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Best Poems of the Brontë Sisters

emily brontë anne brontë charlotte brontë candace ward

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"In this collection of their poetry, published under gender-concealing pseudonyms, we get an intimate glimpse of their fears, hopes, faith, and desires." — Haunted Library
"This collection is not only for fans of the Brontë Sisters and classic rhyming poetry but also for readers that crave heartbreaking gothic angst." — Eastside Middle School
Among the most talented siblings in English literary history, the Brontë sisters are best remembered for their Emily's Wuthering Heights, Charlotte's Jane Eyre, and Anne's Tenant of Wildfell Hall, among other works. It is less well known that the sisters also composed a considerable amount of fine poetry.
This volume contains forty-seven poems by all three sisters. Selections include Charlotte's "Presentiment," "Passion," two poems on the deaths of her sisters, and six more. There are twenty-three poems by Emily (considered the best poet of the three), including "Faith and Despondency" and "No Coward Soul Is Mine." The works of all three sisters share the qualities of intelligence, awareness, and heartfelt emotion, expressed in simple, highly readable verse. Gathered in this handy, inexpensive collection, the poems represent a superb introduction to a lesser-known aspect of the Brontës' literary art.

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1846

This edition

Format
64 pages, Paperback
Published
January 15, 2016 by Dover Publications
ISBN
9780486295299
ASIN
048629529X
Language
English

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About the author

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emily brontë

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Emily Jane Brontë was an English novelist and poet, now best remembered for her only novel Wuthering Heights, a classic of English literature. Emily was the second eldest of the three surviving Brontë sisters, being younger than Charlotte Brontë and older than Anne Brontë. She published under the masculine pen name Ellis Bell.

Emily was born in Thornton, near Bradford in Yorkshire to Patrick Brontë and Maria Branwell. She was the younger sister of Charlotte Brontë and the fifth of six children. In 1824, the family moved to Haworth, where Emily's father was perpetual curate, and it was in these surroundings that their literary oddities flourished. In childhood, after the death of their mother, the three sisters and their brother Patrick Branwell Brontë created imaginary lands (Angria, Gondal, Gaaldine, Oceania), which were featured in stories they wrote. Little of Emily's work from this period survived, except for poems spoken by characters (The Brontës' Web of Childhood, Fannie Ratchford, 1941).

In 1842, Emily commenced work as a governess at Miss Patchett's Ladies Academy at Law Hill School, near Halifax, leaving after about six months due to homesickness. Later, with her sister Charlotte, she attended a private school in Brussels. They later tried to open up a school at their home, but had no pupils.

It was the discovery of Emily's poetic talent by Charlotte that led her and her sisters, Charlotte and Anne, to publish a joint collection of their poetry in 1846, Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. To evade contemporary prejudice against female writers, the Brontë sisters adopted androgynous first names. All three retained the first letter of their first names: Charlotte became Currer Bell, Anne became Acton Bell, and Emily became Ellis Bell. In 1847, she published her only novel, Wuthering Heights, as two volumes of a three volume set (the last volume being Agnes Grey by her sister Anne). Its innovative structure somewhat puzzled critics. Although it received mixed reviews when it first came out, the book subsequently became an English literary classic. In 1850, Charlotte edited and published Wuthering Heights as a stand-alone novel and under Emily's real name.

Like her sisters, Emily's health had been weakened by the harsh local climate at home and at school. She caught a chill during the funeral of her brother in September, and, having refused all medical help, died on December 19, 1848 of tuberculosis, possibly caught from nursing her brother. She was interred in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels family capsule, Haworth, West Yorkshire, England.

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 59 votes)
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59 reviews All reviews
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Kelvets
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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These girls have never known peace.

Their lives are filled with turmoil and chaos.

They have grown up in a world where conflict and violence are the norm.

Every day is a struggle for survival, a battle against the forces that seek to tear them apart.

They have seen their families torn asunder, their homes destroyed, and their dreams shattered.

Yet, despite all the hardships they have endured, these girls remain resilient.

They refuse to give up hope, to let the darkness consume them.

Instead, they continue to fight, to strive for a better future, a future where peace and harmony prevail.

Their courage and determination are an inspiration to us all, a reminder that even in the face of the most difficult circumstances, we can find the strength within ourselves to keep going.

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SleepyGogo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I really didn't think these were very good.

They are almost all in the same pentameter, which means that the rhythm and meter of each line are very similar.

This makes the whole piece sound quite repetitive quickly, and it doesn't hold my attention for very long.

I much prefer variety in poetry.

I like to see different meters, rhythms, and stanza forms used to create a more interesting and engaging piece.

When everything is the same, it can become quite dull and uninteresting.

I think that poets should strive to be more creative and experimental with their work, and not just rely on the same old formulas.

By doing this, they can create something truly unique and memorable that will stand the test of time.
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DefinitelyAWeeb
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Best Poems of the Brontë Sisters is, as one might expect, a compilation of poems penned by the remarkable Brontë sisters. The poems within this volume were initially published in a book under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Overall, I found the experience of reading these poems to be quite enjoyable. However, it cannot be ignored that there is a prevalent theme of death throughout. In fact, I dare say that I could count on one hand (using unary notation, no less!) the number of poems in this fifty-page collection that do not revolve around the concept of death. Nevertheless, if you are a devotee of any of the Brontë sisters, this collection is still a worthy read. It offers a unique insight into their creative minds and the emotions that they so skillfully expressed through their poetry.

