“Fairy-born and human-bred” - the Brontes and 19th century fairy lore. My talk at the Australian Bronte Association, March 9, 2019



I am very privileged to have been asked to speak to the Australian Bronte Association in 2019.

When asked to nominate a topic I immediately thought of something that had fascinated me for  years: the Brontes and fairies.

There are a couple of mentions of fairy-folk in Jane Eyre, and I notice them every time I re-read it (it is a book I love).

So in March I will be teasing out the connections between the fairies and the work of the Brontes.



Fairy-born and human-bred” – the Brontes and Nineteenth century Fairy Lore

The nineteenth century saw a revival of interest in traditional mythology around fairies and all kinds of mythical little-people. Walter Mason will talk about the times that fairies and nature spirits pop up in the writings of the Brontes and how these mentions might relate to the broader social history of the fairy folk. From Oscar Wilde’s father through W. B. Yeats and the Celtic revival and on to Conan Doyle, sprites, pixies, brownies and elves have proven remarkably resilient presences in the world of literature.

March 9, 2019 at 10.30 am.

Non-members most welcome.

The Australian Brontë Association meets in Sydney at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel (near Town Hall Station) at 10:30am.

There is a meeting charge of $5 (members and non-members).

169 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000

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