This interesting article about Jane Austen is worth a read! It contextualizes the discourse in Women's Literature.
Here's an excerpt that mentions the Brontë sisters:
"It's all too graceful and lacks guts, says writer Zoe Williams, who prefers those other 19th Century romantic writers - the Brontë sisters."
5 comments:
As usual, I dislike it when they lump Austen and Brontë together and make it seem like it's one or the other, that you can't like both.
Yes, it is indeed rather annoying. They are both worthy novelists in their own rights. They lived in different times too.
I have read both Austen and all three Bronte sisters. I must admit I am in agreement with Zoe Williams remark. I always struggle finding the right words but there is something lacking when I read Austen. Perhaps detachment is one description. On the other hand the Brontes especially Charlotte and Emily are so full of emotion it has a real impact on me. There is always some section in a Bronte book that reels me in whether its how Charlotte describes the wintery scene when Jane goes for her walk to Hay and runs into Rochester for the first time, or in Villette when Lucy's describes that wintery night Miss Marchmont awakens and describes the death of her only beloved, or when Lucy uses the analogy of a room and a tent to contrast his feelings for her and her unrequited for her. It takes a very keen observer to fully understand what Austen is getting at with her wit and subtle dialogue. Although Austen is so full of interesting characters especially how many of the male characters are seen in a pretty negatie light at first but prove themselves in their actions and kindness whether Mr. Darcy or Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility. It is also interesting how the more flambouyant and physically attractive male characters like Wickham and Willoughby turn out to be cads.
Very nice site Miss Mysticgypsy. I must admit I love you avatar and share your interests in things Victorians from one amateur Victorianist to another.
Pardon my horrible spelling. That is what you get for multitasking while at work. :)
Hi Micheal,
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for the comments.
I too enjoy reading the Brontes' works more than Austen's, mostly because of the way the former write about human emotions. There is a lot happening in the inner lives of the Brontes' characters that I haven't been able to discern in Austen's.
Austen seems to have more satisfactory endings and characters, unlike the Brontes. For example, Heathcliff is very different from Willoughby.
On the other hand, I relish a dose of Austen now and then! Her characters are sparkling and witty and amusing. Her works, in my opinion, aren't as 'heavy' as the Brontes' so Austen comes in handy to brighten up otherwise dreary days.
But on the whole, I think Austen is a very different writer from the Brontes, one accustomed to her time, and must be judged accordingly.
It would be interesting to compare the Brontes to Hardy. Now his works aren't to be taken lightly ;)
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