Set in the industrial city of Manchester in the mid-19th century. The story follows the titular character, Mary Barton, a working-class girl who lives with her father, a factory worker, and her aunt in a small house in the city's impoverished area. Mary falls in love with Jem Wilson, a fellow factory worker who is also a trade union activist. However, when Mary's father becomes embroiled in a labor dispute, he accuses Jem of the murder of a local mill owner, leading to Jem's imprisonment and Mary's estrangement from him. "Mary Barton" offers a poignant portrait of life in 19th century Manchester, highlighting the struggles of the working-class and the importance of empathy and compassion in navigating societal divides.