The Brontës and the Gothic Tradition - A Victober Special

[@gaynorbrook837]

Happy Victober Kate. You bring so much joy and enthusiasm, which washes away any troubles-Awash with tea too!😁👍💚

[@brontesistersuk]

Hello and thank you, I'm glad my video (and a good brew) helped. Happy Victober to you too.

[@kathrynreinitz6619]

Just finished The Vanashing Bride a couple of weeks ago and just today The Oxford Companion of the Brontes. I read anything I can get my hands on. Oh and Happy Victober Kate.

[@brontesistersuk]

Happy Victober. There are so many good books about the Brontes and I admit, I still have so many to go. My pile is forever growing but my time to read seems to be reducing, doesn't feel fair. Did you like the Vanishing Bride? Will you read the next ones?

[@bluumz-n-veg]

Thanks for all the great Bronte content!

[@brontesistersuk]

Thank you so much. I am so grateful. xx

[@barbaratarbell606]

I love the dramatic, powerful black & white illustrations from the three Bronte novels you discussed. Brilliant, dynamic artwork. Thank you for showing them. I'm curious the name of the artist created them and when. ❤

[@brontesistersuk]

The image of Heathcliff against the tree was the cover image of the 1943 edition of Wuthering Heights published by Random House. The illustrator was Fritz Eichenberg. He also did a lot of the other illustrations too. They are great aren't they.

[@stephen5548]

I’m starting to think you really like the Brontë sisters. Keep ‘em coming. My favourite novel (of all time) is Jane Eyre. Emily’s ‘The Old Stoic’ is my favourite poem of all time.

[@brontesistersuk]

I have plenty of video plans and ideas so hope to bring you more Bronte videos for a long time yet. Jane Eyre is perfect for Victober.

[@amandalavelle2638]

How have I only just found you? I’ve been taking part in Victober since it’s beginning so I’m surprised you’ve not popped up in my feed before now. Looks like I’ve got a few videos to binge now 😊 xx

[@brontesistersuk]

Hello. I am quite new to KZbin, I only started at Easter so this is my first (and no way my last) Victober session. Thank you for joining me and I am so pleased you enjoyed my video. I hope you manage to watch a few more.

[@brontesaurusrex7235]

Hey tea is amazing, no need for embarrassment! I'm not reading a Bronte novel at the moment, but it's a book that definitely shows the author read the Brontes at some point--Cloud & Ashes by Greer Gilman. Picture the myth of Demeter and Persephone if it were set in Yorkshire

[@brontesistersuk]

Good book recommendation there, will look that up. Thank you. I need to do that "I love my tea and I'm proud" speech. :-)

[@CurtRowlett]

As a young reader, Gothic literature was my first love, and I only discovered the Brontës later in life. That turned out to be a good thing, as my older self could better appreciate the brilliance of their works. And yes, absolutely, Byron is a HUGE influence on Gothic literature (the Byronic hero trope), but I have always had mixed feelings about Byron and the negative aspects of his character. But, like many others, yes, he was a product of his time, and there is no denying his brilliance. Great discussion here, as always, Thank you, Ms. Kate. P.S. Your shy, quiet charm is part of the reason why we love your channel.

[@brontesistersuk]

Hi and thanks. Your last sentence has made me feel amazing, thank you. I have really had to pull my socks up and put the nerves to one side to do these videos and I am so pleased my "way" isn't putting people off. Bryon is a hard one to analyse, he was so complex but we know the sisters and Branwell would have read everything he did and his private life (not so private) was just as dramatic too. Thanks Curt again for your support.

[@prairierose1115]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@brontesistersuk]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad you found it interesting.

[@dieterdelange9488]

I first read _Jane Eyre_ in December 2009, aged 17. It was at around 11 one night when I read Chapter 15 (where Bertha comes down and sets Rochester's bed on fire). I literally got chills (especially with the sentence starting "This was a demoniac laugh..."). 😮

[@brontesistersuk]

Yes, that is it isn't it, that first hint that this is going to end badly. At the time the book came out people were so scared of house fires what with candles and open fires so this must have been even more scary. Thank you for watching.

