Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

by Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Victorian, Fiction, 19th Century, British Literature, Historical

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1848

About the author

Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist, the eldest out of the three famous Brontë sisters whose novels have become standards of English literature. See also Emily Brontë and Anne Brontë.

Charlotte Brontë was born in Thornton, Yorkshire, England, the third of six children, to Patrick Brontë (formerly "Patrick Brunty"), an Irish Anglican clergyman, and his wife, Maria Branwell. In April 1820 the family moved a few miles to Haworth, a remote town on the Yorkshire moors, where Patrick had been appointed Perpetual Curate. This is where the Brontë children would spend most of their lives. Maria Branwell Brontë died from what was thought to be cancer on 15 September 1821, leaving five daughters and a son to the care of her spinster sister Elizabeth Branwell, who moved to Yorkshire to help the family.

In August 1824 Charlotte, along with her sisters Emily, Maria, and Elizabeth, was sent to the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire, a new school for the daughters of poor clergyman (which she would describe as Lowood School in Jane Eyre). The school was a horrific experience for the girls and conditions were appalling. They were regularly deprived of food, beaten by teachers and humiliated for the slightest error. The school was unheated and the pupils slept two to a bed for warmth. Seven pupils died in a typhus epidemic that swept the school and all four of the Brontë girls became very ill - Maria and Elizabeth dying of tuberculosis in 1825. Her experiences at the school deeply affected Brontë - her health never recovered and she immortalised the cruel and brutal treatment in her novel, Jane Eyre. Following the tragedy, their father withdrew his daughters from the school.

At home in Haworth Parsonage, Charlotte and the other surviving children — Branwell, Emily, and Anne — continued their ad-hoc education. In 1826 her father returned home with a box of toy soldiers for Branwell. They would prove the catalyst for the sisters' extraordinary creative development as they immediately set to creating lives and characters for the soldiers, inventing a world for them which the siblings called 'Angria'. The siblings became addicted to writing, creating stories, poetry and plays. Brontë later said that the reason for this burst of creativity was that:

'We were wholly dependent on ourselves and each other, on books and study, for the enjoyments and occupations of life. The highest stimulus, as well as the liveliest pleasure we had known from childhood upwards, lay in attempts at literary composition.'

After her father began to suffer from a lung disorder, Charlotte was again sent to school to complete her education at Roe Head school in Mirfield from 1831 to 1832, where she met her lifelong friends and correspondents, Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor. During this period (1833), she wrote her novella The Green Dwarf under the name of Wellesley. The school was extremely small with only ten pupils meaning the top floor was completely unused and believed to be supposedly haunted by the ghost of a young lady dressed in silk. This story fascinated Brontë and inspired the figure of Mrs Rochester in Jane Eyre.

Brontë left the school after a few years, however she swiftly returned in 1835 to take up a position as a teacher, and used her wages to pay for Emily and Anne to be taught at the school. Teaching did not appeal to Brontë and in 1838 she left Roe Head to become a governess to the Sidgewick family -- partly from a sense of adventure and a desire to see the world, and partly from financial necessity.

Charlotte became pregnant soon after her wedding, but her health declined rapidly and, according to biographer Elizabeth Gaskell, she was attacked by "sensations of perpetual nausea and ever-recurring faintness." She died, with her unborn child, on 31 March 1855.

Reviews

[Pink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's play a game. Can you guess the Bronte sister from the title of the poem?

I'll make it easier and give you three examples from each of them.

a) Faith and Despondency
A Death Scene
The Prisoner

b) The Wife's Will
The Letter
Mementos

c) The Student's Life
The Doubter's Prayer
Lines composed in a Wood on a Windy Day

I've picked some pretty representative titles, so if you're at all familiar with their novels, it should be easy to spot who they belong to.

In this collection I learned that I hated Charlotte's poetry, found Anne's a little boring and adored Emily's. Which is how most people would rate their poetic work. I skimmed through the second half of this collection, in favour of picking up Emily's complete works of poetry. Still, this is an interesting read for any Bronte fan wanting to see where it all started.

[Carmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poemas melancólicos e introspectivos, onde as irmãs desabafam a sua insatisfação com as agruras a que a vida as sujeitou, e as levou a criar uma idealização com a morte como uma forma de escapatória, de descanso e alívio.
Paralelamente, a leitura de obras do romantismo poderá ter tido a sua influência nestes poemas sombrios.

