It's just oh so Victorian Summer with its fullness and girly ruffles (though an authentic dress from this period would be a bit more modest with the skin on top), and I like to picture my favorite sibling authoresses in similar garb as they stroll the wild moors of Haworth.
The long standing "Bronte Myth" has popularized the image of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte as country bumpkins raised in the wild moors and cutoff from society. This began with the very first Bronte biographer, Elizabeth Gaskell who wrote during Charlotte's lifetime, and even Charlotte herself somewhat encouraged this myth in her introduction to the second editions of her late sisters' works, claiming that any flaws in the novels were due to their innocence and lack of worldly experience. However, the truth is that Haworth was deep in the throws of industrialization in the 1840s, and the girls lived only a few miles from a bustling urban center. Closer to reality than a walk in the country, perhaps, is a walk in the city!
I feel very Catherine in Wuthering Heights here!
Even in their home, the Brontes were far from sheltered from the social and literary movements of their time, being avid readers of many popular journals and magazines from childhood. This exposure informed their "Juvenilla," the name for their collection of childhood writings including their brother, Branwell's contributions.
I love the contrast of old and new, and the pictures we took of this dress capture the contradiction nicely with the whimsical style of the clothing and the backdrop of urbanization.
Do you ever have fun dressing up like your favorite literary heroes or characters?
9 comments:
You look so gorgeous in that dress! And I love the soft colors.
*Ena*
I love the dress! Dressing up is so fun, but you don't look like you're intending to be a character here - it suits you :)
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this dress is gorgeous! i'm so glad you kept it long, it looks so swishy and pretty and swirly. and yes, i definitely think of my favorite literary characters OFTEN in my adventures with clothing. lately it is always anne of green gables, since i've taken to wearing straw hats with bows.
Oh man, it totally reminds me of a Southern Belle!
Wow that is a beautiful dress. There is really no word for it but beautiful.
Love your blog! Following for sure :D
I also see a bit of Scarlet O’Hara in the wind blown shot. It would be fun to enjoy it long and then maybe one day shorten it…
I love this post - you look so gorgeous in that dress and I enjoyed reading about the Bronte's a bit more as I love their writing. Currently I'm reading W. Heights as I've never read it before can you believe?
I'd like to see some other states while I'm here so hopefully I can save up some money to go on a trip!
Amazing views and lovely dress
tc
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Hello. Your site is very interesting:) very nice. I love lace and old to consider.
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