Charlotte Brontë's name is synonymous with English literature. Her powerful writing has resonated with readers for generations. This article takes a closer look at the life of this exceptional author and delves into the captivating stories that have cemented her place in literary history. Most notably, her groundbreaking novel, Jane Eyre, published in 1847, challenged the traditional beliefs of gender equality and sparked a literary revolution.
Charlotte Brontë was born in 1816 in Thornton, Yorkshire, the third child of six siblings. She was the eldest of the three Brontë sisters, all of whom would become accomplished writers. At the young age of five, Charlotte's mother passed away, and the sisters were raised by their father, Patrick, an Anglican clergyman. In 1824, the girls were sent to Cowan Bridge, a school for the children of clergy, but Charlotte despised the strict and oppressive environment. This experience would later serve as inspiration for the infamous Lowood school in Jane Eyre. Tragically, her sisters Maria and Elizabeth contracted tuberculosis and passed away after attending Cowan Bridge. After this heartbreaking loss, the sisters withdrew from the school and spent the next five years writing and playing games at home.
At the age of seventeen, Charlotte attended Roe Head school in Mirfield, where she formed a strong bond with Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor. Their influence on Charlotte is evident in her work, and readers have enjoyed analyzing their friendship through Charlotte's collection of letters. Despite receiving marriage proposals from Ellen's brother and a clergyman, Charlotte was determined to break free from societal expectations and the need for male validation.
After her time at Roe Head, Charlotte returned to her home in Haworth, where she wrote letters to Constantin Heger, a teacher she met while studying in Brussels. Despite speculations that their correspondence was romantic in nature, Charlotte remained emotionally disciplined and suppressed her feelings. Along with her sister Emily, she also attempted to start a school in Haworth, but it was not successful and eventually closed. Tragedy struck once again when her brother Branwell passed away in 1848, followed by the deaths of Emily and Anne. Charlotte was the last surviving Brontë sibling.
In the 19th century, it was uncommon for women to become published authors. Therefore, Charlotte used the pseudonym Currer Bell to increase her chances of recognition. She had been writing since childhood and, in 1845, she, along with her sisters, self-published a collection of poems titled Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Although the collection was not a commercial success and only two copies were sold, Charlotte persevered and went on to publish two novels, Shirley in 1849 and Villette in 1853. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1855, at the young age of 38, while writing her novel Emma. She died during her pregnancy, leaving behind only a few pages of the unfinished manuscript.
Contrary to popular belief, Charlotte Brontë had an Irish accent, as her father was originally from Northern Ireland. She also admired the Duke of Wellington, much like teenagers idolize celebrities today. And while she wrote about the character of Jane Eyre as a governess, Brontë herself disliked teaching and her pupils, as revealed in her diary.
Charlotte Brontë's incredible writing and determination to challenge societal norms have paved the way for future female writers. Her legacy lives on through her influential works, and her life serves as an inspiration for aspiring authors everywhere.
Jane Eyre is a bildungsroman that follows the life of an orphan girl, Jane, as she navigates challenges and experiences on her path to womanhood. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, education, and finding one's place in society. Other famous examples of bildungsroman include Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. Charlotte Brontë's characters and stories are known for their depth and insight into the human condition.
In Shirley, Brontë tells the story of two women, Caroline and Shirley, who have vastly different lives. Despite their contrasting personalities and circumstances, they become close friends and face life's challenges together. The novel delves into themes of unrequited love and the battle between reason and emotion. Interestingly, the success of Shirley led to a surge in the popularity of the name for girls, as it was previously considered a male name.
Journey to Belgium: A Tale of Love and Heartbreak
In Villette, the protagonist Lucy Snowe, a 23-year-old woman, travels to Belgium after a family tragedy and finds work as a nanny. The novel follows her adventures and touches on themes of romance and heartbreak, as she falls in love with a colleague amidst complications and interference from others. Many believe this novel was influenced by Brontë's own experiences in Brussels, where she formed a strong bond with a married teacher, similar to the relationship between Lucy and Paul in the novel.
Examining key quotes from Brontë's novels and personal letters provides valuable insight into her character and views on life. These insights help us better understand her work and her perspective on society.
In a letter to her friend Ellen Nussey, Brontë reveals the challenges of her experience as a governess. As a woman in the 1800s, she was expected to write in a polite manner, as evident in her letter. She makes an effort to ensure her host does not go through too much trouble for her arrival, as she claims to be content with simple fare. She also mentions her poor health, which she attributes to her eating habits.
Brontë also expresses her discontent with her occupation, stating that she feels miserable when she dwells on the thought of spending her life as a governess. This quote highlights the parallels between her own life and the character of Jane Eyre, who also struggles with similar feelings of constraint and control over her emotions.