[Dafne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desiderato. Cercato, in lungo e in largo; finalmente trovato. Queste sono le fasi che ho attraversato durante la ricerca di questo libro.
Ho amato e amo tuttora i romanzi delle sorelle Brontë e, pur non essendo una lettrice di poesie, ho fortemente desiderato leggere questo volume perché, da loro grande estimatrice quale sono, non potevo di certo lasciarmi sfuggire un volume contenente le poesie da loro scritte prima, durante e dopo la pubblicazione dei loro celebri romanzi.
Ancor prima di iniziare a leggerlo, sapevo che avrei amato anche questo libro e così è stato.
Questo volume raccoglie le poesie di Anne, Charlotte ed Emily, conosciute ai più per i loro romanzi. Alcune delle poesie presenti in questo volume, furono pubblicate sotto il nome di Currer, Acton ed Ellis Bell, nella raccolta di poesie che vendette solo due copie; dopo averle lette non posso ancora capacitarmi come abbia potuto vendere così poco, perché sono poesie molto belle e dolorose allo stesso tempo (detto da una persona che non ama leggere poesie assume – credo – un significato più forte).
Le poesie delle tre sorelle Brontë, come i loro romanzi, sono cupe, intensamente emozionali, gioiose, malinconiche, colme di tormento; ci permettono di vedere e conoscere le loro personalità nascoste; sentire la solitudine (una delle muse delle sorelle), le paure, l’amore, le speranze, la fiducia, i desideri, la nostalgia, l’amore per la natura, la presenza della morte.
Poesie affascinanti che si leggono scorrevolmente, fanno immergere totalmente il lettore nella brughiera, selvaggia e aspra, dello Yorkshire, nelle sue valli solitarie colme d’erica in estate o di neve in inverno, che ha influenzato e modellato lo spirito di queste tre sorelle.
La maggior parte delle poesie di Anne ed Emily appartengono al ciclo di Gondal (ciclo composto sin dalla più tenera età dalle due sorelle in contrapposizione al ciclo di Angria creato da Charlotte e Branwell); Gondal è un’isola creata dall’immaginario delle due sorelle in cui ambientavano poesie e racconti in prosa, di cui ci sono rimaste solo le poesie e non le parti in prosa (se mai ci siano state queste parti, perché, in caso contrario, è veramente un peccato che siano state distrutte o scomparse).
Le poesie appartenenti a questo ciclo narrano di protagonisti che hanno a che fare con castelli, passaggi segreti, campi di battaglia, celle sotterranee, amori contrastati, gelosie e tradimenti. Durante la lettura, mi sono ritrovata spesso a voler conoscere maggiormente il suddetto ciclo, la sua ambientazione e i suoi antefatti, per assaporare meglio queste poesie che hanno molto spesso un tocco di tristezza, disperazione, pena e solitudine.
Anne, però, non ha scritto solo versi appartenenti solo a questo ciclo, ma anche su altri soggetti in cui rivela tutte le sue abilità di scrittrice e poetessa. Delle tre sorelle Anne è quella che mi è piaciuta di più. Le sue poesie (una è presente anche all’interno del suo primo romanzo) raccontano l’amore, il dolore, la nostalgia, la natura, la religione, la fiducia in un mondo migliore; sono quelle più semplici, più facili da leggere, più emozionanti, più intense, più coinvolgenti, che più mi hanno commosso. Ho sentito il suo dolore per un amore perduto, la sua forte fiducia verso Dio, il suo amore per la natura, la nostalgia di casa.
Leggerle mi ha permesso di comprendere ancora di più quanto del carattere di Anne ci sia nella protagonista della sua opera prima, Agnes Grey e nella sua vicenda (un romanzo che è molto autobiografico in tutto e per tutto), e quanto questa giovane donna, tramandata ai posteri come una ragazza timida e mite, sia in realtà una donna forte, con un carattere d’acciaio, molto dotata per la poesia, che possiede anche una dote di sarcasmo e ironia.
Ci sono molte belle poesie fra quelle da lei composte, le mie preferite sono: Notte, Te ne sei andata, Frammento, Sogni, Quanti anni da quando te ne andasti, La confessione.
Le liriche di Charlotte, più che poesie sono delle vere e proprie novelle; se fossero state scritte in prosa potrebbero essere dei racconti gotico – romantici, con protagoniste donne appassionate e uomini superbi, poiché possiedono tutti gli elementi del genere.
In questi componimenti la narratrice inglese parla eloquentemente di passione e sentimenti senza riluttanza, rispecchiano e comunicano come lei vede se stessa e la sua vita. Le poesie possiedono e riflettono la forza, la passione, l’immaginazione, il rimpianto, l’amarezza, che saranno presenti anche nei suoi romanzi.
Charlotte mi ha un po’ deluso in queste poesie ma, secondo il mio modestissimo parere, lei è più portata per la prosa (tecnica affinata sin da piccola nella creazione del ciclo di Angria) che per la poesia. Da questa lettura ne esce una Charlotte ancora acerba ma in cui si riesce ad intravedere tutto il talento posseduto, che, in seguito, esploderà nei suoi romanzi.
Tra le sue poesie che mi sono piaciute di più: Frances, Stanze, In morte di Emily Jane Brontë, In morte di Anne Brontë (in queste ultime due si avverte tutto l’amore che nutre per le due sorelle prematuramente scomparse).
Quella che tra le tre è sempre stata considerata la più dotata per la poesia è Emily, e questo è sicuramente vero. Solo quando ho preso in mano questo volume, ho appreso la quantità di poesie che Emily ha scritto sin dalla più tenera età; sono 188 e la maggior parte, come ho già detto parlando di Anne, appartengono al ciclo di Gondal, ma non solo.
Le poesie di Emily, pur essendo meno personali rispetto a quelle delle sorelle, rivelano il suo amore per la natura, la brughiera selvaggia e la sua casa, cui era legatissima. Parlano di morte, solitudine, dolore, di prigionieri, di amori contrastati, di amori oltre la morte, ma soprattutto di amore per la natura; una natura tenebrosa, selvaggia, tempestosa, di cui la brughiera è protagonista onnipresente, ritratta per lo più in autunno e inverno, che riflette lo stato d’animo e i sentimenti dei protagonisti agitati da irrefrenabili passioni. Nelle sue poesie rivivono in miniatura il mondo e lo stile “selvaggio” presente nel suo unico romanzo, “Cime tempestose”; possiamo scorgere tutto il fascino della figura di questa giovane donna, il suo stile inconfondibile, la forza e la sua viscerale passione per la natura.
Dalla lettura di queste poesie emerge una donna fiera, orgogliosa, solitaria, indomabile, amante della libertà e della natura.
Ci sono molte belle poesie, soprattutto tra quella che hanno come tema i paesaggi naturali; le poesie che mi sono piaciute di più, sono: Stelle (la mia preferita fra quelle scritte da lei), Dimmi dimmi fanciulla ridente, La nebbia è dolce sulla collina, Stanze, Il mio consolatore, Parla di me, R. Alcona a J. Brenzaida (Rimembranza).

