Round the Sofa; Vol. 2

A collection of stories written in the mid-19th century. This volume includes several tales, including ''The Accursed Race'' and ''The Doom of the Griffiths,'' which explore themes of social prejudice, human relationships, and moral dilemmas. Gaskell's works often reflect the complexities of Victorian society, intertwining personal narratives with broader social issues, making her a notable figure in discussions of gender and class in literature. The opening of the volume introduces a group of characters engaged in a storytelling session, during which Mr. Dawson shifts the conversation to a paper he has prepared for the Philosophical Society concerning the historically marginalized Cagots, a persecuted race in France. As he details the harsh treatment and historical stigma surrounding the Cagots, Gaskell sets a tone of social critique, revealing the deep-rooted prejudices they endured. This serves as a precursor to later stories in the collection that similarly examine human complexities and societal injustices, paving the way for a narrative exploration of character and conflict in the subsequent tale of ''The Doom of the Griffiths,'' which delves into themes of family legacy and tragedy intertwined with folklore.