The Parsonage Children: An Analysis of the Creative Early Years of the Brontës at Haworth

Abstract

This paper analyzes the evolving creative development of the young Brontes at Haworth Parsonage in England during the first half of the nineteenth century. The author concludes that by closely examining the early years of eminent individuals we are better able to analyze those qualities, behaviors, and events that describe the process of talent development. In the case of the Brontës, one is able to study a family of exceptional talent and to reflect on the significance of the role of parents, collaborative siblings, and the natural environment in the nourishing and sustaining of that talent. This paper focuses on the education of the Brontës and on the "little books" that they started to produce in abundance when they were young and continued to write into adolescence.