A preface to the Bronts - Felicia Gordon

This series provides critical introductions to the major figures in English literature and places the writers in the political, social, economic, cultural and intellectual milieu of their age.;The book falls into four parts - a) a biographical section relating the Brontes to the literary legends surrounding them; b) a contextual section, offering an analysis of social, political, artistic, literary and religious influences; c) an analysis of the novels themselves, including passages for close reading and an analysis of Emily's poetry; d) short biographical sketches of major historical figures mentioned in the text and a list of critical background reading, with maps of the Yorkshire region.;Emphasis has been placed on religious themes and metaphores in the texts, the Brontes' relationship to the "condition of woman question", feminist interpretations of the Brontes' novels and on the influence of the visual arts upon their fiction.;The book summarizes the principal critical attitudes taken towards the Brontes in the 19th and 20th centuries and attempts to offer the student the tools to form their own critical perspectives.