[@dieterdelange9488]

​​@@brontesistersuk It's the reason why Mr Brontë lived most of his life without curtains in the Parsonage.

[@brontesistersuk]

@@dieterdelange9488 and I can understand why. He must have seen so many deaths from fire in his time.

[@sirikverndokk3564]

Hello, Kate , I love your podcast series about the Brontë-sisters, both very interesting - and amusing! 👌🤗✏📖⚘🍁 I really love and appriciate their novels - AND poems - and I've studied Emily's poems a little more.. I've actually made a little project about it. ! ;) I've read and listened to "Jane Eyre" several times - and I've come to love 'Wuthering Heights' as well - and "The Tensnt..." I think it diffucult to decide which one of the stories has the most gothic manly figure - as these characters all fulfil the gothic idea of "hero" in their own way. We can understand them in different psychological terms, (even if I can't stand Huntington at all.!!) I'm going to Yorkshire now in few days - and I end up in Haworth - (as usual!) Love this place... ❤ So I'll take with me "Shirley" even if I have to be more parient with this novel.. It's a very interesting story because of the social-politic topics, and the beautiful description of Caroline's mind and difficult situation...( And the narrow- minded attitude against women's lives at thst time..) I liked Villette even better, perhaps - AND rhere are gothic elements there as well - also in the manly hero.. Well - this was too much talk, perhaps , but I'm grateful anyway to be here... Thank you, Kate! I get very much inspired! Have a nice brew! ( And a midnight- cup too!) 🫖🌙🌟🍂🍁 Siri ( from Norway.) :)

[@brontesistersuk]

Hello and thank you. I hope, as you read this, you are in Haworth having a brew in one of their cozy cafes. You have chosen the best time to go, I love the cooler months in Haworth. I agree about Huntington, he is not a likeable character at all and no matter how many times I read it I can't see any good qualities in him. On my reread list is Shirley, it's been a long time. Have a great time in the UK and thank you for watching and supporting me and my channel.

[@sirikverndokk3564]

Thank you, Kate! 💐🍁🌿 I'm in Msnchester just now - and tomorrow I'm going to Leeds for some days ( Open Day at the University!) After rediscovering Leeds ( I was there 38 years ago -) I'll take the trsin to. beautiful Haworth! 💗 Unfortunately, I had to leave 'Shirley' at home- it's on my re-read- list too :) 📖🍁 But Charlotte's letters are very interesting as well! Best wishes from a very sleepy reader at the Britannia Hotel. And I've had my evening brew - 🍵🍯🌙🦉🎶.. Siri.

[@brontesistersuk]

@@sirikverndokk3564 that's a full-on trip. I visited part of the Leeds Uni (the library) last year and had a lovely time. Hope you do too. Have a great time in Haworth.

[@knitty781]

My sister had a print of Margery. I am currently reading a re-imagining of Jane Eyre called Salt and Broom. I enjoy seeing the story from a different angle. And I started Wuthering Heights because I love a good chunky book.

[@brontesistersuk]

Perfect time of year to read Wuthering Heights. I will look into Salt and Broom, haven't heard of that one. Thanks for this tip and for watching.

[@BrontëChick]

Let me start by saying I absolutely love classic haunted house/ghost movies....not the demon possessed gore movies made today. And let me say there has never been any better haunted house/ghost movies ever made than those made in England. No one can top a British ghost story. Two of my all time favorites are The Innocents with Deborah Kerr and the 1963 The Haunting with Julie Harris. In both of those the scariest thing about them is what you don't see.... it's the sound, the scenario, the atmosphere, the suggestion that is so Gothically scary. Charlotte and Emily both captured the Gothic feel in their masterpieces by presenting the reader with the scenario, the atmosphere, the suggestion. Thornfield Hall...dark, brooding, shadows...whispers, glimpses and laughter in the night. Wuthering Heights...dark, brooding, depression, cruelty, darkened wind swept moors and Cathy's ghost at the window begging to be let in. All took place in the readers mind. I would imagine that when the novels were first read by many, they pulled the covers up around them a little tighter. The three Brontë sisters were absolute geniuses.

