He swallowed down the dry choking sobs which had been heaving up from his heart hitherto

He swallowed down the dry choking sobs which had been heaving up from his heart hitherto

In Elizabeth Gaskell's novel "North and South," the character John Thornton is depicted as a strong and stoic man who rarely shows his emotions. However, there are moments in the novel where his inner turmoil is revealed, such as when he swallows down the dry choking sobs that have been heaving up from his heart.

This particular moment occurs during a pivotal scene in the novel where Thornton is faced with the realization that he has lost the woman he loves, Margaret Hale. Despite his efforts to win her affections, Margaret ultimately chooses to be with another man, leaving Thornton heartbroken and devastated.

As he stands alone in his study, grappling with the pain of rejection, Thornton's emotions threaten to overwhelm him. The dry choking sobs that rise up from his heart are a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil, a desperate attempt to contain the flood of emotions threatening to consume him.