Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
I was thinking about this and realized it was another theme Anne shared with her sisters. Especially with Wuthering Heights, and it seems obvious that Wildfell Hall has most in common with that book. Heathcliff physically abused Isabella Linton, who did end up leaving him with their son. As for Jane Eyre, it's not as direct, but I can read abuse into Rochester's treatment of Bertha, keeping her locked in the attic in the care of a drunken woman (notably the woman is the drunkard here).
|
I found this interesting essay in the Guardian that contrasts that treatment of male characters by the sisters. I do think they were influenced in different ways by their brother's alcohol and opium abuse. Anne especially was sensitive to the topic because he lived with the same family that she was a governess, and he created a scandal by having an affair with the mother of the family. She more directly saw and was affected by his behavior, and she also spent more time nursing him. I think that it is a plausible explanation for why she chose to be so realistic in her novel.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/bo...harlotte-emily
And, here is some background on Branwell.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/l...-a7940396.html