[@brontesistersuk]

The power of the readers imagination. Sometimes it hearing the noise in the night that is scary not the thing that made the noise and this is true in the Brontes' books. British are so good at gothic and haunted houses I agree. Thanks as always for you support. x

[@grahamhumphreys3086]

My favourite gothic novel is.dorian Gray...wonderful book...Jane Eyre is my favourite Bronte book..and film..your break down of jane, is spot on..not read,any ann Bronte, to my shame.has always. appreciate the video's you make,and time you take over them...😊

[@brontesistersuk]

I love Dorian Grey, such a great story and the idea is brilliant. You must try Anne's Wildfell Hall, I really enjoyed it. Some of the subjects are hard (emotional) but it's a great read. Thank you for watching and your kind words.

[@butterflygirlenergy]

I loved this video! 🥰Perfect cosy content for Victober Halloween time! 🎃👻I absolutely paused the video, put the kettle on and made a brew! This will be my Friday morning treat, watching your lovely videos with a brew! Cheers! ☕And thank you for the belly laugh about Blankety Blank and the long microphones they used 😂 I loved that show! My fav gothic novel is Jane Eyre because of Thornfield Hall and what a twist when you find out about Bertha! Although the Cathy scene at the window in Wuthering heights is jawdropping to read!👻 Happy Friday and thank you for your fascinating and wonderful videos! 🙏❤️

[@brontesistersuk]

Blanket Blank was always on TV as a kid and this image of Terry with his long microphone came out nowhere. So pleased you had a brew with me, that made me smile. The red room in Jane Eyre is a teaser to what is coming but bumps from the attic before we know about Bertha sends shivers down my spine.

[@donnairizarry2654]

Happy Victober, Kate! From New York

[@brontesistersuk]

Happy Victober to you in New York. You guys are the Kings and Queens of Halloween, I take my hat off to you. Thank you for watching.

[@mthespinner]

In one of my favorite Johnson quotes, Dr. Johnson describes himself as "a hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning." Sounds like goals to me. As I get older, I sometimes wonder if Branwell's character did not somehow inform Heathcliffe, Rochester, and Huntingdon. The wildness, willfulness, and addiction seem to echo somehow.

[@brontesistersuk]

That quote is me. Brilliant. I am sure there are traces of Branwell in all the men in the Brontes work, the sisters only had a few men close to the family to watch and observe so I think you are right. That obsessive nature in Branwell can be seen in Heathcliff, Rochester and especially Huntingdon.

[@my-mysknitsaloon]

Wowsy, this was so fantastic and intresting. I believe Heathcliff's character descripes a narcissist/psychopath. Imagine The Brontë Sister's sitting around a table with the swedish Victorian / Edwardian author Hjalmar Söderberg talking about his Doctor Glas and with Isaac B Singer too, and so on. 🪄🔮💌 Heartly thanks from a crispy evening in Northern Sweden.👻

[@brontesistersuk]

That would be the perfect dinner party mix wouldn't it, you could sit back and listen for hours. Is it cold with you, do you celebrate Halloween much in Sweden?

[@my-mysknitsaloon]

@@brontesistersuk Halloween celebration here in Sweden is kind of a mix of yey and ney. In my family we celebrate.My young adult kids are enjoying going to Hallowen Masquerade Nightclub events. Alice In Wonderland and Calle The Chocolate Fabric outfits theme this year, lol. Thanks for asking, Kate. Lovely.💝

[@brontesistersuk]

@@my-mysknitsaloon bit like here, not everyone is in to Halloween but there are plenty of events going on.

