Through Mary Barton, Gaskell is trying to show his readers the problem between class systems, the upper, middle and lower classes. In Gaskell's novel he focuses mainly on the middle and lower classes. Mary Barton, her family and friends belong to the lower class system and her former lover, Harry Carson, his family and friends belong to the middle class. The lower class goes through many hardships in this novel, from losing loved ones, to losing jobs, and losing basic necessities. The middle class, however, experiences the loss of only one person, Harry Carson. The middle and lower classes don't always get along. An example is shown of how the owner and the workers of the factory have extremely different opinions about the mill fire. While the middle class did not suffer, those of the lower class certainly did: “The family music was a hungry lament, when they passed week after week” (Gaskell 53). John Barton, being the most bitter towards the rich and because wealth does not even recognize the lower class, sells some of his few possessions for shillings and gives those shillings to his friends who were more needy than him. This generosity is not present in the middle class. The plant's owner, Mr. Carson, who is middle class, thinks the fire “was an excellent opportunity to renovate their factory with world-class improvements, for which the insurance money would amply repaid. Yet they were in no hurry as far as business was concerned” (Gaskell 53). He uses this opportunity to think about himself instead of others, such as the fact that this tragedy has caused many former workers to become unemployed. The middle and lower classes don't like each other too much and they let everyone know it. For example, John Barton, Mary'...... middle of paper ......d with the common religion followed by the lower classes, would still hold a grudge for her son's death as well as seek revenge on Barton or Jem Wilson, which was his previous reason before hearing about forgiveness. The two class systems are now slowly starting to get along. Gaskell states that Mr. Carson wishes to share with others that “the Spirit of Christ” can become the “governing law between both parties” (335). If faith in God is present in one's life, then there should be no thoughts of class discrimination in one's heart. In both Remember the Titans and Mary Barton indifference is seen to have an effect on the less fortunate race or class. However, in both works, when a person or group stands up for what is considered “right” or “fair,” tolerance or unity begins to form. This result prevails among those who are intolerant.