Mrs. Gaskell's "Life of Charlotte Brontë" is one of the great
biographies of literature, but like other works on the same theme, it
is really a history of the Brontë family during the period of
Charlotte's life. The individuals of this family were for many years
as closely associated with one another as they were closely hidden from
the outside world. The personality of each was influenced by its
house-mates to an unusual degree. They studied each other and they
studied every book that came within reach. Themselves they knew well:
the world, through books only. This probably accounts for the weird
and even morbid character of much of their work. Their vivid
imaginations, unchecked by experience, in a commonplace world were
allowed free play, and as a result we find some of the most original
creations in the whole realm of literature.
The life of the Brontë sisterhood should convince the literary aspirant
that the creative imagination is sufficient unto itself and independent
of the stimulus of contact with the busy hum of men. If it be
necessary, the literary genius by divination can portray life without
seeing it. Bricks are produced without straw.
From "Life of Charlotte Brontë," by Mrs. E. C. Gaskell.
But the children did not want society. To small infantine gayeties
they were unaccustomed. They were all in all to each other. I do not
suppose that there ever was a family more tenderly bound to each other.
Maria read the newspapers, and reported intelligence to her younger
sisters which it is wonderful they could take an interest in. But I
suspect that they had no "children's books," and their eager minds
"browzed undisturbed among the wholesome pasturage of English
literature," as Charles Lamb expresses it. The servants of the
household appear to have been much impressed with the little Brontës'
extraordinary cleverness. In a letter which I had from him on this
subject, their father writes: "The servants often said they had never
seen such a clever little child" (as Charlotte), "and that they were
obliged to be on their guard as to what they said and did before her.
Yet she and the servants always lived on good terms with each
other. . . ."