[@isabellemenez5704]

This Victober, I read Oliver Twisst for the first time, am reading Trollope's Framley parsonage and then I'll see - I have some more books on my TBR shelf. I'm not currently reading a Brontë book, because... I've already read them all - except Emma by Charlotte. Of course, I'll re-read them again sometime. I have a Brontë shrine at home. Wuthering heights embodies Gothic themes more to me ?... I've never read Byron so far !

[@brontesistersuk]

I forgot about Dickens work, I read Little Dorrit again recently and enjoyed it. I think most people that follow my videos has a Bronte corner with many copies of the same book, in this community we are the normal ones I promise.

[@lindawalker2451]

Love this video. I have just discovered your channel and I have subscribed. I love the Brontes. My favorite is Wuthering Heights and I have reread it many times. I hsve just finished reading Agnes Grey, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Villette. These fit in perfectly for Victober. I am going to try to reread Wuthering Heights again but do not know if I will get tl it in October. To round off the month I also have The Picture of Dorian Grey, Dombey and Sons and The Doctors Wife on my TBR list. And this year I discovered the poetry of Emily Bronte and read from my newly acquired Everyman Pocket Poets edition of her poems each day.

[@brontesistersuk]

Welcome and thank you for joining me and my community. Dorian Grey is a must, perfect bit of Gothic and Victorian story telling. I love it. I reread books a lot, I find it helps me taking in more each time. You have quite a list to get through, am jealous.

[@Grainne007]

I LOVE your channel, Kate! ❤ I chuckled so hard out loud at the music insert. 😂 I'm planning on ordering an Anne necklace for my birthday soon. Blessings to you from the US! ❤✨️

[@brontesistersuk]

Thank you for watching, I'm so glad you enjoyed that Christmas snippet. I have the Anne Necklace in stock at the moment so when you are ready, pop the order through, more than happy to get it out to you. X

[@jamiedianne6778]

Happy Victober, Kate! 🎉 🍂So far for Victober I’m continuing to read Shirley by Charlotte Bronte, Anne’s poetry, The letters of Mrs. Gaskell (which I’ve been reading for over a year because it’s an actual door stop of a book 😂)and The Romance of a Shop by Amy Levy. 🍂 I think Wuthering Heights feels like the most gothic of the Bronte novels. 🍂You need your own Bronte brand of tea!

[@brontesistersuk]

Oh my word, my own tea. I can only imagine all the testing I would have to do to make sure it is spot on, dream job. Wuthering Heights does feel more gothic, I agree. Very brave to be reading Gaskell's brick of a book, I assume you dip in and out. I've never read The Romance of a Shop but it set off a memory and I googled it. I remember being recommend it before and thinking this is my sort of book and have now popped it on my TBR list. Thank you.

[@KenCollingwood-ul7ox]

I wonder if Thornfield Hall was based on Thornton Hall in Thornton, just behind the old Bell Chappel. I'm from and live in Thornton myself. Really liking your channel. Thanks

[@brontesistersuk]

Thank you for watching. I want to go back to Thorton and have a good look around. The weather turned and I got soaked so called it a day but I feel there is so much more to explore. I will go and check out Thornton Hall, I feel an adventure coming on.

[@mariemcbride3918]

Hi just found your channel, lived at haworth all my life, so know a lot about the brontes so happy found your channel, ❤❤❤❤

[@brontesistersuk]

Welcome and thank you so much for joining me. I hope you enjoy the videos and please feel free to suggest any videos you think I should make. Are you still in Haworth now?