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StarmineJam
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have only read one novel by each sister so far. However, based on those, I would rank them as follows: Emily, Charlotte, and then Anne, who trails by quite a ways. I didn't expect to like Anne's poetry since I didn't find her prose very poetic. But to my surprise, she took me by surprise.

Charlotte's poems were, I don't know... annoying. Even the few I liked were very preachy.

I agree with the majority opinion that Emily's poetry is the best. Given her intense style, it's probably not surprising that I loved some of her poems and others did absolutely nothing for me.

I would love to memorize her "To Imagination." Here's a taste from the middle of the poem: "But, thou art ever there, to bring / The hovering vision back, and breathe / New glories o’er the blighted spring, / And call a lovelier Life from Death, / And whisper, with a voice divine, / Of real worlds, as bright as thine."

My favorite of Emily's was probably "The Night Wind." Like most of her poems, it's a beautifully woven little story, so you have to read the whole thing. It's haunting.

Anne's poetry was the most consistently enjoyable for me, and also, to my surprise, the saddest.

I liked all of them, but had two favorites. "Past Days," which begins: "‘Tis strange to think, there was a time / When mirth was not an empty name, / When laughter really cheered the heart, / And frequent smiles unbidden came, / And tears of grief would only flow / In sympathy for others’ woe."

The book ends with Anne's last poem, "Last Lines," with a note from Charlotte at the end: "These lines written, the desk was closed, the pen laid aside – for ever." So tragic, the brevity of their lives.

Even though this style of poetry is not my favorite, I loved spending more time with the Brontё sisters through their verse. It's well worth trying.
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Norstor
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Charlotte Bronte once said, "The bringing of our little book was hard work. As was to be expected, neither we nor our poems were at all wanted."

When I delved into their poetry, I was truly puzzled as to why this was the case. The Bells' poetry is nothing short of marvelous.

For those unfamiliar, this collection marked the occasion for the adoption of their pen names Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.

Anne's poems, in line with the prose styles, are composed more carefully and lack the drama of some of Emily's works, such as "A Reminiscence." On the other hand, Emily's poems are more impassioned, vividly evoking a sense of feelings and landscapes, as seen in "Remembrance."

Among them all, I find Emily's poetry to be the most outstanding. One stanza in "The Teacher’s Monologue" beautifully captures the homesickness that Charlotte (and perhaps her sisters too) felt for Haworth: "Sweet dreams of home my heart may fill / That home where I am known and loved."

This collection offers a deeper understanding of the Bronte sisters. Although their works are often emotional and heartfelt, filled with a sense of loneliness and solitude, they are also tinged with sadness and melancholy, yet not miserable in any way. My personal favorite is Emily Bronte’s "The Caged Bird."
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TheBigKaboom
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Good poetry abounds in these pages.

It is truly fascinating to peruse the poems penned by all three sisters and draw comparisons between their subject matter and poetic styles.

My personal favorite from the book is Emily's "The Prisoner," which makes a powerful and impressive statement regarding the social status of women during that particular time period.

The way Emily portrays the struggles and limitations faced by women is both poignant and thought-provoking.

It offers a unique glimpse into the lives and experiences of women in a bygone era.

This collection is highly recommended, especially to my poet friends.

They are sure to appreciate the artistry and creativity on display in these beautiful poems.

Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging read, this book is well worth your time.

It will transport you to another world and leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the power of poetry.
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Green_Gecko
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Just ok Poems.

I guess you just have to understand poetry. It's not always easy to truly appreciate the beauty and depth that lies within the lines of a poem. Poems can be like little mysteries, waiting to be解开.

Some people seem to have a natural affinity for poetry, while others may struggle to make sense of it. But with a little effort and an open mind, anyone can begin to understand and enjoy the art of poetry.

Poems can express a wide range of emotions, from joy and love to sadness and despair. They can also paint vivid pictures in our minds, transporting us to different times and places.

So the next time you come across a poem, don't be too quick to dismiss it. Take a moment to read it carefully, think about its meaning, and let the words wash over you. You might just be surprised at what you discover.

Maybe you'll find that a poem speaks to you on a deep and personal level, or maybe it'll simply inspire you to see the world in a new way. Either way, poetry has the power to touch our hearts and souls, and that's something truly special.

So keep an open heart and an open mind, and let the beauty of poetry enrich your life.
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Tragic
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Beautiful, but they give me the creeps, especially those ones by Emily. The beauty they possess is almost otherworldly, with their delicate features and graceful forms. However, there is something lurking beneath that beauty that sends shivers down my spine. It's as if there is a hidden darkness within them, a secret that they are keeping from the world.


Maybe it's the way Emily portrays them, with a touch of mystery and a hint of the unknown. Or perhaps it's my own imagination running wild, filling in the blanks with my deepest fears and anxieties. Either way, these beautiful things have a hold on me that I can't quite explain.


I find myself drawn to them, yet at the same time, I am repelled. I want to know more about them, to uncover their secrets and understand their true nature. But I'm also afraid of what I might discover. Will it be something so可怕 that it will haunt me forever? Or will it be a revelation that will change my perception of beauty and the world around me?

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