In this way, Orwell could write from first hand experience, resulting in his writing being well informed, and creating an authentic picture of life for the urban poor. Gaskell on the other hand, although equally well meaning, wrote from outside observations, which is perhaps why her attitude towards the working man was that much more condescending. .
In the preface to Mary Barton, Gaskell outlines her reasons for writing the book. Her initial intention seems well enough, to highlight the plight of "careworn men who looked as if doomed to struggle through their lives", although even at this early stage, one detects a slightly patronizing tone, and one would even go so far as to say a slight ignorance of working class people. In the following example, Gaskell implies that the legitimate complaints of the working classes against their masters, are unfounded, and the hardship of their lives is merely Gods will.
Whether the bitter complaints made by them [the working class], of the neglect which they experienced from the prosperous-especially from the masters whose fortunes they helped to build up-were well founded or no, it is not for me to judge. It is enough to say, that this belief of injustice and unkindness which they endure from their fellow creatures, taints what might be resignation to gods will, and turns it to revenge in too many of the poor uneducated factory workers of Manchester. .
By using the word belief in describing the workers "belief of injustice and unkindness", Gaskell is practically undermining the workers claim by implying that it is just a belief and nothing more. Furthermore, Gaskell's explanation for the workers resignation to Gods Will turning to revenge, is because they are "uneducated factory workers" rather than underpaid and starving factory workers. Orwell was much more aware of the working class attitude, and wrote" if you treat people as the English working class have been treated during the past two centuries, you must expect them to resent it.