200 Years of the Brontes
If you are a fan of the Brontes, as am I, then you have plenty of opportunity to celebrate over the next four years as Bronte 200 is underway. It is a five year program celebrating the bicentenaries of the births of Charlotte in 2016, Branwell in 2017, Emily in 2019 and Anne in 2020 as well as the bicentennial of Patrick, their father, being invited to become Parson in Haworth, Yorkshire (2019).
Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë are the authors of some of the best loved books in the English language. Charlotte's novel Jane Eyre (1847), Emily's Wuthering Heights (1847), and Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848) were written over 150 years ago and yet still have great appeal today.
Why the ongoing fascination with this literary family? Their isolated upbringing in the Parsonage at Haworth, the closeness of the siblings, the brilliant writing that has endured and the tragedy of their young deaths all contribute to the allure.
And when you have tired of reading and rereading these classics, there is a whole world of prequels, sequels and retellings.
Bronte Prequels, Sequels and Spin-Offs
Biographies
If you want all the details about life in the Parsonage and the road to literary greatness then try reading some of the many biographies.
Film Adaptations
Then there are the adaptations on film – what better activity is there on a winter's day than settling in to watch a period drama set on the windswept moors!
Of course, for Bronte fans the ultimate destination is the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth. However, if you can't travel that far, then perhaps a visit to New York to see the Morgan Library & Museum Exhibit is possible. On view is the famous painting of the sisters by Branwell (he painted himself out), manuscripts, drawings and a petite dress worn by Charlotte who was under 5 feet tall.
Enjoy the next four years of Bronte!
6 thoughts on “200 Years of the Brontes”
Ooh, I didn’t know about the exhibit in New York – thanks for the tip!
Ooh, I didn’t know about the exhibit in New York – thanks for the tip!
Thank you, Fiona, for your wonderful blog about the Brontës! I think Jane Eyre is one of the most inspiring characters in fiction, and I plan to go to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in the future.
Thank you, Fiona, for your wonderful blog about the Brontës! I think Jane Eyre is one of the most inspiring characters in fiction, and I plan to go to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in the future.
One of my favourite trips was making the homage to the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth. A very beautiful town. I love the Brontes. I can connect with them somehow through their books. All of them are timeless and all must be read. Very inspiring and interesting women. Thank you for a nice article.
One of my favourite trips was making the homage to the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth. A very beautiful town. I love the Brontes. I can connect with them somehow through their books. All of them are timeless and all must be read. Very inspiring and interesting women. Thank you for a nice article.