The Structure of Shirley

Abstract

Under the influence of Francis Butterfield, Charlotte Brontë changed the focus of Shirley from contemporary Chartism to the Luddite agitation of 1811–12. Her consequent decision to set the novel in the Heavy Woollen area enabled her to draw on the personal and economic history of the Taylor family. Despite Mrs Gaskell’s identification of Shirley with Emily Brontë, Mary Taylor, besides being portrayed as Rose Yorke, also contributes key character traits to Shirley herself. It was mainly after Emily’s death that Charlotte attempted to graft elements of her personality onto the portrait of her heroine, perhaps without complete success.