Ho letto queste poesie nell’arco di otto mesi; ne leggevo poche alla volta, a piccole dosi.
Questa raccolta è importante, perché leggendole si può notare l’influenza di altri scrittori nel loro stile e l’evoluzione che quest’ultimo ha subito, dai componimenti facenti parti degli juvenilia fino alle opere più mature.
Sono liriche intense, pervase di cupa nostalgia, di dolore per la perdita dei cari che le tre hanno subito durante la loro esistenza (tema onnipresente in sottofondo in ognuna di loro), di solitudine, che colpiscono per la loro forza e la loro malinconia.
Poesie scritte per lo più di notte (protagonista di molto liriche), il momento di massima ispirazione, in cui la mente, l’immaginazione è più libera; in cui i sogni, i tormenti e rimpianti riemergono in tutta la loro forza.
Spesso mi ha colpito un’intera poesia, una sola strofa o magari una singola frase. Ognuna di queste ti ricorda un’esperienza vissuta, un sentimento provato, un paesaggio visto o visitato; riescono a colpirti per la loro semplicità, regalano intense emozioni, sono attinenti ai sentimenti che senti, alle sensazioni che ti regalano.
Hanno il potere di riuscire a farci conoscere il vero io di queste tre autrici più di quanto le numerose raccolte di lettere o biografie in circolazione non possano mai fare; ci regalano una visione dei pensieri, del dolore provato, delle personalità e dei sentimenti delle tre sorelle Brontë.
Questo volume di poesie è da tenere sempre accanto a sé, a portata di mano, per leggere e rileggere questi componimenti meravigliosi.

PS: vorrei aggiungere solo altre due righe per parlare di questo volume. È un’ottima edizione, con testo originale a fronte, dotata di un’introduzione e di una cronologia esauriente, di un’interessante postfazione e, più di tutto, dotato di un completo ed esaustivo apparato di note per ogni poesia.
Veramente un’edizione stupenda che spero sia ristampata al più presto.

Notte

Amo l’ora silente della notte
perché un sogno felice nasce allora
rivelando alla mia vista incantata
ciò che il mio occhio sveglio non adora.

E può il mio orecchio udire anche la voce
che da tempo la morte ha soffocato;
l’afflitta solitudine in un grato
impeto di speranza si tramuta.