[@mariemcbride3918]

@@brontesistersuk next village now ,but close lol 😆

[@mariemcbride3918]

@brontesistersuk suggestion I know you post on the bronte sisters but a video on branwell would be good he had such a tragic life , very eventful and Iam sure his distructive behaviour and down fall had a big impact on the sisters xxx

[@brontesistersuk]

@@mariemcbride3918 totally agree. I did start one and ended up shelving it because I go upset and had a cry. Not the look I was after but maybe I need to pull my socks up and do it again. Thanks for the feedback. Really good to hear what people want.

[@brontesistersuk]

@@mariemcbride3918 thats brilliant, you can pop in and soak up the vibe but then remove yourself from the tourists when it's too much. Best mix.

[@stephaniec3619]

Hello Kate, I’m still reading the book about Anne Bronte. I think the most this novel of the Brontes is Wuthering Heights. On a completely different tangent in regards to gothic novels. Jane Austin wrote Northhanger Abbey as a response to the gothic novel that was in its beginning stages. The version that I read had an Anne Radcliffe novel first and then Nothhanger Abbey second so that you could get an idea of what it was that Austin was trying to parody. I have a question for you: do you think Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein could have influenced the Brontes? She was a woman writer who published a very famous gothic novel. I love your videos and look forward to them every week. Sorry to have gone off today. I always love that you have tea, it makes me go and grab a cup myself. Do you have a favourite brand you drink at home?

[@brontesistersuk]

Hello. I think the Brontes would have ready Mary Shelley's work, I could imagine it was right up their street. We are all a product of our experiences (and books) so I think Mary Shelley and her books would have stayed in their minds, yes. I can't function without tea and the kettle is always on in my house. Love tea in a pot too, doesn't taste the same if you make it in a mug and just dunk the bag. I am a Yorkshire Tea girl, can't stand weak tea and the other brands taste like sweepings off the floor compared to Yorkshire Tea. Thanks for coming along with me and I'm proud that I my video inspired you to make a brew. XX

[@PamelaGallardo-v3q]

I am reading Villette by Charlotte Brontë

[@brontesistersuk]

Do let me know what you think. Happy Victober.

[@katiemiller7428]

I am working my way through Victorian writer George MacDonald’s novels! Have you read any of his work? One of his novels (maybe my favorite) is called Donal Grant (or the shepherds castle) and I think he HAD to have been inspired by Jane Eyre for that one. He has wonderful fairy tales and sermons and his fiction is kind of like hopeful, happy, Anne of Green Gable-y good people meet Victorian Scotland. Sometimes the characters can be a bit too good…but I love it, I have a feeling that maybe Anne Brontë would have too maybe more than her more moody and brooding sisters haha

[@brontesistersuk]

I will have to look up George MacDonald, love hearing what people are reading. Agree that sometimes over-good characters can grate me but if it makes a good story, I can get over that. Thank you. I think Anne had more struggles with her religion and trying to be the best Christian but, inside she felt she wasn't, that must have affected her.

[@yorkshirepudding9860]

I was just about to ask who the Tudor lady was.

[@brontesistersuk]

Good old (and very old) Marjorie. I felt she needed her moment as she is always about.

[@belindaguerette4249]

I love Jane Eyre! But, I just can’t like Wuthering Heights. There is nobody in there, other than Nellie, that I want to succeed like I do with Jane. I just listened to the BBC Radio Dramas of Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Perfect Victober gothic reads. Are there other good Bronte gothic stories?

[@brontesistersuk]

I struggled with Withering Heights growing up, I couldn't understand why everyone hated everyone else and why everyone was so mean. I can see it better now and how it shows the struggles of families and relationships but I do understand why it doesn't gel with some people. The 3 in the video are the main gothic ones by the Brontes to be honest. Agnes Grey by Anne looks at life as a Governess and you get to meet some horrid children so you could say they are monsters!!! Love an Audio book.

[@PhilipMurphy8]

Interesting video but the Christmas Music for a few seconds gave me a awww no

[@brontesistersuk]

Sorry, hope the song doesn't stay in your head all day. I promise to keep Christmas out of it for a few more months. Thanks for watching.