Holy Ghosts: The Male Muses of Emily and Charlotte Bronte - Softcover

Tayler, Irene

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231071558 ISBN 13: 9780231071550

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 1993

Synopsis

Writing from a feminist perspective, the author of this study describes how Charlotte and Emily Bronte transformed the meaning of the muse that inspired the Romantic poets by transforming its gender. She describes how the Bronte sisters appropriated the male muse in differing ways.

About this title

About the Author:

From Library Journal:

Tayler argues that the "Holy Ghosts," male muses who influenced the writing of Charlotte and Emily Bronte, are central in explaining the remarkably different philosophies of the two women. With these muses providing spiritual support by serving as both guide and antagonist, each woman developed a particular mythology to account for being female while doing men's work. The struggle between the traditionally feminine mode of "being" and masculine mode of "doing" is well illustrated, as are the sisters' divergent attitudes and personalities. This work includes a brief family history and an in-depth analysis of each woman's major works. While much information is not new, Tayler's thesis gives a new perspective on the lives of the Bronte sisters. Recommended for academic libraries.
-Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Connecticut at Torrington Lib.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0231071558
• ISBN 13: 9780231071550
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 342