how in the world did charlotte bronte know?

Posted by greg on October 12, 1997 at 01:16:02:

something that has amazed readers of jane eyre over the generations, and fascinates me, is how bronte was able to describe one of the most passionate love affairs in fiction, when she apparently was so inexperienced herself. she's the daughter of a country clergyman, poor and plain like jane eyre, and married an apparently pedestrian man late in life(after writing the novel). she had experiences of her own similar to lowood school, but how did she come to describe her abuse at the hands of john reed so compellingly? seems to me one can't get those experiences from a book. does anyone know or have any ideas? i'm reviewing elizabeth gaskell's "life of charlotte bronte", but haven't come upon any good explanations for this yet.

REPLIES:

• with no intention of comparing myself to CB- Kathleen T 14:04:53 10/14/97 (4)
  • as you say... greg 23:27:15 10/15/97 (3)
    • let me put it this way Kathleen T 12:45:18 10/16/97 (2)
      • Great Poem!! Shannon 17:12:28 10/18/97 (1)
        • be my guest Kathleen T 10:00:43 10/20/97 (0)
• How did Charlotte know? Pam B 20:57:12 10/12/97 (0)
• but she had been in love Kate 20:54:06 10/12/97 (1)
  • voila! i'd forgotten about brussels... greg 23:36:12 10/12/97 (0)
• My best guess Rachel 10:40:20 10/12/97 (6)
  • Charlotte Brontė's (in)experience -- in her own words. The Mysterious H.C. 14:16:24 10/12/97 (1)
    • Delightful Amy 14:32:51 10/12/97 (0)
  • a pretty good imagination! greg 12:32:59 10/12/97 (3)
    • But the sexiest thing about their passion... Amy 13:17:09 10/12/97 (2)
      • I agree. Luisa 18:02:41 10/13/97 (0)
      • Extrapolate and Idealise Cassia 14:25:34 10/12/97 (0)

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