Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) was an English novelist and poet, best known for her classic novel “Jane Eyre.” She was the eldest of the three Brontë sisters, whose works have become enduring literary classics.
Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charlotte Nicholls (née Brontë) |
| Common Name | Charlotte Brontë |
| Date of Birth | 21 April 1816 |
| Date of Death | 31 March 1855 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Novelist, Poet |
| Notable Works | Jane Eyre |
| Pseudonym | Currer Bell |
| Education | Roe Head, Mirfield |
| Teaching Career | Governess for Sidgwick family, Teacher at Roe Head |
| Published Works | Jane Eyre (1847), The Professor (rejected) |
| Literary Circles | Celebrated in London literary circles by 1849 |
| Death Cause | Hyperemesis gravidarum |
Early Life
Charlotte Brontë was born on April 21, 1816, in the village of Thornton in Yorkshire, England. She was the third of six children born to Patrick Brontë, an Irish Anglican clergyman, and his wife, Maria Branwell. When Charlotte was just a few years old, the family moved to the parsonage in the remote village of Haworth, where her father had been appointed perpetual curate. The harsh and rugged moorland setting of Haworth would later influence much of Charlotte’s writing. Tragically, her mother died of cancer when Charlotte was only five, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by their strict and pious aunt, Elizabeth Branwell. Despite these early hardships, the Brontë children were exceptionally creative and imaginative, often creating complex imaginary worlds and stories that would lay the groundwork for their future literary endeavors.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Patrick Brontë | An Irish Anglican clergyman and author, Patrick was known for his strict and disciplined nature. He moved to England and became the perpetual curate of Haworth. |
| Mother | Maria Branwell Brontë | Originally from Penzance, Cornwall, Maria married Patrick in 1812. She was known for her intelligence and strong character but tragically passed away in 1821. |
| Sister | Emily Brontë | Best known for her only novel, “Wuthering Heights,” Emily was a deeply private person and shared a close bond with Charlotte. |
| Sister | Anne Brontë | Author of “Agnes Grey” and “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,” Anne was the youngest Brontë sibling and known for her progressive views. |
| Brother | Branwell Brontë | A painter and poet, Branwell had a turbulent life marked by addiction and struggles, which deeply affected his family. |
| Sister | Maria Brontë | The eldest Brontë sibling, Maria had a profound influence on her younger sisters before her untimely death at the age of 11. |
| Sister | Elizabeth Brontë | Elizabeth, the second eldest, also died young, at the age of 10, due to tuberculosis, which significantly impacted the family. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Other Body Measurements | Unknown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Charlotte Brontë was married to Arthur Bell Nicholls. They got married on June 29, 1854. Arthur Bell Nicholls was a curate from her father’s parish who had admired Charlotte for many years before they married.
Details About Arthur Bell Nicholls
Arthur Bell Nicholls was born in 1819 and was an Irish curate. He served as a curate in the parish of Haworth, where he worked with Charlotte’s father, Patrick Brontë. After Charlotte’s death, Nicholls returned to Ireland and remarried.
Charlotte Brontë had a few known romantic interests before her marriage to Arthur Bell Nicholls. Here are the details:
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Constantin Héger | Charlotte Brontë developed a deep attachment to Constantin Héger, a married man, during her time at the pensionnat in Brussels where she studied. Héger was her teacher and mentor. |
| George Smith | George Smith was Charlotte’s publisher and is believed to have held a special place in her heart. Although their relationship did not progress to a romantic level, they shared a close professional bond. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
How She Became Famous
Charlotte Brontë became famous primarily due to her novel “Jane Eyre,” which was published in 1847 under the pen name Currer Bell. The novel was an immediate success and garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative narrative style and complex characters. The success of “Jane Eyre” established her as a significant literary figure of the 19th century.
How The Career Started And Popular Works
Charlotte Brontë’s career began with poetry. Along with her sisters, Emily and Anne, she published a collection titled “Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell” in 1846. Although the collection did not achieve commercial success, it marked the beginning of her literary career. Her most popular works include:
- Jane Eyre (1847) – A groundbreaking novel that combined gothic elements with a strong feminist undercurrent.
- Shirley (1849) – A social novel set during the industrial depression of the 1820s.
- Villette (1853) – A semi-autobiographical novel that explores themes of isolation and unrequited love.
- The Professor (1857) – Published posthumously, this was her first novel but faced initial rejections from publishers.
Awards And Recognitions
During her lifetime, Charlotte Brontë did not receive formal awards as we know them today. However, her work was highly regarded by literary critics and the reading public. “Jane Eyre” in particular received significant praise from notable literary figures of the time, including William Makepeace Thackeray.
Controversies
Charlotte Brontë’s life and career were not without controversy:
- Pen Names: The Brontë sisters initially published their works under male pseudonyms (Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell) to avoid the prejudices against female writers. This led to much speculation and controversy about their true identities.
- Literary Rivalries: There were tensions between Charlotte and Elizabeth Gaskell, who wrote a biography of Charlotte after her death. Some of Gaskell’s portrayals and interpretations of Charlotte’s life were disputed by other members of the Brontë family and their acquaintances.
- Criticism of “Jane Eyre”: While “Jane Eyre” was widely praised, it also faced criticism for its perceived anti-Catholic sentiments and its portrayal of the “madwoman in the attic,” which has been a subject of much feminist critique in later years.
Charlotte Brontë remains an enduring figure in English literature, whose works continue to be studied and admired for their depth, innovation, and emotional power.
Faq
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood and whose novels have become classics of English literature. She is best known for her novel “Jane Eyre,” which has been widely read and adapted into various media.
Charlotte Brontë’s most famous work is “Jane Eyre,” published in 1847. Other notable works include “Shirley” (1849), “Villette” (1853), and “The Professor,” which was published posthumously in 1857.
Common themes in Charlotte Brontë’s novels include social class and gender inequality, the struggle for independence and self-respect, and the emotional and moral development of her characters. Her works often explore the inner lives of women and the challenges they face in a patriarchal society.
Yes, Charlotte Brontë initially wrote under the pseudonym “Currer Bell.” Her sisters, Emily and Anne Brontë, also used pseudonyms (Ellis Bell and Acton Bell, respectively) to publish their works. This was partly to avoid the prejudice against female authors at the time.
“Jane Eyre” is considered a groundbreaking work in English literature due to its innovative narrative style, complex character development, and exploration of themes such as morality, religion, and feminism. The novel’s strong, independent heroine and its critique of social norms have made it an enduring classic.
You can learn more about Charlotte Brontë by visiting literary websites, reading biographies, and exploring the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, England, which is dedicated to the Brontë family. Many of her works are also available in libraries and online for those interested in her literary contributions.
