Fachbereich 7

Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft


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The Brontёs


DozentIn: Dr. phil. Anja Höing, M.Ed.

Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar

Ort: 41/215: Fr. 10:00 - 12:00 (14x), 11/213: Freitag, 08.06.2018 15:00 - 19:00

Zeiten: Fr. 10:00 - 12:00 (wöchentlich), Ort: 41/215, Termine am Freitag, 08.06.2018 15:00 - 19:00, Ort: 11/213

Beschreibung: The nineteenth century is often referred to as the Golden Age of the English novel. Among the many Victorian novelists of lasting fame are the three Brontë sisters, Emily, Anne, and Charlotte. Walking a borderline between romance and realism, the writings of the three sisters touch on many of the most central issues of their age, from the industrial revolution to the increasing empowerment of women.
In this seminar, we will read one novel by each Brontë sister, using their writings to trace both the development of the novel as a genre and the cultural contexts of the mid-19th century. Emily Brontë wrote only a single novel, Wuthering Heights (1847), which is famous for its dismal and part-gothic setting and its portrayal of a dysfunctional family whose lives are governed by severe physical and psychological violence. In addition, we will read Anne’s second novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), and Charlotte’s second novel Shirley (1850). While The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, the story of a woman who dares to leave her abusing husband, is often praised as one of the first feminist novels, Charlotte’s Shirley is more conventional in its depiction of female gender roles. Yet, Shirley embeds the domestic problems of the protagonists into the wider framework of the social unrest that accompanied the industrial revolution.
This class requires extensive reading before the term commences. Make sure to have read all three novels before the term starts. Please purchase the Wordsworth Classics editions, as these are the cheapest annotated editions of the novels, and make sure to get the most recent edition (older editions contain neither notes nor an introduction):

- Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights (Wordsworth Classics 1992 edition, Introduction + Notes added 2000)
- Anne Brontë, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Wordsworth Classics 2001 edition)
- Charlotte Brontë, Shirley (Wordsworth Classics 2001 edition)
I asked our local bookshop Zur Heide to have these editions in store for you. At Zur Heide the books are 3,50€ each.

Some additional readings might be assigned for certain sessions and will be made available either on Stud.IP or in the university library. Check Stud-IP on a regular basis to be aware of updates, announcements, and changes.

Students will be required to
• read and discuss three Brontë novels
• participate actively and regularly, in the sessions as well as in preparation work and in the course Wiki
• participate in a "student conference" on June 8, 3 to 7pm (I will announce further details in the first session)
• either conduct an introductory session on one of the novels in a group, or give a 10-minute presentation at the student conference or during one of the sessions
• write a term paper (details on requirements will be announced in the first session)


zur Veranstaltung in Stud.IP