Charlotte's strict control over her emotions is evident in the phrase "when I allow myself to dwell," showing that she only permits herself to think about these things for a brief amount of time before getting back to her work. Her use of the word "necessity" in reference to her job reveals her view of work as an obligation to support her family. This letter can also be interpreted as a declaration of Charlotte's misery rather than a display of her discipline over her emotions. Many readers have noted Charlotte's liveliness in her letter writing - much like Jane, she feels the desire to express her feelings, resulting in a stream-of-consciousness style of writing.
Unveiling Patriarchal Oppression: Key Quotes from Brontë's Novels
One of the most renowned quotes from the novel is, "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will." Brontë utilizes a clever metaphor to highlight the oppressive position of women in the 19th century. By comparing women to caged birds, she not only captures the feeling of being confined by male patriarchs in marriage and family, but also alludes to the idea of women being owned by men. This quote speaks to the commodification of women by their fathers and husbands, reducing them to objects instead of individuals with their own sovereign will.
A Triumph of Self-Determination: "Reader, I married him."
Perhaps the most recognizable quote from the text is, "Reader, I married him." This sentence encapsulates Jane's triumph over the obstacles and hardships she faces, as she finally takes charge of her own happiness and decides to marry. The phrasing "I married him" presents Jane as an assertive woman who actively chooses to marry Rochester, rather than being a passive participant in the relationship. This portrayal of female autonomy in marriage was unconventional for both literature and society at the time.
Women as Toys: An Insight into Brontë's Social Commentary
In her novel Shirley, Brontë comments on the behavior of men who seek amusement from women and then discard them when they are no longer entertaining. By describing women as "toys to play with," she brings attention to the objectification and subjugation of women, who were expected to serve men as obedient wives.
Charlotte Brontë, a renowned writer known for her classic novels, challenged societal expectations of women through her strong and independent female characters. In her works, she often explores the theme of men preferring unintelligent and submissive women, highlighting the societal pressure on women to conform to male desires.
Brontë's love for writing and adventure is evident in her travels to Brussels and her passion for literature. Despite struggling with depression, she never gave up on life and expressed her belief that God has a purpose for our existence on Earth. Her faith in God may have been influenced by her father's role as a clergyman, which is reflected in her writing through various quotes.
Brontë's famous quote, "Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs," reflects her belief in the significance of literature. She believed that books can help us make sense of the world and prepare us for the struggles we may face in life. This belief is evident in her novel Villette, where the protagonist Lucy shares the same sentiment.
After losing three of her siblings, Brontë wrote Villette, reflecting her own vulnerabilities and emotions. Her character Lucy, portrayed as a strong and independent woman, also struggles with her emotions and fears, highlighting the human experience of vulnerability and loneliness.
As an evangelical Christian, Brontë believed in controlling one's emotions and staying grounded through rationality and faith. This is seen in Lucy's attempts to manage her emotions and stay grounded in tough times.
Brontë's unique writing style sets her apart from other authors. Let's take a closer look at what makes her writing stand out.
One of the notable features of Brontë's writing is her use of long sentences and semicolons, giving a sense of stream of consciousness. In her novel Villette, she writes, "While I looked, my inner self moved; my spirit shook its always-fettered wings half loose; I had a sudden feeling as if I, who never yet truly lived, were at last about to taste life. In that morning my soul grew as fast as Jonah's gourd." This writing style draws readers in, encouraging them to continue reading to discover the character's emotions. Brontë also cleverly alternates between long and short sentences, adding depth and realism to her writing.
Brontë skillfully incorporates allegory and symbolism in her works, bringing her writing to life and conveying her ideas beyond the pages. For instance, in Jane Eyre, the chestnut tree symbolizes the relationship between Rochester and Jane, while Bertha represents the oppression of women during that time. The chestnut tree splitting during a thunderstorm foreshadows the divide between Rochester and Jane, and the tree in full bloom reflects Jane's happiness in their union. Similarly, Bertha's fate trapped in the attic represents the struggle of women in society.
There has been much discussion about the character of Bertha in Charlotte Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre. Some believe that Bertha symbolizes Jane's inner frustrations with the patriarchal system and the subordinate position of women in society. Others argue that, as a clergyman's daughter, Brontë may have used Bertha as a cautionary tale to warn readers about the consequences of recklessness. A closer examination of Jane and Bertha reveals themes of gender and autonomy within the text.
Top tip: To delve deeper into Bertha's character and role in Jane Eyre, consider reading Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea (1996). This novel explores Bertha's life before and during her relationship with Rochester, providing insight into her erratic behavior in Jane Eyre.