Fredda giace da anni nella tomba
la creatura che amavo contemplare;
soltanto il sogno a notte come viva
può farla dolcemente ritornare.

[Fátima Linhares · Rating 5 out of 5]

De nada serve chorar;
Condenados à separação,
Podemos guardar
Lembranças no coração;

Podemos sempre acreditar,
Ao mais íntimo ser fiel,
E com coragem e desdém desafiar
O mundo a ser cruel

Suas loucuras não tememos nós,
Enfrentaremos a realidade;
Cada dia deixará em nós
Um ledo sorriso se saudade

Eu não sou grande coisa a analisar poemas e poesia em geral - num teste de português em vez de chamar quadra ao poema disse que era uma quadrilha, por isso. :D

O que posso escrever é que gostei dos versos das três irmãs. Escrevem de uma forma muito bela sobre a vida, a natureza, o amor e a morte. A maioria dos poemas são tristes e melancólicos, mas também muito belos. Um livro para de vez em quando retirar da estante, abrir numa página à sorte e reler.

[Iza Brekilien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently, I read Emily's poems and I didn't like them very much. Didn't hate them either, but I didn't feel drawned to them. Strangely enough, they were the ones I prefered in this particular book.

It's not the book I would recommend to those who have never read the Brontës, but if you have, if you know their lives, this will be interesting. You can spot particular themes that you can also find in their novels, you can find echoes of their lives and know who or what they are writing about. And on a second reading, I even loved some of them. This edition was particularly moving because they were annotated by Charlotte, who took to doing this work after losing her siblings.

So, for a first reading : no. But if you're interested in British poetry, Victorian literature or simply the Brontês : yes !

PS : This is the first book they ever published and only sold... two copies !

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first outing of the Brontë sisters as writers does indeed read like a first outing - Poems was published with the sole intention to establish a name for themselves before risking a work of fiction. But the sisters (or brothers?!!) remained unknown despite the poetry… actually, probably because of the poetry. Regardless of some very favourable reviews, only two copies were sold.

It’s quite evident why; there’s the odd gem here and there, but the overall collection is lukewarm. However, this volume is fascinating from a biographical perspective - for a seasoned Brontë fan it would be fairly easy to guess the author of each poem from either the style or content. Charlotte’s almost sentimental and fanciful poetry was more enjoyable than I had anticipated, especially since she is hailed as the least competent composer of the three. Emily’s was clearly darker and denser but, dare I say it, a little samey. Anne’s pieces are generally described as ‘boring’, but I thoroughly disagree - ‘charming’ would be a far more accurate epithet. Just because she generally chooses to focus on the twee rather than the sublime (like Emily, for example) or explicit passion (Charlotte) does not necessarily mean that she is less competent and deserves dismissal. The eloquent delineation of her religious doubt especially is compelling, but I can appreciate that the topic itself feels archaic and difficult to connect with in a far more secular society. Charlotte however did give a highly insightful commentary to the posthumous collection of her sisters’ poetry which serves to clarify some of Anne’s anxieties as well as Emily’s progressively outlandish compositions. It is also worth mentioning that many of Emily and Anne’s poems were originally written as part of their fantasy saga and were ‘degondalised’ for publication, so I recommend reading those in their intended format (ie. as juvenilia) rather than in this volume alone.

Probably not the best place to start with the Brontës; prioritize their novels first, then come back to this to see how it all began and appreciate their astounding growth as writers.

[Martina (aka Mar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

[sfogliarsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contavo di leggere questa antologia da anni, e finalmente eccola qui tra le mie mani... e divorata!❤️‍🔥
Le sorelle Brontë sono tra le mie scrittrici preferite per quanto riguarda la letteratura inglese, ho letto tanti loro romanzi ma le poesie mi mancavano, infatti ero curiosa di leggerle proprio per scoprire questo loro lato creativo, legato alla loro penna.

Le sorelle Brontë: il dono della parola alata
Tre sorelle, tre stili diversi
Tantissime poesie, lunghe e lunghissime
Antologia dettagliata e curata con introduzione, cronologia e bibliografia
Antologia scritta a sei mani e sotto l'identità maschile
Charlotte divenne Currer, Emily fu Ellis ed Anne fu Acton
Questa raccolta poetica non ebbe molto successo quando erano in vita, infatti, vendette solo due copie

📌Prima sezione: le poesie di ANNE
Poesie lunghe, dai tratti lunghissime, parlano di vari argomenti e momenti quotidiani della scrittrice, tra famiglia, dolori, rimpianti, la casa e le sorelle.
📌Seconda sezione: le poesie di CHARLOTTE
Poesie molto più brevi, sono rare quelle lunghe e i temi sono diversi; si leggono soprattutto i temi della natura (come tramonto, bosco, mattino, aurora, inverno, sera, la rosa). Strazianti le poesie dedicate all sorelle morte prima di lei...!
📌Terza sezione: le poesie di EMILY
Questa è la sezione più corposa dell'intera raccolta poetica. Qui è possibile trovare poesie lunghe e intense...! In ogni caso, anche questa sezione mi è piaciuta molto!

