North and South

Bell comes to Milton to visit. He thinks Milton has influenced Margaret with socialist ideas. Richard and Bell discuss how the men in Milton are uneducated. Bell extols the beauty of his home Oxford. Thornton comes for tea. Thornton did not want to hear how his mother’s meeting went with Margaret. His jealousy for her has grown but so has his love. Thornton resolves to not alter his behavior for her. Margaret has a letter from Lennox explaining there is no hope for a pardon for Frederick. Thornton does not understand much of the conversation as Bell and Thornton make many references to classic literature. Thornton and Bell debate how one should spend their time whether in the pursuit of knowledge or to earn money. Thornton does not understand the concept of leisure. Margaret defends Thornton saying he is a leader in Milton. Bell reminds them he is a Milton man, but he is much fonder of living in a university town. They debate the merits of a town being architecturally beautiful or functional. Thornton argues the people of Milton have been too busy working to make the town aesthetically pleasing. He champions the spirit of the people: “Our glory and our beauty arise out of our outward strength, which makes us victorious over material resistance, and over greater difficulty still” (455).