Why You Should Read The Brontë Sisters: Best Novels

The Brontë sisters are a trio of talented women who have contributed greatly to the world of literature. Born and raised in Haworth, a small village in Yorkshire, England, the sisters – Charlotte, Emily, and Anne – produced some of the most well-known and celebrated works of the 19th century. Their novels have stood the test of time and continue to be popular to this day. In this article, we will explore the lives of the Brontë sisters and take a closer look at their literary works.

Table of Contents

Who Were The Brontë Sisters?

The Brontë sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, were born to Patrick Brontë, an Irish Anglican priest, and his wife Maria Branwell Brontë. Maria passed away when the children were young, leaving their father to raise them. The siblings were home-schooled by their father and were encouraged to read from a young age. They spent most of their time reading books and creating stories and poems.

They started their literary career writing under pseudonyms as it was not considered appropriate for women to pursue writing as a career during the 19th century. Women writers faced discrimination and social stigma, and it was difficult for them to get their works published and taken seriously by the literary establishment.

To overcome these challenges, the Bronte sisters chose male pseudonyms: Currer Bell for Charlotte, Ellis Bell for Emily, and Acton Bell for Anne. By using male names, they hoped to conceal their gender and avoid the prejudice that women writers faced at the time.

The Brontë sisters’ decision to write under pseudonyms allowed them to express their creativity and share their stories with the world, despite the societal constraints they faced. Today, their works are considered some of the greatest in English literature and continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world.

Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë is the oldest of the Brontë siblings, born on April 21, 1816. She is best known for her novel, Jane Eyre, which was published in 1847. The novel is a bildungsroman that tells the story of Jane Eyre, an orphan who becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. The novel explores themes of love, social class, and gender roles. Charlotte also wrote two other novels, Shirley and Villette, and a collection of poems.

Emily Brontë

Emily Brontë was born on July 30, 1818. She is famous for her novel Wuthering Heights, which was published in 1847, the same year as Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights tells the story of the passionate and destructive love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, and explores themes of class, revenge, and the supernatural. Emily also wrote poetry, and her collection of poems, published posthumously, is highly regarded.

Anne Brontë

Anne Brontë is the youngest of the Brontë siblings, born on January 17, 1820. She is known for her novels, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Agnes Grey is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of a governess, and explores themes of social class and morality. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a feminist novel that tells the story of a woman who leaves her abusive husband and starts a new life. Anne also wrote poetry, and her collection of poems was published posthumously.

Literary Legacy

The Brontë sisters’ novels were ground-breaking in their time, and continue to be popular to this day. Their works were characterized by their vivid descriptions of nature, their exploration of social class and gender roles, and their strong, independent female characters. The sisters’ use of the first person narrative was also innovative for the time, allowing readers to experience the story through the eyes of the protagonist.

The Brontë sisters’ legacy in literature is far-reaching, influencing countless authors and works of fiction. They have also inspired adaptations in various forms of media, including film, television, and theatre. Their novels continue to be read and studied in schools and universities around the world, cementing their place in literary history.

Their novels are considered classics and continue to be studied and enjoyed by readers today. Here are some of the best novels by the Brontë sisters:

“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë

Published in 1847, Jane Eyre is one of the most famous novels by the Brontë sisters. It tells the story of Jane Eyre, an orphan who becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester. The novel explores themes of love, social class, and feminism, and is considered a masterpiece of Victorian literature.

“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, is Emily Brontë’s only novel. It tells the story of Heathcliff, a mysterious and brooding outsider, and his relationship with Catherine Earnshaw, the spirited and free-spirited daughter of a wealthy family. The novel is known for its dark and gothic atmosphere, and its exploration of themes of love, revenge, and the destructive power of passion.

RELATED: “Review: The Powerful Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë”.

“The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Anne Brontë

Published in 1848, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is Anne Brontë’s second and final novel. It tells the story of Helen Graham, a young widow who moves to Wildfell Hall with her son to escape her abusive husband. The novel explores themes of women’s rights, marriage, and domestic violence, and is considered a pioneering work of feminist literature.

“Shirley” by Charlotte Brontë

Published in 1849, Shirley is a novel that tells the story of two young women, Caroline Helstone and Shirley Keeldar, and their experiences in the industrial town of Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel explores themes of social change, women’s education, and the role of women in society.

“Villette” by Charlotte Brontë

Villette, published in 1853, is Charlotte Brontë’s final novel. It tells the story of Lucy Snowe, a young woman who moves to the fictional town of Villette to teach at a girls’ school. The novel explores themes of isolation, love, and the search for identity, and is considered one of the most complex and nuanced works of Victorian literature.

RELATED: British Classic Literature Books: A Timeless Collection of Masterpieces

Conclusion

The Brontë sisters were a remarkable trio of women who left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Their novels, characterized by their vivid descriptions of nature, their exploration of social class and gender roles, and their strong, independent female characters, continue to be popular to this day. The sisters’ legacy in literature is far-reaching and enduring, and they will always be remembered as some of the greatest writers of the 19th century.

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