The Brontës: Wild Genius on the Moors: The Story of a Literary Family

by Juliet Barker

My Lord, I believe that I have talent. Do not be indignant at my presumption, do not accuse me of arrogance, I do not know that feeble feeling, the child of vanity; but I know well another feeling, Respect for myself, a feeling born of independence and integrity. My Lord I believe that I have Genius. This declaration shocks you; you find it arrogant, I find it perfectly simple. Is it not universally recognised that without genius no artist can succeed? Would it not then be sheer stupidity to devote oneself to the arts without being sure that one has this indispensible quality?18 In describing the poor artist’s early difficulties, however, Charlotte spoke with the voice of bitter personal experience. Throughout all my early youth the difference which existed between me and most of the people who surrounded me, was an embarrassing enigma to me which I did not know how to resolve; I thought myself inferior to everyone and it distressed me. I thought it was my duty to follow the example set by the majority of my acquaintances, an example sanctioned by the approbation of prudent and legitimate mediocrity, and yet I felt myself incapable of feeling and behaving as that majority felt and behaved … There was always excess in what I did; I was either too excited or too despondent; without wanting to I allowed everything that passed through my heart to be seen and sometimes there were storms passing through it; in vain I tried to imitate the sweet gaiety, the serene and equable spir...