Through attention to detail, repeated comparisons, shifting tones, and dialogue that gives characters the opportunity to express their feelings, Elizabeth Gaskell creates a divide between the class poor worker and the rich one higher lesson to Mary Barton. Gaskell emphasizes the differences that separate both classes by describing the lavish, comfortable, and extravagant life that the rich enjoy and compares it to the poor, miserable life that the poor must survive. Although Gaskell shows the inequality present between both social classes, he also shows that there are similarities between them. The tone and diction change midway through the novel to highlight the factors that unite the poor and the rich. At the beginning of the story John Barton exclaims that "The rich know nothing of the trials of the poor..." (11), demonstrating that in addition to the quantity of material goods one possesses, what divides the two social classes is the ability to feel and experience difficulties. John Barton sees those of the upper class as cold individuals, incapable of feeling pain and sadness. Gaskell, however, refutes Barton and demonstrates that, although there are various differences that divide the two social classes, they are united by their ability to experience emotions and go through difficult times. Gaskell's novel reveals the problematic tension between the two social classes, but also offers a solution to this problem in the form of communication, which would allow both parties to talk about their worries and concerns and eliminate misunderstandings. Initially Gaskell creates a rift between the social classes by comparing the differences in their residences and lifestyles. The scene where John Bart... in the center of the paper... felt sympathy for him. Although Mr. Carson is not "poor", Gaskell uses this word to describe Mr. Carson to put him on the same level as Barton and show that they are not that different. The word "employer", used by Barton, is in sharp contrast to the previous title of "master" which he had given to Mr. Carson; the change reveals Barton's change of heart as he realizes that the enemy is not the employer but their inability to communicate with each other. Through Barton and Carson's dialogue Gaskell shows that although there may be differences between the two social classes, the real problem is their inability to communicate with each other, which leads to misunderstanding, hatred and antagonism, and often tragic consequences. Works Cited Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn, and Macdonald Daly. Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life.London: Penguin Books, 1996. Print.