[Tiff (fictionaltiff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, my favorite poem:
My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring
And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze;
For above and around me the wild wind is roaring, Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.

The long withered grass in the sunshine is glancing, The bare trees are tossing their branches on high; The dead leaves beneath them are merrily dancing, The white clouds are scudding across the blue sky

I wish I could see how the ocean is lashing
The foam of its billows to whirlwinds of spray;
I wish I could see how its proud waves are dashing, And hear the wild roar of their thunder to-day!

--------------------------------------------------
Brontë fans should be sure to check this book of poems out. This is the Brontë sisters' very first published book and it was originally collaborated together among the sisters to be published, but later after her sisters passed away, Charlotte revised it with some unseen poems that she had discovered, realizing she wanted her sisters to have the fame they deserved.

I really enjoyed this and felt like I could identify with the more spiritual poems. A lot of passages also gave an inside view to the gloomy side of the Brontë sisters.

[Duane Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume of poetry containing poems from all three Bronte sisters was first published in 1846. It sold two copies. Not discouraged, they continued to write (thank goodness) and the following year saw the publication of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey. The following year Emily died (Dec 1848) and six months later Anne died (May 1849). If these sisters had lived to even age 50, it staggers the mind to think what they may have contributed to the world of literature. As it is, the few volumes they produced rank as some of the greatest novels ever written
If you had to rank the sisters based on their novels, it would probably be Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. As for their poetry, I would rank them Emily, Anne, and Charlotte. But I'm certainly not an expert on judging poetry. Like every volume of poetry I've read, some I liked, some I didn't. Rereading this volume was interesting because poetry, I believe, gives us a view into the writers thoughts and personalities. And when it comes to writing sisters, it doesn't get any better than the Brontes.

[Joseph Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I do partake of the Bronte sisters’ gothic poetry. Doctor says it’s fine in moderation

[Rebecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my kind of poetry. Ultimately depressing and easy to follow (at least most of it). This book has motivated me to finally pick up The Brontës: A life in letters, that I bought perhaps 10 years ago but never actually opened. The Brontë sisters' poetry should really be read with some context, I think. Reading about their lives while reading their incredibly sad poems gives you the ultimate experience of gloom and doom. They all died remarkably young and led very lonely lives. They all wrote love stories, yet Charlotte was the only one who actually managed to get married. She was the one who survived all the illness that killed off the rest of the family - only to die from pregnancy instead. And the father outlived them all, his wife and 6 children.

It's reads more like someone tried to write a really depressing family saga - and went a little bit overboard.

I only refer to the sisters here because Branwell isn't really an impressive fellow. His poems are included in this volume, but they are stilted and show signs of trying way, way too hard to write pretty verse (in archaic English). Anne's poems in particular are very simple - and much more powerful by comparison. Emily is forever my favorite, and hers are simply very pretty, as are Charlotte's, who had the most to write about since she lived the longest. All the sisters write about death, death, death (all their siblings kept dying right and left so no wonder) and loneliness - but I have no idea what Branwell wrote about. Can't remember a single one of his poems.

Why isn't the Brontë poetry mentioned more often?

[Moushmi Radhanpara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If life must be so full of care,
Then call me soon to thee;
Or give me strength enough to bear
My load of misery."

The Bronte sisters are one of the finest. I must be honest, that I did not like all of these poems but those were very few and perhaps it was because of me lacking the intensity and depth needed to understand.

And the rest, all of them are too good. Spiritual, strength, love, emotion, care, faith, hope and so many more feelings, all brim through these pieces. Some of my favourites are 'A prayer', 'Stanzas', 'Views of life', 'If this be all', 'Frances'.

Each piece brings to the readers a new feeling and makes one wonder the intricasies of life. The poetry is as good as their prose and one can't not read them if they are a fan of victorian literature.

