Set in the industrial city of Manchester, it vividly portrays the hardships and social inequalities faced by the working class during the Industrial Revolution. The novel focuses on the struggles of the working poor, particularly the Barton family, and explores themes of class conflict, poverty, and justice.
The protagonist, Mary Barton, is the daughter of a factory worker, John Barton. As her father grows increasingly bitter and resentful towards the wealthy mill owners, he becomes involved in a murder plot. Mary is caught in the moral conflict that arises from her father’s actions, while also navigating her own romantic and personal dilemmas.
Through the personal stories of Mary and her family, Gaskell highlights the plight of the working class and calls for greater understanding between the rich and poor. Mary Barton is recognized as an important social novel of its time, shedding light on the impact of industrialization and class divisions in Victorian England.

PREFACE.

I. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
II. A MANCHESTER TEA-PARTY.
III. JOHN BARTON'S GREAT TROUBLE.
IV. OLD ALICE'S HISTORY.
V. THE MILL ON FIRE?JEM WILSON TO THE RESCUE.
VI. POVERTY AND DEATH.
VII. JEM WILSON'S REPULSE.
VIII. MARGARET'S DEBUT AS A PUBLIC SINGER.
IX. BARTON'S LONDON EXPERIENCES.
X. RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL.
XI. MR. CARSON'S INTENTIONS REVEALED.
XII. OLD ALICE'S BAIRN.
XIII. A TRAVELLER'S TALES.
XIV. JEM'S INTERVIEW WITH POOR ESTHER.
XV. A VIOLENT MEETING BETWEEN THE RIVALS.
XVI. MEETING BETWEEN MASTERS AND WORKMEN.
XVII. BARTON'S NIGHT-ERRAND.
XVIII. MURDER.
XIX. JEM WILSON ARRESTED ON SUSPICION.
XX. MARY'S DREAM?AND THE AWAKENING.
XXI. ESTHER'S MOTIVE IN SEEKING MARY.
XXII. MARY'S EFFORTS TO PROVE AN ALIBI.
XXIII. THE SUB-PŒNA.
XXIV. WITH THE DYING.
XXV. MRS. WILSON'S DETERMINATION.
XXVI. THE JOURNEY TO LIVERPOOL.
XXVII. IN THE LIVERPOOL DOCKS.
XXVIII. "JOHN CROPPER, AHOY!"
XXIX. A TRUE BILL AGAINST JEM.
XXX. JOB LEGH'S DECEPTION.
XXXI. HOW MARY PASSED THE NIGHT.
XXXII. THE TRIAL AND VERDICT?"NOT GUILTY."
XXXIII. REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
XXXIV. THE RETURN HOME.
XXXV. "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES."
XXXVI. JEM'S INTERVIEW WITH MR. DUNCOMBE.
XXXVII. DETAILS CONNECTED WITH THE MURDER.
XXXVIII. CONCLUSION.