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*CHARLOTTE BRONTE'S BIRTH
Charlotte Bronte was born at Thorton, Yorkshire to Rev. Patrick Bronte and Maria Bronte. She was the third of six children (Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne).
*Charlotte had a very religious father which could have been a possible influence in her portrayal of strict religious characters in the book, like Brocklehurst and St. John -
Mother's death
Charlotte's mother died when she was only five years old. -
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*Attended the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge
Charlotte and her sisters all attended this school for a year and received very harsh treatment and insufficient food.
*Charlotte's experiences at this school are VERY similar to Jane's experiences at Lowood! Sources:
http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/brontes/charlotte/charlotte.asp -
Maria's death
Charlotte's oldest sister, Maria, died of consumption (tuberculosis) probably due to the harsh treatment at Cowan Bridge.
*Death of close relatives and friends is a big theme in Jane Eyre. -
Elisabeth's death
Only a month after Maria died, Elisabeth also died of the same thing.
In June, Charlotte and Emily left the school and came home. -
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Education at Roe Head
During the years of 1831-1832, Charlotte pursued her education at Roe Head. She left in June of 1832 to help with her sister's education at home. -
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*At Roe Head as a Teacher
In July 1835, Charlotte returned to Roe Head to serve as a teacher for 3 years, until she again returned to Haworth.
*Jane also taught at the school she once attended. -
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*Served as a Governess
Charlotte served as a governess on and off between the years of 1839 and 1841.
*Just like Bronte, Jane also served as a governess. -
Enrolled at Pensionnat Heger at Brussels
Emily and Charlotte enrolled at this school in February. However, their aunt's death in November brought them back home. -
Returned to Brussels to teach English
Charlotte returned to Brussels to teach English, and remained there for a year before returning to Haworth again in 1844. -
Unsuccessfully tried starting a school
Emily and Charlotte tried to start a school, but their attempt failed. -
Published a book of poetry
Charlotte, along with her sisters Emily and Anne published a book of their poetry in May 1846. They published under the male pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Currer Bell was Charlotte's pseudonym. Nineteen of the poems in the book were written by Charlotte. -
Tried to have The Professor published
Charlotte tried to get her first novel (The Professor) published. However, despite multiple attempts at publication, her attempts were unsuccessful. -
JANE EYRE PUBLISHED
Charlotte's most famous book (Jane Eyre) was published in October 1847 and has become extremely well known! -
Branwell's death
Charlotte's brother Branwell died this year. -
Emily's death
Emily died this year. -
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SHIRLEY PUBLISHED
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*Proposal and Rejection
Rev. A.B. Nicholls proposed to Charlotte. However, her father did not approve and Charlotte didn't love him - so she refused.
*Jane rejected St. John's marriage proposal (also a religious man who she did not particularly love) -
VILLETTE PUBLISHED
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MARRIAGE TO NICHOLLS
Eventually, Charlotte's father approved of Nicholls as a husband for her. So, the two of them got married, even though Charlotte still did not particularly love him. -
CHARLOTTE'S DEATH
Charlotte died on March 31, 1855 from pneumonia. She was expecting her first child at the time. -
THE PROFESSOR FINALLY PUBLISHED
The Professor was finally published two years after Bronte's death.