Myths of Power : A Marxist Study of the Brontës

Myths of Power - Anniversary Edition sets out to interpret the fiction of the Brontë sisters in light of a Marxist analysis of the historical conditions in which it was produced. Its aim is not merely to relate literary facts, but by a close critical examination of the novels, to find in them a significant structure of ideas and values which related to the Brontës' ambiguous situation within the class-system of their society. Its intention is to forge close relations between the novels, nineteenth-century ideology, and historical forces, in order to illuminate the novels themselves in a radically new perspective. When originally published in 1975 (second edition in 1988), it was the first full-length Marxist study of the Brontës and is now reissued to celebrate 30 years since its first publication. It includes a new Introduction by Terry Eagleton which reflects on the changes which have happened in Marxist literary criticism since 1988, and situates this reissue of the second edition in current debates. Myths Of Power Sets Out To Interpret The Fiction Of The Bront͡ Sisters In Light Of A Marxist Analysis Of The Historical Conditions In Which It Was Produced. Its Aim Is Not Merely To Relate Literary Facts, But By A Close Critical Examination Of The Novels, To Find In Them A Significant Structure Of Ideas And Values Which Related To The Bront͡s' Ambiguous Situation Within The Class-system Of Their Society. Its Intention Is To Forge Close Relations Between The Novels, Nineteenth-century Ideology, And Historical Forces, In Order To Illuminate The Novels Themselves In A Radically New Perspective. When Originally Published In 1975 (second Edition In 1988), It Was The First Full-length Marxist Study Of The Bront͡s And Is Now Reissued To Celebrate 30 Years Since Its First Publication. It Includes A New Introduction By Terry Eagleton Which Reflects On The Changes Which Have Happened In Marxist Literary Criticism Since 1988, And Situates This Reissue Of The Second Edition In Current Debates On Literary Theory. Acknowledgements -- New Introduction To The Reissue Of The Second Edition -- Introduction To The Second Edition -- Introduction -- Jane Eyre -- The Professor -- Shirley -- Villette -- The Structure Of Charlotte Bront͡'s Fiction -- Wuthering Heights -- Anne Bront͡ -- Notes -- Index. Terry Eagleton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book sets out to interpret the fiction of the Bront sisters in light of a Marxist analysis of the historical conditions in which it was produced. Its aim is not merely to relate literary facts, but by a close critical examination of the novels, to find in them a significant structure of ideas and values which related to the Bronts' ambiguous situation within the class system of their society. Its intention is to forge close relations between the novels, nineteenth-century ideology, and historical forces, in order to illuminate the novels themselves in a radically new perspective. When originally published in 1975 (second edition in 1988), it was the first full-length Marxist study of the Bronts and is now reissued to celebrate 30 years since its first publication. It includes a new Introduction by Terry Eagleton that reflects the changes that have happened in Marxist literary criticism since 1988, and situates this reissue in current debates. Front Matter....Pages i-xxix Introduction....Pages 1-14 Jane Eyre....Pages 15-32 The Professor....Pages 33-44 Shirley....Pages 45-60 Villette....Pages 61-73 The Structure of Charlotte Brontë’s Fiction....Pages 74-96 Wuthering Heights....Pages 97-121 Anne Brontë....Pages 122-138 Back Matter....Pages 139-148