Charlotte Brontë

Synopsis

'Dangerous as lucifer matches.' That was how Arthur Nicholls, Charlotte Brontë's husband for the last nine months of her life, described her letters. Full of acute observations, pithy character sketches, and passionate convictions, the letters are our most direct source of information about the lives of the Brontës and our closest approach to the author of Jane Eyre. In them Charlotte writes of life at Haworth Parsonage, her experiences at a Belgian school, and her intense feelings for the Belgian schoolteacher, M. Heger. She endures the agony of the death of her siblings, and enjoys the success as a writer that brings her into contact with the London literary scene. Vivid and intimate, her letters give fresh insight into the novels, and into the development of her distinct literary style. Margaret Smith's fine edition includes invaluable notes on Brontë's correspondents, and Janet Gezari contributes a new introduction that relates the letters to both Brontë's life and her creative accomplishment. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Haworth Parsonage

* Sets the scene of Haworth Parsonage, the isolated rural home of the Brontë family.
* Describes the family's austere and religious life, dominated by their father, Patrick Brontë, a strict Anglican clergyman.
* Introduces Charlotte Brontë, the third of six siblings, and her two sisters, Emily and Anne.

Example:

"The walls were bare and whitewashed, the furniture sparse and functional. The only ornament was a portrait of their father, his stern face gazing sternly down at them."

Chapter 2: Childhood and Education

* Chronicles the Brontë children's early years, marked by imaginative play, writing, and a love of solitude.
* Discusses their limited formal education and their self-directed studies in literature, history, and philosophy.
* Describes their bond with their elder brother, Branwell, who becomes a talented but troubled artist.

Example:

"They would spend hours reading and writing together, their imaginations soaring through the bleak Yorkshire moors."

Chapter 3: Literary Aspirations

* Explores the Brontë sisters' growing passion for writing and their early attempts at poetry and short stories.
* Describes their formation of a literary society, inspired by the works of Byron and Scott.
* Reveals their struggle to get their work published due to their status as women and provincial writers.

Example:

"Their poems were rejected by numerous magazines, but they refused to give up their dream of becoming published authors."

Chapter 4: Jane Eyre

* Focuses on the creation and publication of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece, "Jane Eyre."
* Discusses the novel's autobiographical elements and its critique of Victorian society's gender roles and class divisions.
* Analyzes the character of Jane Eyre as a prototypical feminist heroine.

Example:

"The novel was rejected by many publishers before finally being accepted by Smith, Elder & Co. Its success was immediate, establishing Charlotte Brontë as a major literary figure."

Chapter 5: Fame and Family

* Explores the impact of "Jane Eyre" on Charlotte Brontë's life and the Brontë family.
* Describes her newfound fame and literary friendships, as well as the pressures and expectations it brought.
* Discusses the sisters' continued writing and the tragic deaths of Emily and Anne.

Example:

"Charlotte became a sought-after celebrity, but her personal life was marred by Branwell's addiction and the loss of her siblings."

Chapter 6: Legacy and Impact

* Examines Charlotte Brontë's literary legacy and her enduring influence on literature.
* Discusses the enduring popularity of "Jane Eyre" and her other works as well as their feminist and social themes.
* Considers her contributions to the development of the Victorian novel and her place in the literary canon.

Example:

"Charlotte Brontë's novels continue to be widely read and studied today, inspiring and empowering readers with their timeless insights into the human experience."