Anne Bronte: A Study of Her Work and Writing Advice

Anne Bronte grew up in a truly exceptional environment, where not only her but also her sisters, Charlotte and Emily, became famous for their rich novels filled with themes of passion, love, and the human condition.

Although Anne’s works were less famous than those of her sisters, they were unique in the fact that they possessed a more radical perspective on life. In this article we'll look deeper into the life of Anne Bronte, the background behind her literary success, and the tragic ending of this talented writer.

Early Life with the Bronte Sisters

Anne Bronte was the youngest of the Bronte siblings. Born in Thornton, West Yorkshire, England, she was the daughter of Patrick Bronte, an Irish Anglican minister, and Maria Branwell Bronte. Anne's mother died when she was just a baby, and her older sisters, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emily, were instrumental in her upbringing.

The Bronte family faced its share of challenges. Growing up in a parsonage on the Yorkshire moors, the children's imaginations thrived as they were isolated from the larger world. Their vivid collective imagination led to the creation of an imaginary world called Gondal, which they would draw upon in their later literary works.

Anne's father, Patrick Bronte, encouraged his children's intellectual pursuits. He provided them with a diverse range of books and education. The siblings honed their writing skills by creating stories and poems from a young age. Anne and her sisters would go on to become some of the most celebrated authors in English literature.

Literary Success Throughout the Bronte family

The childhoods of imaginative storytelling and endless book reading seemed to have a large impact on all of the sisters within the Bronte family. In this unique setting, not just one, but all three sisters became well known for their works.

Charlotte Bronte, the eldest of the three, authored the celebrated novel Jane Eyre, a groundbreaking work that challenged societal norms and gave voice to a strong, independent female protagonist. Her literary achievements continued with novels like Shirley and Villette, though they did not attain the same level of success as her magnum opus.

Meanwhile, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights is a Gothic masterpiece that delves into themes of love, passion, and the dark recesses of the human psyche. Her writing is noted for its intensity and emotional depth.

While each sister possessed a writing style unique to them, there were common themes visible within their works such as the deeper exploration of the human mind and the questioning into current social norms.

The Start of Anne’s Literary Career

Anne Bronte's literary journey began with her role as a governess. In this role it was her duty to act as both a nanny and an educator to the children she was in charge of. She worked as a governess for several years, and this occupation was very common for young women of her social standing in the 19th century. This experience provided her with a firsthand look into the lives of the upper classes, and it would influence her later works.

In 1846, Anne, along with her sisters Charlotte and Emily, published a collection of poems under pseudonyms. The sisters used the pen names Acton, Currer, and Ellis Bell. Anne's contributions to this collection included poems that showcased her lyrical talents and her gift for introspective, moral verse.

The following year, in 1847, Anne Bronte published her first novel, Agnes Grey. The novel tells the story of a young governess who endures the challenges and mistreatment that often befell women in such positions. It offered a candid look into the hardships faced by governesses during the Victorian era, drawing from Anne's own experiences.

Agnes Grey was followed by Anne's second novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, published in 1848. This novel marked a departure from the romantic conventions of the time. It told the story of Helen Huntingdon, a woman who leaves her alcoholic and abusive husband to protect her son and herself. The novel is a powerful critique of marriage, alcoholism, and the limited options available to women in the 19th century.

The Political Background of Anne Bronte’s Life

The 1840s marked a period of profound transformation and evolving social norms for women in England. During this decade, societal expectations and gender roles were still deeply rooted in Victorian ideals, which were characterized by a strict division of labor, moral standards, and conceptions of femininity.

In the early 1840s, marriage and motherhood were considered the primary purposes of a woman's life. The idea of separate spheres, which dictated that men belonged to the public sphere of work and politics, while women were relegated to the domestic sphere, was dominant. Women were expected to be virtuous, modest, and self-sacrificing, primarily focused on their roles as wives and mothers. This era saw the emergence of the "angel in the house" concept, idealizing women who were submissive, nurturing, and dedicated to the well-being of their families.

Education for women was limited, and access to higher education and professional opportunities was rare. The prevailing belief was that excessive education could be harmful to a woman's moral and physical well-being, and that women were better suited for domestic roles. However, pioneering women's rights advocates were starting to become apparent during this time and sought to reform women's schooling and assert the importance of education for women.

It was during this time period that discussions about women's suffrage and access to education were gaining momentum. With this the Bronte sisters, including Anne Bronte, played a pioneering role in working towards challenging the current social attitudes through their works.

It was because of these beginning shifts that the foundation was able to be built for later feminist movements such as women’s suffrage and greater educational and career freedom.

The Tragic Deaths Within the Bronte Family

Families growing up in 19th century England were faced with various health difficulties we no longer worry about today. At the time, the average life expectancy was only around 40 years old. Because of the poor sanitation conditions within the Bronte family’s neighborhood, all three of the Bronte sisters passed away before they even reached the age of 40. Anne and Emily just barely reached 30, passing away at ages 29 and 30, respectively.

