26 Oct 2024
On This Day
26 October 2024 Cheryl

26 October 1849: Shirley by Charlotte Brontë is published

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

Before the book Shirley was published, the name Shirley was only a surname. This book led to the name becoming popular as a first name for women. Charlotte Brontë tells the reader it was a tradition in the family to only give this surname as a first name to male children. It is now regarded as a female first name. [1]

Shirley is a novel by Charlotte Brontë, first published on 26 October 1849. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars and the rapid changes of the Industrial Revolution, the story unfolds in the Yorkshire town of Briarmains and revolves around two strong-willed women: Caroline Helstone and Shirley Keeldar, who must navigate the restrictions placed upon them by society while grappling with love, independence, and personal growth.

Charlotte Brontë’s personal life while she was working on Shirley was marked by sorrow. In 1848, her brother Branwell passed away, followed by her sister Emily’s death later that year. Her losses continued in 1849 with the death of her remaining sister, Anne. Despite this personal tragedy, Brontë pressed on with her work, channelling the emotional turbulence into her writing. This grief-infused atmosphere is evident in the novel’s exploration of female resilience amidst personal and social upheaval.

Shirley Keeldar is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t fit into traditional gender roles. With her own wealth and a keen interest in politics, she makes her voice heard in a world dominated by men. But despite her independence, she still feels the pressure to marry. In the end, she chooses Louis Moore, turning down multiple proposals and showing the struggle between what she wants and what society expects.

The novel touches on social reform, the effects of industrialisation, and the tough realities of economic hardship. It critiques the limited roles of women but ends on a hopeful note with a double wedding, symbolising new beginnings and personal happiness.

While Shirley did not receive the same initial acclaim as Brontë’s Jane Eyre, it remains a powerful depiction of female strength and the complexities of 19th-century social order.

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