[Ana Rita Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

não poderia ter escolhido um livro mais adequado para este início de ano.

deixo-vos um excerto de um dos meus poemas preferidos ("Monólogo do professor") da autoria de Charlotte Brontë:

"Às vezes penso que um coração apertado
Me faz assim chorar quem está ausente,
E mantém o meu amor tão arredado
Dos amigos e das amizades do presente;
Às vezes penso que é só um sonho
Que acalento tão ciosamente,
Pois cada pensamento meu, risonho,
Parece esfumar-se para sempre:
E então, este estranho mundo, mundo cão,
Torna-se palpável e real;
E cada som, cada visão
Levam meu espírito, afinal,
A render-se à dor, tão vã e desolada"

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got 64% of the way into the book and decided to DNF it for now. About 90% of the poems are about death. They are very gloomy, all about suffering and despair and darkness. It was making me depressed, so I decided to DNF it.

The poetry is good. Some are almost genius. There were several poems that really touched my heart. The Brontës certainly have a way with words. So many of the phrases are beautifully crafted.

These poems are very emotional and wild and raging like a storm. But they can also embrace a little detail, a look, or word, or the simple comfort of a hearth.

Some of my favorite poems in this book were "Memory" by Anne Bronte, and "Stars" and "To Imagination" by Emily Bronte, and "Mementos" and "The Missionary" by Charlotte Bronte.

I also really liked a few lines in the poem "Gilbert" because they talk about the piano, and I'm a pianist.
"Some soft piano-notes alone
Were sweet as faintly given,
Where ladies, doubtless, cheered the hearth
With song that winter-even."

Favorite lines from "Mementos":
"The book-shelves were her darling treasure,
She rarely seemed the time to measure
While she could read alone."

"The Missionary" was especially inspiring because I grew up overseas as a missionary kid. It talks about forsaking everything for the sake of your faith and helping others, and being glad to suffer if it means that you can steadfastly do your duty. I found it very moving, like a trumpet call to faith!

Favorite lines from "Stars":
"Ah! why, because the dazzling sun
Restored our Earth to joy,
Have you departed, every one,
And left a desert sky?
All through the night, your glorious eyes
Were gazing down in mine,
And, with a full heart's thankful sighs,
I blessed that watch divine.
I was at peace, and drank your beams
As they were life to me;
And revelled in my changeful dreams,
Like petrel on the sea."

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brontës by Pamela Norris is a collection of selected poems from not only the Bronte sisters, but also certain poems from their brother Patrick Branwell Brontë. According to the introduction, Patrick Bronte was a good poet, but did not reach the level of sophistication of his sisters. Emily Brontë, according to Norris, is the most accomplished of the poets in terms of grasping meter and other components of poetry. Anne Brontë is the most accessible, and readers often find it easier to emotionally connect with the poet. Charlotte Brontë‘s poems often resemble her novels with their passionate women and abrasive men, but Norris says her narrative style can often overwhelm the poem and obscure its meaning.

The collection begins with a selection of poems from Charlotte, and many of these poems are bogged down in narrative, poetic prose, but the meaning of the poems are not completely obscured. In fact, the selection of poems offer a sense of longing and despair topped with a current of optimism and rays of hope. In “Mementos,” Charlotte alludes to the precious nature of material objects, which even though tied to loved ones, is now moldy and dusty — long forgotten.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2010/12/t...

[Flavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poesie di Anne 4/5
Charlotte 3/5
Emily 4/5

Bellissime le poesie sul mondo di Gondal. Immagini vivide di mondi e personaggi affascinanti.

[Kavreb · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I actually listened to the audiobook version, “The Poetry of the Brontes: Volume I & II”, but it has no cover here so let's skip that)

Such a nice collection of poems for falling asleep, almost incapable as I was lying in bed following the logic of any single one as the quietly emotional delivery of each narrator aided me in succumbing to the long-yearned sleep.

Kidding aside, perhaps it's just the audiobook format of it that made it so easy for my mind to wander, and the words of the poems to wander as well, parallel, but rarely intersecting. Or perhaps it is the authors after all, and their writing, as even staring into the distance in a park concentrating, I just couldn't, especially as there were a few poems that I liked enough to have the potential to one day appear amongst my favourites (such as Charlotte’s Life & Regret, Emily’s Song, and Anne’s If This Be All), and listened to with avid interest, catching almost everything.

But as it was still just a few, for now I'll keep the grade. Perhaps one day I will re-listen, exchange the grade with my mind at ease, there's always time to change it, the thing that never mattered anyway.

Though having already tried to re-listen, now their words just grate as well. Proceed at your own discretion.

[Mel Shield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always difficult to rate a compilation, poetry the more so.

Opted to read this as slow ongoing expansion of poetry (love writing it, not sold on reading it), and because I was won over by Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, so why not check out the sisters' poetry.

I much preferred Emily to Charlotte, and Charlotte to Anne.

