Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is a novel that delicately portrays the society and human relationships of the Victorian era. The story is set in the small town of Hollingford and centers on the growth of the protagonist, Molly Gibson, as she navigates conflicts and love intertwined with the people around her. When her father remarries, Molly gains a new stepmother and stepsister, which leads her to experience a range of emotions and complex social relationships. The novel realistically depicts the challenges faced by women of the time and the intricacies of a patriarchal society, with Gaskell’s signature warm and perceptive style capturing the inner lives of her characters.

I. THE DAWN OF A GALA DAY.
II. A NOVICE AMONGST THE GREAT FOLK.
III. MOLLY GIBSON'S CHILDHOOD.
IV. MR. GIBSON'S NEIGHBOURS.
V. CALF-LOVE.
VI. A VISIT TO THE HAMLEYS.
VII. FORESHADOWS OF LOVE PERILS.
VIII. DRIFTING INTO DANGER.
IX. THE WIDOWER AND THE WIDOW.
X. A CRISIS.
XI. MAKING FRIENDSHIP.
XII. PREPARING FOR THE WEDDING.
XIII. MOLLY GIBSON'S NEW FRIENDS.
XIV. MOLLY FINDS HERSELF PATRONIZED.
XV. THE NEW MAMMA.
XVI. THE BRIDE AT HOME.
XVII. TROUBLE AT HAMLEY HALL.
XVIII. MR. OSBORNE'S SECRET.
XIX. CYNTHIA'S ARRIVAL.
XX. MRS. GIBSON'S VISITORS.
XXI. THE HALF-SISTERS.
XXII. THE OLD SQUIRE'S TROUBLES.
XXIII. OSBORNE HAMLEY REVIEWS HIS POSITION.
XXIV. MRS. GIBSON'S LITTLE DINNER.
XXV. HOLLINGFORD IN A BUSTLE.
XXVI. A CHARITY BALL.
XXVII. FATHER AND SONS.
XXVIII. RIVALRY.
XXIX. BUSH-FIGHTING.
XXX. OLD WAYS AND NEW WAYS.
XXXI. A PASSIVE COQUETTE.
XXXII. COMING EVENTS.
XXXIII. BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.
XXXIV. A LOVER'S MISTAKE.
XXXV. THE MOTHER'S MANŒUVRE.
XXXVI. DOMESTIC DIPLOMACY.
XXXVII. A FLUKE, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
XXXVIII. MR. KIRKPATRICK, Q.C.
XXXIX. SECRET THOUGHTS OOZE OUT.
XL. MOLLY GIBSON BREATHES FREELY.
XLI. GATHERING CLOUDS.
XLII. THE STORM BURSTS.
XLIII. CYNTHIA'S CONFESSION.
XLIV. MOLLY GIBSON TO THE RESCUE.
XLV. CONFIDENCES.
XLVI. HOLLINGFORD GOSSIPS.
XLVII. SCANDAL AND ITS VICTIMS.
XLVIII. AN INNOCENT CULPRIT.
XLIX. MOLLY GIBSON FINDS A CHAMPION.
L. CYNTHIA AT BAY.
LI. "TROUBLES NEVER COME ALONE."
LII. SQUIRE HAMLEY'S SORROW.
LIII. UNLOOKED-FOR ARRIVALS.
LIV. MOLLY GIBSON'S WORTH IS DISCOVERED.
LV. AN ABSENT LOVER RETURNS.
LVI. "OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE, AND ON WITH THE NEW."
LVII. BRIDAL VISITS AND ADIEUX.
LVIII. REVIVING HOPES AND BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.
LIX. MOLLY GIBSON AT HAMLEY HALL.
LX. ROGER HAMLEY'S CONFESSION.
CONCLUDING REMARKS: