. Margaret is so concerned about Fredrick that she becomes distracted from her everyday tasks after Fredrick suddenly appears in the plot. Fredrick’s story is nestled conveniently at the very end of Volume 1. This serves as Volume 2. Fredrick Hale is therefore the pivotal character in the novel. Fredrick Hale’s importance goes beyond that of a secondary figure. Fredrick Hale is introduced in the novel by describing his occupation and briefly mentioning the mutiny. Fredrick’s rebellion is directly compared to the strike that followed in Milton. Fredrick didn’t really “strike” but he succeeded in causing a disruption to the social order, just as Milton’s strikers did. Gaskell suggests the importance Fredrick by letting Milton know about Fredrick’s mutiny. The mutiny anticipates Thornton, whose business practices mirror those of an Enlightened Despot. Also, the problems that strike participants may encounter are hinted at by the mutiny (Lee). Fredrick’s experience in the Navy will be explored to help further understand his significance. Hale is an example of a character who represents the opposite side to Milton’s societal relationships. Fredrick’s ability to transcend boundaries is not limited by geography, but also by hypothetical ones. Milton’s caste-like rigidity contrasts sharply with the fluidity of Fredrick. Fredrick enjoys a similar status to his sister. Fredrick’s class is not clearly defined, so he is elevated to a higher class. Fredrick is from a family that is largely middle class, but he loses class when he goes sailing. Fredrick shares many similarities with slaves because of the cruelty shown by his captain. Captain Reid treated Fredrick in a manner that is similar to how an American slave would be treated. Bolster says that sailors were regularly flogged. It was a practice which became lethal at the height British Impressment. Gaskell links Fredrick with capitalism by comparing his transatlantic mistreatment of slaves. Fredrick’s role as the link between nations is fundamental to capitalism. Hale connects the cotton-producing Antebellum South with the North of England. Gaskell’s novel takes on a broader global perspective, reflecting the emergence of capitalism, when viewed from this connection. Fredrick’s connection to cotton shows that the American interest and ambitions can affect Britain. This could impact the domestic relationship, especially with regards to labor. Around the publication date, England’s domestic situation was very bad. In the nineteenth-century global economy, the stability of the English domestic market was directly affected by American stability. The rising tensions of Milton can be explained by a turbulent economy in America. The link between America, England and the United States, which is primarily based on societal relationships and capitalism, plays a crucial role in the plot, since the fate of both nations are intertwined. Text allows connections between England, United States of America due to economic linkage between two nations. Worker relations and slavery can be used to examine the main link. Lee argues that Gaskell often used her novels to portray social conditions, not just in England but America. Around the publishing date, British people became more aware that slave narratives often featured “cruelmasters” and “scenes with whippings”. Fredrick’s accounts of mistreatment aboard HMS Russell reflect many slave stories from that era. Fredrick’s tale is similar to that of another slave who shared the same surname as him, Fredrick Douglass. Both Fredricks share a common theme: a revolt to a brutal master. Lee argues the character Leonards, an old friend of Fredrick, reflects the Underground Railroad and its consequences, in particular the constant struggle between freedom and risking being caught. Fredrick is also a slave not only to capitalism, but also an American slavery. Hale is employed as a ship captain based largely on the global market. The text suggests Milton, England and Fredrick are all likely to fall prey eventually to capitalism. Fredrick’s stories are therefore based on slave narratives. As a result, they portray Fredrick to be a man with no national identity. Fredrick lacks a distinct identity in contrast to the other characters of the novel. The other characters’ identities may change but they remain. Fredrick finds himself caught in the middle of two nations: his country of birth and Spain, where he is now living. Hale’s Identity Crisis is a representation for the English Identity Crisis, because England is undergoing a transition from an agrarian Southern society to the industrial Northern society. But it is still not fully part of either. Fredrick is a character who has no identity or social class. However, after a brief appearance he causes characters to change. Fredrick has the most to do with the transformation of his sister. Fredrick, who is only in Milton for a short time, can comfort Margaret when she appears to be distressed. After Mrs. Hale died, the roles of both men and women changed. Margaret must comfort not only an upset Mr. Hale, she also has to comfort her brother. Margaret’s feelings are more apparent after Fredrick appears. Thornton became hostile towards Fredrick after Fredrick made his visit. Margaret could have been adamant about not lying to the inspector in order to protect Fredrick. Margaret’s actions reveal that she loves the only person in her family. Fredrick’s return changes Margaret again, despite the emotional turmoil. Margaret’s transformation to the patriarch takes place from this moment on. Margaret’s confidence slowly grows after she spent time with Fredrick. She eventually takes over the Marlborough Mills. Margaret is indirectly affected by globalization because she learns to speak a different language. Mrs. Hale became disgusted at Margaret’s decision to trade her Helstone-like tongue for “horrid Milton” (Lee). Margaret shows us that, while Fredrick may not be directly responsible for these events, she is also a victim to globalization. Thornton’s financial and personal distress is directly linked to Fredrick. Fredrick, whom Thornton mistakenly believes to be Margaret’s love interest, attacks Thornton’s personality. Thornton’s personality is attacked by Fredrick, who he mistakenly believes to be Margaret’s lover. Thornton, because of incompetent Irish scabs he is bound by, quickly loses the fortune he started with. Thornton changes his mind about Margaret and the workers’ relations despite the sudden loss of money. Thornton would not have changed if Fredrick had never existed. Fredrick represents the new global capitalist economy. Fredrick should be treated with equal respect, and perhaps even more so, by both critics and readers. Gaskell is right to give him a significant part in the book, but we need to look at him critically. Fredrick is Gaskell’s way of presenting the dangers of doing business in the fledgling global capitalist economy. Fredrick does not belong to a particular social class but his ability transcend Victorian social restrictions is paramount. It shows that Hale has no national identity and is more of a global citizen by comparing Fredrick to the slave novels. Gaskell’s Fredrick hypothesizes the future of globalized social, political, and economic implications. Bolster, W. Jeffrey. Black Jacks, African American Seamen at the Age of Sails. The Journal of American History 1997: n.pag. JSTOR. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. Gaskell, Elizabeth. The book North and South is about a man from the North who moves to the South and deals with the differences in the two regions. London: Penguin, 1995. Print. Sun-Joo Lee, Julia. “The Transnational politics of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North And South” in Nineteenth-Century Literature (61.4) (2007), 449-78. JSTOR. Web.
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