A couple of pleasant poems, around a dozen that I enjoyed, and a whole host of religious and gloomy leanings (Anne the more so).

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

O, insipid verse!
Exclamatory marks struggle in vain
To make passion from mediocrity.
Endless iambs bore the reader,
Not music but flat drum-beat.
Imitatory ramblings innovate not,
Nor speak originally but instead
Conventionally cover well-mapped territory,
Waste readers' time and printers' ink
But - Shhsh! - Don't tell anybody!

[Philip Battle · Rating 5 out of 5]

....famously known for only selling one single copy on its release. This self published book of poems is essential reading for any Bronte fan. Emily is without doubt the most talented of writers. A spellbinding FIVE STARS!

[Marlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry isn’t normally my choice for reading. I read this collection because I love these authors, and this book was gifted to me. I really enjoyed the poetry. Beautiful and yet simple enough for someone like me, who doesn’t spend a lot of time on poetry.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of Emily and Anne’s poems are exceedingly good. I was not such a big fan of Charlotte’s, although it is not fair to compare her to her sisters. All three of them are geniuses of the written word.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful words on faith, death, and the emotions from love and loss from these melancholic three. Emily’s were my favorite. ❤️

[Juh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Jane Ess · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ There are very few literary works by Charlotte Brontë that I haven’t read. I’ve read all of her famous novels (Fun Fact: Other than Jane Eyre, the ultimate Victorian romance, Shirley is my favourite, which is a rather unpopular opinion among Victorianists!), and I’ve also read several biographies of her life. Having said that, it is a wonder to me that I hadn’t gotten around to reading her poetry until this week. I’ve been immersed in Claire Harman’s new biography Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart, and all the quotes from Charlotte’s poems as well as the discussion of how she went about getting her first collection of poetry (along with her sisters’ poems) published was fascinating to me, and made me feel that I absolutely had to read this first text published by the Brontë sisters. So, I got my hands on a copy of Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell (aka Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë) and I started reading, planning to finish the poetry of one sister each day. I did just that, I have now completed the entire tome. As a result, I’ve decided to review each of the sisters’ poems separately and document my exact thoughts on some of the poems I enjoyed the most and that spoke to me most profoundly. I’ve also documented lines and passages that I found particularly moving. Today, I’ll begin my study of the poetry of the Bells with an analysis of the works of Currer, the eldest sibling.
Charlotte Brontë is basically my god, my inspiration, my daily encouragement and idol. I’m obsessed with her novels, as I stated above, but I’ve also always enjoyed whatever poems are included in her novels, such as “Rochester’s Song for Jane Eyre” and the lovely poem featured in her first completed novel The Professor. It’s no wonder, then, that I thoroughly enjoyed the poems she published as Currer Bell, all of which tell a distinct story and speak profoundly about love and human relationships. Here are the highlights of what I thought about many of Currer’s poems:
Pilate’s Wife’s Dream = impressive to behold, in terms of sheer length.
Mementos = such a distinct and clear voice; I really felt the description of the woman and the child profoundly.
“The bookshelves were her darling treasure /
She rarely seemed the time to measure /
While she could read alone.”
The Wife’s Will = “For oh! most truly – I love thee!”
Life = more upbeat and positive.
“Oft a little morning rain /
Foretells a pleasant day.”
The Letter = so simple but lovely and sad; possibly reflective of CB’s letter writing process.
Presentiment = conversation between CB and her sister Emily (as character Jane, which was her middle name)? Does CB wish to die?
Passion = “Could I gain thy love to-night / I’d hazard death to-morrow.”
Stanzas = just as moving and melancholy as Presentiment and Passion.
“My love is almost anguish now, /
It beats so strong and true.”
Apostasy = reminiscent of CB’s own confession at the Catholic Church in Brussels…perhaps autobiographical?
“Priest – MUST I cease to think of him?”
The Missionary = the model for St. John Rivers of Jane Eyre?

