How we cite our quotes: (Volume.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her mouth was wide; no rosebud that could open only just enough to let out a "yes" and "no," and "an't please you, sir." (1.2.4)
You can tell by the description of Margaret's mouth that she isn't the type of shy, Victorian woman who'll just be timid and not argue with anyone. Quite the contrary: it seems like Margaret is always looking for a good argument.
Quote #2
How different men were to women! Here was she disturbed and unhappy, because her instinct had made anything but a refusal impossible; while he, not many minutes after he had met with a rejection of what ought to have been the deepest, holiest proposal of his life, could speak as if briefs, success, and all its superficial consequences of a good house, clever and agreeable society, were the sole avowed objects of his desires. (1.4.2)
Margaret can't believe how easy it seems for Henry Lennox to have polite conversation with her parents only minutes after getting his marriage proposal rejected. Margaret, on the other hand, feels totally awkward and doesn't say much at dinner.
Quote #3
In the first place, Margaret felt guilty and ashamed of having grown so much into a woman as to be thought of in marriage. (1.4.6)
Somewhere along the line, Margaret Hale forgot that she was growing up. And now that she's grown up, she has men coming up to her and asking for her hand in marriage. She's actually ashamed by the thought that a man would ask her to marry him, mainly because she thinks she's too good for any man she's ever met. She likes to set her sights on more important things like community and morality.
Quote #4
She did not mind meeting any number of girls, loud spoken and boisterous though they might be. But she alternately dreaded and fired up against the workmen, who commented not on her dress, but on her looks, in the same open fearless manner. (1.8.19)
Once she arrives in Milton, Margaret doesn't mind the fact that many of the town's women are loud and rough around the edges. But she dreads the men, who always seem to be staring at her with sexual looks and comments.
Quote #5
"Perhaps our Milton girls have too much spirit and good feeling to go angling after husbands; but this Miss Hale comes out of the aristocratic counties, where, if all tales be true, rich husbands are reckoned prizes." (1.9.29)
Mrs. Thornton knows that the girls of Milton have the good sense not to be aggressive and try to attract men openly. But she doesn't trust Margaret, whom she fears will use every dirty trick in the book to land a rich husband like her son, John.
Quote #6
She was glad when the gentlemen came, not merely because she caught her father's eye to brighten her sleepiness up; but because she could listen to something larger and grander than the petty interests which the ladies had been talking about. (1.20.32)
Margaret is happy when she's in the company of men, at least when she's at a party. She prefers their talk of politics and philosophy to the women, who just talk about dresses and superficial stuff.
Quote #7
"Th' stone were meant for thee; but thou wert sheltered behind a woman!" (1.22.48)
When Margaret gets hit in the head with a rock, the man who threw it is quick to point out that he wanted to hit John Thornton. Instead of apologizing, though, the guy uses this opportunity to insult John's masculinity by accusing him of hiding behind a woman.
Quote #8
"Are you become so helpless as to have to be defended by a girl?' asked Mrs. Thornton, scornfully." (1.23.13)
The man from the angry mob isn't the only one to question John Thornton's masculinity. His own mother is quick to pounce on him when she hears that Margaret Hale ran to his aid to protect him from the workers' mob. And as you can see, Mrs. Thornton doesn't think much of men who can't defend themselves.
Quote #9
It took up both his hands to carry it; and he had to pass through the busiest part of the town for feminine shopping. Many a young lady of his acquaintance turned to look after him, and thought it strange to see him occupied just like a porter or an errand-boy. (2.2.16)
John Thornton goes out to buy some fruit for Mrs. Hale when he hears that she is very ill. Instead of sending a servant to the market, though, he goes himself. This is strange for a man to be grocery shopping, but Mr. Thornton is too busy thinking of Mrs. Hale (and probably Margaret) to worry about appearing manly at this time.
Quote #10
"You! My dear, women do not generally go." (2.8.7)
One unfortunate custom of Victorian England was that women were generally not supposed to go to funerals. The fear was that women were too emotional and would ruin the solemn occasion by crying too loudly. This is one of those moments where you wish you had a time machine so you could go into the past and punch the people who enforced these kinds of views right in the nose.