Put Yourself in His Place

"Put Yourself in His Place" by Charles Reade is a story set in the gritty industrial town of Hillsborough, whose landscape reflects the ugliness of its moral decay and the tense social conflicts of its time. We meet Guy Raby, a proud Tory squire, who represents the old aristocratic values, and Henry Little, a determined craftsman, as their paths begin to cross. The story is steeped in themes of social class, the importance of family ties, and how industry has changed society's core values. The novel starts by showing the rough world of Hillsborough compared to the peace of the nearby countryside, which shows the rising tensions in society. We learn about a strange abandoned church on Cairnhope, that sets the stage for future events, and we witness Guy Raby clinging to his aristocratic beliefs while looking down on the working class. His sister, Edith, secretly marries a tradesman, causing a major conflict in her family, and we follow Henry Little, navigating the challenging world of trade unions, drawn to the upper class while facing suspicion from his own. As the pressure between social dreams and old prejudices grows, the story sets up a battle of wills and deep self-reflection for everyone involved.