Charlotte Bronte  Born in 1816  Died in 1854

Bronte’s Early Life  Bronte was the third daughter born to an ambitious and intelligent clergyman, Patrick Bronte.  Bronte grew up with modest means.  Bronte’s mother gave birth to six children and died giving birth to the last.  Bronte’s mother figure was her older sister and a servant after her mother’s death.

Father’s Influence  Informal education  Bronte’s father was fond of literature and published some poetry and sermons.  Treated his children as intellectual equals.  Intellectual freedom rarely bestowed on other children.

This School is NOT cool  C.B’s father could not afford formal schooling.  Inexpensive school: Cowen Bridge Clergy Daughter’s School.  School was hostile to physical comfort and ignorant of hygiene.  Sick sisters ignored by the school. Both died shortly after being brought home.

Lowood  C.B had bitter impressions of the school and it’s reflected in Jane Eyre.  C.B transferred to Roe Head School where she was surrounded by women who loved learning. Bronte returned as a teacher and later became a governess.  Achieve or marry!  Marry for money disgusted Bronte.

Bronte’s Romance  Bronte and her sister wanted to open their own school.  Bronte went to school in Brussels to learn French and German.  Bronte feel in love with her teacher (a married man, Constantine Heger).  She lived and taught under his roof.  This experience is present in her fiction: relationships where the spark from intellect leads to physical attraction.

Writing Sisters  Emily Bronte’s poems encourage her sister to write more.  The three sisters published a collection of poems under male pseudonyms, Ellis, Currer, and Action Bell.  Jane Eyre was published in 1847 and sold out quickly.  C.B married a reverend and died of tuberculosis nine months later.