The Brontës' Appeal

Abstract

Abstract As R. L. Stevenson's Edward Hyde experiences new sensations and a new reality to that experienced by Dr Jekyll, so the appeal of the Brontë novels lies in the altered perceptions of their characters. The stereotypes that might be expected of their characters are undermined by the vividness of their feelings and by their refusal to react to their expectations of others. The variety of literary techniques displayed and the striving for honest and authentic self-expression so clearly chronicled, contribute to an enduring appeal to each new generation of readers. This is the text of Dr Campbell's talk to the Brontë Society's Literary Lunch at Skipton in April 1999.