Summary
Shirley, Charlotte Brontë's second published novel, is a groundbreaking work of social commentary set against the backdrop of industrial unrest in early 19th-century England. Written in 1849, the book explores themes of women's independence, class struggle, and romantic relationships through the contrasting lives of its two heroines—the shy Caroline Helstone and the vivacious heiress Shirley Keeldar. Though less famous than Brontë's Jane Eyre, Shirley is notable for its realistic portrayal of the era's social and economic upheaval, as well as its feminist undertones.
Plot
Set in Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars, Shirley follows two contrasting heroines and their romantic entanglements. Caroline Helstone, a shy young woman living with her uncle, falls in love with mill owner Robert Moore. However, Robert keeps his distance due to financial concerns. Caroline's life changes when she meets Shirley Keeldar, a wealthy and independent heiress who moves to the area.
As labor unrest grows due to economic hardship, Robert faces threats from laid-off workers angry about his new machinery. Caroline becomes ill over her belief that Robert and Shirley will marry. Mrs. Pryor, Shirley's former governess, nurses Caroline and reveals she is actually Caroline's long-lost mother. Meanwhile, Shirley rejects two suitors and has an ambivalent relationship with Louis Moore, Robert's brother and her former tutor.
Robert proposes to Shirley for her wealth but is rejected. After leaving town humiliated, he returns with a new outlook and is shot. While recovering, he reconciles with Caroline, and the two become engaged. Shirley agrees to marry Louis, despite their difference in status. The novel concludes with the two couples married.
Themes
Industrial revolution and social change
Women's roles and independence in 19th century society
Class conflict and labor unrest
Love and marriage
Family relationships and secrets
Economic hardship during wartime
Personal growth and self-discovery
Setting
Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley is set in the early 19th century, specifically during the years 1811 to 1812. This tumultuous period in English history was marked by the Napoleonic Wars, economic unrest, and social upheaval. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, with its accompanying labor disputes and technological advancements that threatened traditional ways of life.
The novel's geographical setting is Yorkshire, a county in northern England known for its rugged landscapes and industrial heritage. Brontë vividly depicts the stark contrast between the region's pastoral beauty and the harsh realities of its growing textile industry.
Several specific locations in Shirley are inspired by real places in Yorkshire. The house called Briarmains in the novel is based on the Red House in Gomersal, while Fieldhead is modeled after Oakwell Hall, an Elizabethan manor house. The attack on Robert Moore's mill, a pivotal event in the story, draws inspiration from the actual Luddite attack on Cartwright's Mill in Rawfolds, Liversedge. These real-world connections ground Brontë's fictional narrative in the authentic social and economic landscape of early 19th-century Yorkshire.
Characters
Caroline Helstone: A shy, thoughtful young woman who lives with her uncle. She falls in love with Robert Moore but fears her feelings are unrequited.
Shirley Keeldar: A wealthy, independent heiress who becomes friends with Caroline. She is vivacious and outspoken, defying many societal expectations for women.
Robert Moore: A mill owner facing financial difficulties. He is determined to save his business, sometimes at the expense of his workers' well-being.
Louis Moore: Robert's brother and Shirley's former tutor. He harbors secret feelings for Shirley.
Reverend Matthewson Helstone: Caroline's stern uncle, who has little understanding of women's emotional needs.
Mrs. Pryor: Shirley's governess, who is revealed to be Caroline's long-lost mother.
Hortense Moore: Robert and Louis' sister who teaches French to Caroline.
Joe Scott: Robert Moore's loyal foreman at the mill.
William Farren: A hardworking mill employee who represents the struggles of the working class.
The Three Curates: Minor characters—Peter Malone, Joseph Donne, and David Sweeting— representing different aspects of the clergy.
Quick facts
Shirley was Charlotte Brontë's second published novel, following the success of Jane Eyre.
Brontë used the pseudonym “Currer Bell” when originally publishing the novel.
Shirley is set against the backdrop of the Luddite uprisings in the Yorkshire textile industry from 1811 to 1812.
Brontë wrote much of the novel while dealing with the recent deaths of three of her siblings—her sisters and fellow authors, Emily and Anne, and her brother Branwell.
The character of Shirley Keeldar was reportedly based on what Brontë imagined her sister Emily would have been like if born into a wealthy family.
Shirley addresses themes of women's roles in society, industrialization, and class conflict in early 19th-century England.
The fictional town where much of the novel takes place is believed to be based on the Spen Valley area, which has since become known as “Shirley country” to locals and literary enthusiasts alike.
Shirley features omniscient third-person narration rather than, like Jane Eyre, being narrated in the first-person by the titular protagonist.
The character of Caroline Helstone may have been loosely based on Brontë's sister Anne or her friend Ellen Nussey.
Shirley has had limited adaptations. A silent film version was made in 1922, and BBC Radio 4 broadcast a dramatization in 2014.
The novel's popularity led to “Shirley,” traditionally used for males or as a surname, becoming a common first name for girls.
About the Author
Charlotte Brontë, born in 1816 in Yorkshire, England, was the eldest of the three famous Brontë sisters whose novels became classics of English literature. Growing up in the remote parsonage of Haworth where her father was curate, Charlotte and her siblings created elaborate imaginary worlds that fueled their creativity. In 1846, after briefly working as a teacher and governess, Charlotte published a collection of poems with her sisters, Emily and Anne, under male pseudonyms. Her literary career took flight.
Charlotte's defining work, the novel Jane Eyre, was published in 1847. Written from a first-person perspective, it tells the story of an orphan who endures hardships, becomes a governess, and falls in love with her enigmatic employer. The novel's combination of romance, gothic elements, and psychological depth was groundbreaking for its time. Charlotte followed this success with Shirley in 1849 and Villette in 1853, further cementing her literary reputation.
While her professional life flourished, Charlotte suffered profound personal losses, with her brother and two sisters dying within an eight-month period between 1848 and 1849. In 1854, she married her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nicholls, finding brief happiness before her untimely death in 1855 at age 38, likely due to complications from pregnancy. Charlotte's final novel, The Professor, was published posthumously in 1857. Charlotte Brontë's legacy as a pioneering novelist who gave voice to women's inner lives continues to resonate with readers around the world.