My Favourite Poems of CB’s Collection
Frances = heartbreaking, especially if you know CB’s biography and details about her unrequited love for Monsieur Constantin Héger. “Mementos, on the chamber wall” (= connection to poem of this name? both poems intended for one specific reader/Héger?)
“She will not sleep, for fear of dreams”
“Stamped deep on vision, heart and brain”
~Hope for rekindled love…BUT then CB chastises herself.
“Love may restore him yet to me /
False thought – false hope – in scorn be banished! /
I am not loved – nor loved have been.”
Gilbert = woman helpless and weak in love. Is this how CB felt? As if she lost her dignity?
“And truly it was sweet /
To see so fair a woman kneel, /
In bondage, at my feet.”
= the man is heartless, egotistical and mean. “a selfish heart” The poem is critical of how men treat and use women. GOTHIC!
“No kindness in his tone…
Speaks coldly there alone.”
= the man should therefore be haunted and punished (an investigation of his guilty psychology).
“His features well his heart can mask, /
With smiles and smoothness bland.”
= Vengeance! Revenge! Gilbert commits suicide and CB gets her sinister revenge and makes the man suffer.
These notes may seem a bit scattered, but they give an adequate picture of my experience while reading Currer Bell’s poetry. As with any of Charlotte Brontë’s works, so many emotions are at play, all at once, and Charlotte is not shy about speaking up and expressing her emotions and sentiments without veil or reluctance. In reading Charlotte’s poems while immersed in her biography, it is clear just how acutely she suffered in love, but also just how big and expressive her gorgeous and wonderful heart was.
I would recommend Currer Bell’s poems to any reader who adored the heart-wrenching quality of Jane Eyre and Villette. ~

Further reviews of this poetry collection to come on my literary blog!

https://worldofmygreenheart.wordpress...

[Kitty Rodriguez Barani · Rating 3 out of 5]

¿quién lastimó tanto a las hermanas Brontë?😂

[Adam E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poetry by the Bronte sisters. They published these works under pseudonyms. The poems deal with darkness, love and religion. My favorite poem is entitled, The Prisoner, by Emily Bronte.

[hawk · Rating 3 out of 5]

read as separate volume 1 and 2 (read 2 before 1 🙃)

interesting to have the 3 siblings together 🙂

a few poems/turn of phrase caught my ear, but alot passed me by (*).

I think the poems that struck me most were those to siblings that had died by those remaining.


(* aware this could have been in part the readers, and the recording having a kinda echo. accessed as a library audiobook)

[Christy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading a poem for the first time, it's not exactly simple to give your immediate thoughts on it. I feel that you need to read a poem a few times over until you can give you honest impressions. That said, it is impossible to give an accurate review of this entire book of poetry by the sisters Brontë only reading it one time through. This is, however, a collection that I will often come back to.

Except maybe Charlotte's.

Charlotte is no great poet. I didn't want to skip over her poetry or even skim it, so I read it in full, but I read it a little bit at a faster pace than I usually would read poetry. I didn't connect with it. It wasn't great.

Emily and Anne's poetry was breathtaking, however. I had yet to read anything by Anne before reading her poetry, so this was my first experience with her words. I found them beautiful and thought provoking.

Anne's words were often about wanting to break free, while Emily's words were often inspired about the Parsonage and her love of her home.

With this, I'll leave you with my favorite poem in the collection:

Honour's Martyr by Emily Brontë

The moon is full this winter night;
The stars are clear, though few;
And every window glistens bright
With leaves of frozen dew.

The sweet moon through your lattice gleams,
And lights your room like day;
And there you pass, in happy dreams,
The peaceful hours away!

While I, with effort hardly quelling
The anguish in my breast,
Wander about the silent dwelling,
And cannot think of rest.

The old clock in the gloomy hall
Ticks on, from hour to hour;
And every time its measured call
Seems lingering slow and slower:

And, oh, how slow that keen-eyed star
Has tracked the chilly gray!
What, watching yet! how very far
The morning lies away!

Without your chamber door I stand;
Love, are you slumbering still?
My cold heart, underneath my hand,
Has almost ceased to thrill.

Bleak, bleak the east wind sobs and sighs,
And drowns the turret bell,
Whose sad note, undistinguished, dies
Unheard, like my farewell!

To-morrow, Scorn will blight my name,
And Hate will trample me,
Will load me with a coward's shame--
A traitor's perjury.

False friends will launch their covert sneers;
True friends will wish me dead;
And I shall cause the bitterest tears
That you have ever shed.

The dark deeds of my outlawed race
Will then like virtues shine;
And men will pardon their disgrace,
Beside the guilt of mine.

For, who forgives the accursed crime
Of dastard treachery?
Rebellion, in its chosen time,
May Freedom's champion be;

Revenge may stain a righteous sword,
It may be just to slay;
But, traitor, traitor,--from THAT word
All true breasts shrink away!

Oh, I would give my heart to death,
To keep my honour fair;
Yet, I'll not give my inward faith
My honour's NAME to spare!

Not even to keep your priceless love,
Dare I, Beloved, deceive;
This treason should the future prove,
Then, only then, believe!

I know the path I ought to go
I follow fearlessly,
Inquiring not what deeper woe
Stern duty stores for me.

So foes pursue, and cold allies
Mistrust me, every one:
Let me be false in others' eyes,
If faithful in my own.