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The Life of Charlotte Bronte

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'The Life of Charlotte Bronte' by Elizabeth Gaskell is a sympathetic and romantic biography that captures Charlotte Bronte's essence and dedication to her work. The book delves into the tragic and difficult life of Charlotte Bronte, shedding light on her struggles and losses which influenced her literary works. Gaskell, being a contemporary of Bronte and a friend, provides personal insights and details that bring the reader closer to understanding the life of the famous author.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is informal and personal, capturing the essence of Bronte's life through letters and anecdotes.

Plot/Storyline:

The biography centers on Charlotte Bronte's life, her familial relationships, literary career, and the personal tragedies she faced.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in Yorkshire and Brussels, contextualizing Bronte's life within Victorian society.

Pacing:

The pacing is slower initially but becomes more engaging as it progresses, focusing on reflective content.
The Leeds and Bradford railway runs along a deep valley of the Aire; a slow and sluggish stream, compared to the neighbouring river of Wharfe. Keighley station is on this line of railway, about a quar...

Notes:

Elizabeth Gaskell was a close friend of Charlotte Bronte and wrote her biography shortly after Bronte's death.
Gaskell's biography aimed to correct rumors and present a more balanced view of Bronte's life.
The book is based on Gaskell's extensive research, including interviews with people who knew Bronte.
Charlotte Bronte conceived a strong emotional connection to a French teacher while studying in Brussels, an experience Gaskell explored in her biography.
Bronte's personality is described as intelligent and passionate, yet reserved in public.
Critics accused Bronte's novels of being coarse and unsuitable for women, partly due to the fact that she was unmarried when she published them.
Charlotte Bronte's dislike for Jane Austen's work reflects her more serious and passionate perspective on women’s lives.
Gaskell’s biography suggests that Bronte may have suffered from depression, which affected her health and productivity.
The biography is interspersed with Charlotte's letters, providing personal insights into her life and thoughts.
Gaskell’s writing received controversy due to the inclusion of living people in her accounts, leading to accusations of libel.
Gaskell portrayed Charlotte's father negatively, showing her personal bias toward him in the biography.
The book highlights the loneliness and hardships Bronte faced throughout her life, including the loss of family members.
This biography is considered a sympathetic tribute to Bronte, aiming more for affection than strict historical accuracy.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental health struggles, loss, familial death, and societal criticism, reflecting the challenges faced by Charlotte Bronte.

From The Publisher:

'Inseparable from the high names of Charlotte and Emily Bronte is the name of Elizabeth Gaskell, who devoted to their service all the cunning and all the patience of her sweet and noble genius.' Lionel Johnson. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (nee Stevenson), 1810 - 65, was born in Chelsea and brought up by her aunt at Knutsford, Cheshire, the original of Cranford and Hollingford. In 1832 she married William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister of Manchester, with whom her life was one of calm and perfect harmony. Her Life of Charlotte Bronte, first published in two volumes in 1857, by its vivid presentation of the sad and indeed tragic story of the Bronte sisters greatly widened the interest in their writings it remains today one of the masterpieces of English biography.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (nee Stevenson; 29 September 1810 - 12 November 1865), often referred to simply as Mrs. Gaskell, was an English novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. She is perhaps best known for her biography of Charlotte BrontA". Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of society, including the very poor, and as such are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature.

 
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