Anne’s cause of death was tuberculosis, a disease that three of her sisters would succumb to as well as her brother, Branwell. In the years following the passing of Anne Bronte and her other siblings, her sister Charlotte continued to honor their memory and protect their works. She edited and published posthumous editions of her sisters' novels, including Anne’s, and, in doing so, ensured that their literary contributions could live on to be read today.

Anne Bronte's Works: A Closer Look

To be able to fully appreciate the power of Anne Bronte's literary prowess, let's take a closer look at some of her most significant works and explore the themes and messages she conveyed through her writing.

Agnes Grey is Anne Bronte's debut novel, and it is a semi-autobiographical work that draws heavily from her own experiences as a governess. The novel tells the story of Agnes Grey, a young woman who, out of a sense of duty and to support her family, becomes a governess to unruly and spoiled children of the wealthy. Through Agnes's eyes, readers are exposed to the mistreatment and cruelty she endures at the hands of her employers, as well as the moral decay that afflicts her charges.

The novel is a poignant exploration of the hardships faced by governesses during the Victorian era, emphasizing their vulnerability and powerlessness in the households where they worked. Anne Bronte used Agnes Grey as a voice to shed light on the injustices and inequalities of the time. Her empathetic portrayal of Agnes and her struggles make the character a symbol of resilience and moral integrity.

This novel offers valuable lessons for aspiring writers and creators. One of the key takeaways we receive from this novel is the power of drawing from personal experiences and real-life injustices. Anne Bronte's ability to use her own life as inspiration and weave it into her storytelling added a sense of depth and authenticity that would be hard to imitate without personal experience. This should act as a reminder that our own experiences, no matter how seemingly ordinary, can be a great source of inspiration for creating emotionally resonant narratives.

Furthermore, this novel highlights the power good writing holds to give a voice to the marginalized and shed light on societal issues. Anne Bronte used her novel to raise awareness about the mistreatment and vulnerability of governesses during the Victorian era, addressing a topic that was often ignored or overlooked. It is within these uncomfortable topics that we have the power to tap into a deeper side of the human psyche. Our works have the power to question social norms and provide new perspectives, and it’s with these perspectives that we can reach a lot deeper than if we just scratched the surface. Although it may be intimidating to write about radical topics, it can also be the most rewarding as it provides a new outlet for conversations that are often left unheard.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is an additional work in which Anne takes a bold step away from the romantic conventions of her time. The novel tells the story of Helen Huntingdon, who marries Arthur Huntingdon, a charismatic but dissolute man. As Helen's marriage descends into a nightmarish cycle of alcoholism, emotional abuse, and moral degradation, she decides to take a radical step to protect her young son and herself. She leaves her husband, conceals her identity, and assumes a new life under the pseudonym of Mrs. Graham.

Anne's exploration of marriage, alcoholism, and the treatment of women within it was groundbreaking for her time. The novel provides a searing critique of the limitations placed on women in the 19th century and exposes the harsh realities of abusive marriages. Helen's decision to break free from her oppressive marriage is portrayed as an act of moral courage and self-preservation. Some even regard it as one of the first feminist novels to ever be published, revering in the decisions Huntingdon made that were highly contrary to the standard social sentiment.

Anne Bronte's poetry, while often overshadowed by her novels, is equally remarkable. She addressed various themes in her poetry, including the beauty of nature, moral reflections, and the passage of time. It’s within these verses that we can see deeper into the mind of the youngest sister as she explores questions of ethics, spirituality, and the complexities of life itself.

Lessons We Can Learn

Anne's strong moral dimension in her writing reminds us of the impact of characters who grapple with questions of ethics and personal integrity. This moral clarity can serve as a guide for writers seeking to infuse their works with depth and meaning.

Having a strong moral dimension ensures that the themes and messages in one's writing are grounded deeply in ethics and human values. It will help you as a writer to create characters and narratives that resonate with readers on a much more emotional level. Writing with a sense of morality will overall foster a larger sense of empathy and understanding within your own works.

Additionally, personal integrity plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency and authenticity in a writer's voice and style. It acts as a guide for writers to remain true to themselves, to their beliefs, and to their unique perspective. And this authenticity, in turn, will be what gives you your own unique style of writing and help you to speak in a voice truer to yourself. When readers are able to read your works and feel this sense of authenticity, they’ll be much more likely to become a fan of your work.

We can also take lessons from Anne's straightforward and realistic writing style. Reading through any of her works will provide us with a clear demonstration of the beauty that having authentic and relatable characters can add to a story. And it's with this authenticity that she is able to depict a harsh reality that not many authors were able to fully express during this time period.

A Brief Yet Highly Impactful Life

Anne Bronte's name may not be as frequently mentioned as those of her sisters, but her contributions are undeniable. Anne Bronte's life was brief, but her impact on literature endures. Her willingness to challenge the norms of her time and explore important social and moral issues make her an unsung heroine of English literature. As we continue to revisit her works, we find valuable lessons and enduring themes that resonate with readers of all generations.