Female Anxieties of Influence : Reminiscences of Austen's Pride and Prejudice in Charlotte Brontë's Shirley

Key Points

• This research examines the critical relationship between Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austen, focusing on their literary influences.
• Literary analysis of correspondence between Brontë and Austen
• Comparative analysis of themes in 'Shirley' and 'Pride and Prejudice'
• Critical examination of Brontë's critiques in the context of her own work
• Brontë's criticisms reveal her anxieties regarding literary influence
• The analysis uncovers the complexity of female authorship in the 19th century
• Connections between the characters and themes in both novels suggest deep underlying tensions