Synopses & Reviews
Charlotte Brontë's novels have retained a strong appeal for readers from her own time to the present day. Her rich and subtle writing rewards careful study, revealing a fine balance of comedy, romance, and passion, and touching on contemporary social realities. In this guide, detailed analysis of extracts shows how common-sense approaches can be used to reach into the different layers of meaning in her writing. The author uses
Jane Eyre, Shirley, and
Villette to explore creatively the unique blend of realism and fantasy underlying the psychological power of the novels of Charlotte Brontë.
About the Author
Mike Edwards has wide experience in the teaching of English, most recently as Head of Humanities at Crosskeys College, and is now retired.
Table of Contents
Narrators * Characterization * Setting * Dramatization * Popery, Protestantism, and Other Persuasions * Old Maids and Womenites * Conclusions * Charlotte Brontë's Life and Works * The Context of Charlotte Brontë's Work * Three Critical Approaches * Further Reading