Brontë's novels are known for their bold and rebellious heroines who challenge societal norms. Jane, in particular, stands out for her defiance from a young age and her decision to leave Rochester when she feels disrespected. Instead of conforming to societal expectations and pressures, Jane asserts her independence and seeks fulfillment on her own terms before ultimately reuniting with Rochester on equal footing.
Brontë's writing is a blend of various genres that allows her to explore a wide range of themes, including love, loss, religion, morals, and family. Her novel Jane Eyre (1847) combines elements of mystery, romance, and gothic fiction. The gothic genre is evident in the supernatural occurrences at Thornfield Hall and the eerie setting of the moors. The mystery genre is apparent in the unexplained events, such as the fire in Rochester's room. And the romance genre is portrayed through the complex relationships between Jane, Rochester, and St John. This fusion of genres showcases Brontë's versatility as a writer who pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Like many writers, Brontë's personal experiences had a significant impact on her writing. Love and marriage are recurring themes in her novels, likely influenced by her tumultuous love life and rejection of multiple suitors. This is reflected in her nuanced portrayal of love as a complex and challenging emotion. Her heroines, Shirley and Jane, also reject marriage proposals, displaying Brontë's strong sense of self and high standards.
While Brontë's depiction of love is grounded in reality, she also infuses a touch of the unreal. In Villette (1853), protagonist Lucy struggles with love and loss, just like Jane and Shirley, demonstrating Brontë's honest portrayal of love as unpredictable and complex. Yet, in her novels, love ultimately triumphs, resulting in somewhat unrealistic happy endings. For instance, in Jane Eyre, Rochester regains his sight when Jane returns to him, adding a hint of fantasy to the storyline.
Brontë's family played a crucial role in her life and is reflected in her writing. She experienced loss from a young age, with the deaths of her parents and all of her siblings. This theme of death is prevalent in many of her works as characters grapple with mortality. Brontë's portrayal of family dynamics is also influenced by her personal experiences, with broken and complex relationships mirroring her own. However, she emphasizes the importance of a strong and loving family for overall happiness, as seen in Jane's close bond with her friends Mary and Diana in Jane Eyre.
Charlotte Brontë, a renowned writer of the 19th century, was known for her incorporation of various themes into her works. As a strong advocate for education and knowledge, Brontë often weaves this theme into her novels, with notable examples in Jane Eyre. In this novel, the protagonist's experiences at Lowood shape her character and impact her relationships, reflecting the author's own belief in the significance of education. Furthermore, Brontë's personal friendships from school, such as with Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor, remained influential in her life even in her adulthood.
During the time Brontë wrote, death was a constant reality due to the short life expectancy. This is reflected in her works, where death often plays a crucial role in character development. However, despite her own difficult experiences with death, Brontë's belief in God's plan shines through as she sees tragedies as part of a larger purpose. In her novels, the death of one character often leads to the rebirth of another, exemplified by Jane and Rochester's final happiness in Jane Eyre and Lucy's journey in Villette.
Brontë was known for her strong moral compass, evident in her letters and actions. She prioritized the well-being of others and often suppressed her own emotions to do what she believed was right. This quality reflects in her character Jane, who also values moral self-control above personal desires.
Through her novels, such as Jane Eyre and Shirley, Brontë's characters struggle with the complexities of love and learn to manage their emotions. This mirrors the author's own experience with her unrequited love for Constantin Héger. Hence, Brontë's personal struggles heavily influenced her writing and the moral lessons she instilled through her characters.
As Charlotte Brontë grew up in the 1800s, religion played a significant role in her life. She attended a clergy school, and her father was an Evangelical Christian. Her faith served as her moral compass and provided comfort and guidance for her characters in times of hardship.
In Jane Eyre, the protagonist embodies purity and morality as she remains devoted to God and stays true to herself despite the challenges she faces. This serves as a reflection of Brontë's own values and the importance of religion in her life.
Brontë's writing style is characterized by long sentences and the frequent use of semi-colons, giving her works a stream of consciousness feel. Additionally, she skillfully employs allegory and symbolism to convey deeper meanings in her stories.
Brontë's own life experiences significantly influenced her writing, most notably her strained relationship with Constantin Héger. In Jane Eyre, the character of Jane is heavily inspired by Brontë's own restraint and emotional control, mirroring her challenges with love and loss. Sadly, Brontë's life came to a tragic end when she passed away during her pregnancy. However, her legacy lives on through her timeless works, notably Jane Eyre, first published in 1847. She is remembered as one of the greatest writers of all time, with her influential novels and unique writing style leaving a lasting impression on the English literary canon.
