Super Short Summary

Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell follows a virtuous young orphan, Ruth Hilton, who, after being seduced by a wealthy man and giving birth to an illegitimate child, faces societal condemnation. With the help of the Bensons, Ruth adopts a false identity and tries to rebuild her life in Eccleston while grappling with themes of redemption, hypocrisy, and parental love. The novel involves sensitive topics such as exploitation and societal judgment.