Throughout time almost always immensely popular, the novels of the Brontë sisters have also proved to be of significant critical importance for the history of English literature and were re-discovered by second-wave academic feminist literary criticism in the 20th century. The variety of their plots, characters, themes and tropes cannot be overstated and their insight into the human condition of the 19th century does not fail to astonish even today. While these writers are often considered to be of most profound import for the tradition of the romantic novel, their social criticism, their interest in the forces of industrialisation and their astute feminism are equally vital for the British novel tradition. We will take a close look at the entirety of their oeuvre and consider all novels by Anne, Charlotte and Emily Brontë from both theoretical and historical angles.
Please note that I will include an in-depth analysis of Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights (2026) on Nov 24 to discuss at length whether or not this film is truly an adaptation of the novel and – if so – with what effect on our understanding of the original novel.

Kurs im HIS-LSF