Anne Bronte: brief biography

Ann Bronte is one of three sisters-writers of England, who became a real classic of Victorian literature.

Childhood

Ann's parents came from different classes and had different incomes. Father - Patrick Bronte - was the son of a poor Irish farmer. He did not put up with his position, independently learned to read, write, and then even got a good education. When his children were born, Patrick was already working as vicar of the chapel in Thornton.

Mother - Maria Branwell - was the daughter of a grocer and always lived in prosperity. After the death of her parents, she moved to her aunt in Hartshead to help her with the school. It was there that she met Patrick, and in 1812 they got married.

Ann was the youngest of six children. It was born in January 1820. A year after her birth, the family visited the first tragedy - Maria died of the disease. Her sister Elizabeth came to care for the sick, but after her death she remained to devote herself to nurturing the nephews.

Aunt Elizabeth was very strict and did not dispose of herself, she behaved with the older children aloof, but Anne adored and even allowed her to sleep in her room.

In 1825, two elder sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, died of tuberculosis. This tragedy is very close to the family. All the children moved to home school, which was done by the father and aunt. And their playground for games was heathland, which in the future will find a place in the novels of sisters.

Education

Ann Bronte's homework was to read books. Favorite were the works of Milton, Shakespeare, Virgil, Byron. My aunt tried to teach girls how to run a housekeeping, but she ran into a wall. They preferred to sit behind books.

The organist from the church taught them music. Drawing - Mr. John Bradley, who lived next door.

At the age of fifteen, Ann Bronte went to Road Head School, where her sister, Charlotte, taught. The girl studied there for two years, received a medal for exemplary behavior, but health problems and conflict with local Anglican clergy forced Anne to return to her home.

Work as a governess

Because the family was not wealthy, the girls had to look for money. The educated but poor woman at that time had only one way out - working as a governess.

At the age of nineteen Ann was able to prove herself by becoming governess in the family of Ingam. However, she did not work there for long. Her students were too spoiled and disobedient, and her parents did not want to pay attention to it. Already by Christmas of that year, Ann was at home, fired by the Ingram family.

However, work in the Blake Hall was not in vain. All events and descriptions of the area are reflected in the works of Anne Bronte.

Returning home in Haworth, the girl meets there a young man named William Waitman. He worked in the parish until 1842. According to Charlotte, her younger sister was in love with William. They talked for a long time and discussed literature. However, William did not distinguish the younger Bronte among the rest, with all he communicated in a friendly manner.

Anne Bronte, whose verses at this time reflected her feelings, began to devote more time to creativity. She devoted several of her poetic works to a young man.

In 1840, the girl got a job in the Robinson family, where she worked for five years. She had four children: the oldest Lydia turned fifteen, the youngest Edmund - only eight years. With Robinsons, Ann traveled to Scarborough every year and fell in love with this resort. Since 1843, with her worked brother Branwell, engaged in the education of Edmund.

Miss Bronte left the job because of her brother, who managed to make an affair with Mrs. Robinson. After that, she and her older sister Emily embarked on a trip to England.

Creation

After returning home, Anne gave herself to creativity. Charlotte, who learned that her sisters have some good poems, suggested that they publish a joint poetic collection. So that no one could judge their poetry prejudiced, the girls took for themselves male pseudonyms.

The collection was published in 1846. Poems were greeted with approval by critics.

Parallel, the sisters worked on novels, each on their own. Ann worked on Agnes Gray. They also sent manuscripts to publishers in London.

Novels Anne and Emily accepted Thomas Newby for publication, and Charlotte's "Teacher" was refused. However, the girl was ready for a second book - "Jane Eyre", which eventually printed faster than "Agnes Gray" and "Wuthering Heights". The novels of older sisters were more dramatic and almost completely eclipsed the success of Anne's book.

At that time there were many female novelists who made the main characters of their works governesses. This was also Anne Bronte. "Agnes Gray," which could not be called praise, was one of many unremarkable books.

But the second novel of the younger Bronte was a resounding success. It went on sale in 1848. The first edition was sold in record time.

Of all the sisters' novels, critics have called the work of Anne Bronte the best. "Stranger from Wildfell Hall," the reviews were just ecstatic, compared even with the works of the brilliant Charles Dickens.

Disease and death

In 1848, the Bronte family suffered great losses. The first was Brother Branwell, who died of progressive bronchitis. Next was Emily, who refused to accept any medical help. She died of tuberculosis.

The death of her beloved sister was ruined by Anne's health. After Christmas she went blind with the flu, and the doctor arrived diagnosed the same tuberculosis. A couple of months after the treatment the girl felt better and decided to go to Scarborough, closer to the sea.

She was accompanied by Charlotte. However, the road was very exhausted poor thing. Anne Bronte passed away on May 28, 1849. She was not even thirty.

Value

Ann Bronte, whose books are part of the golden collection of English literature, is an innovator of its kind. She became the first author to create a feminist novel.