KS5

An informal, lively talk which examines the historical, social and cultural context of either 'Jane Eyre' or 'Wuthering Heights'.

The Brontës grew up in a time of great change and their own social position was ambivalent. We look at how their early experiences shaped their writing, asking:

• What were their most important cultural influences and to what degree was their writing autobiographical? 
• How did the Brontës engage with the restrictive role of women at this time and what problems did women face in getting published?
• How did the effects of expanding colonialism, and their father’s own anti-slavery stance, impact the Brontës' writing?

There's a separate talk for each novel. The talks are illustrated and we encourage questions and discussion. 

…burn Wuthering Heights!

'Wuthering Heights' is a revered classic of English literature today, but many early critics responded with bemusement, even revulsion. In this workshop, we explore why readers were so shocked by the novel, and how and why responses changed. We ask:

• What have critics argued about Heathcliff’s mysterious origins and ‘otherness’ - is Emily commenting on issues of race and colonialism? 
• What is Emily saying about the social disruption of her times, and how is Catherine Earnshaw’s fate tied to the legal position of women with its social limitations?

This presentation builds on the themes and issues introduced in the context talk. It includes structured opportunities for discussion and we encourage students to share their own thoughts about the meaning of this enigmatic novel.

From its publication in 1847 up to the present day, 'Jane Eyre' has been an incredibly popular and widely discussed novel - but it's often been controversial too. This talk examines the fluctuating responses to Charlotte's great novel through different critical perspectives. We ask:

• Why is 'Jane Eyre' still seen as radical by some, but conservative by others? 
• In what way is the figure of Bertha Mason considered problematic?
• Can we call 'Jane Eyre' a feminist novel? 

This presentation builds on the themes and issues introduced in the context talk. It includes structured opportunities for discussion and we encourage students to share their own thoughts on this groundbreaking novel. 

The village of Haworth, particularly around the Parsonage, still preserves many features and buildings the Brontës would recognise.

This short walk explores the local area, giving insight into life in Haworth in the Brontës' time and how this might have impacted their writing. We absorb the atmosphere but also look at the physical evidence left to us, asking: 

• What changes were brought about by industrialisation?
• What does the churchyard on the Brontës' doorstep reveal about life and death in Haworth? 
• How does Main Street, so quaint and popular with tourists today, relate to the bustling, squalid byway of the 1840s? 

This route encompasses the shorter village walk, but also takes the path up to Penistone Hill, just ten minutes from the Parsonage. 

The moors offer an exhilarating sense of space and freedom, with wonderful views including the distant ruin of Top Withins, once thought to be the model for Wuthering Heights. It's alive with the sights and sounds of nature that the Brontës knew, including Emily’s beloved heather and the ever-present roaring of the wind. 

There's a moorland setting in every Brontë novel. This walk gives a vivid insight into why it was such an inspirational force in their lives.