The Life of Charlotte Brontë

by Elizabeth Gaskell, Angus Easson (Editor)

Overview

'It is in every way worthy of what one great woman should have written of another.' Patrick Brontë Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Brontë (1857) is a pioneering biography of one great Victorian woman novelist by another. Gaskell was a friend of Charlotte Brontë, and, having been invited to write the offical life, determined both to tell the truth and to honour her friend. She contacted those who had known Charlotte and travelled extensively in England and Belgium to gather material. She wrote from a vivid accumulation of letters, interviews, and observation, establishing the details of Charlotte's life and recreating her background. Through an often difficult and demanding process, Gaskell created a vital sense of a life hidden from the world. This edition is based on the Third Edition of 1857, revised by Gaskell. It has been collated with the manuscript, and the previous two editions, as well as with Charlotte Bront¨'e's letters, and thus offers fuller information about the process of composition than any previous edition. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780191504594
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	06/25/2009
Series:	Oxford World's Classics Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

ELIZABETH GASKELL was born in London in 1810. She married a minister, and her literary output was substantial and completely professional. Many of her works are available in Penguin Classics, including NORTH AND SOUTH, SYLVIA'S LOVERS, and WIVES AND DAUGHTERS. She died suddenly in 1865. ELISABETH JAY has taught and lectured at various universities in Great Britain and the USA, and is currently Head of Westminster College, Oxford. Her books include FAITH AND DOUBT IN VICTORIAN BRITAIN.

Table of Contents

1. Mr. Brontë afflicted with blindness, and relieved by a successful operation for cataract; 2. State of Charlotte Brontë's health at the commencement of 1847; 3. The 'Quarterly Review' on 'Jane Eyre'; 4. Commencement and completion of 'Shirley'; 5. 'Currer Bell' indentified as Miss Brontë at Haworth and the vicinity; 6. An unhealthy spring at Haworth; 7. Visit to Sir J. and Lady Kay Shuttleworth; 8. Intended republication of 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Agnes Grey'; 9. Miss Brontë's visit to Miss Martineau, and estimate of her hostess; 10. Remarks on friendship; 11. Miss Brontë visits Scarborough; 12. The biographer's difficulty; 13. Letters to Mrs. Gaskell on writing fiction, &c.; 14. Mourners at the funeral.