Tag: Charlotte Bronte
-
Jane Eyre and tuberculosis
Afsheen Zafar Rawalpindi, Pakistan I had just put down my pen after the last patient left the room. She somehow reminded me of the Brontë sisters. She had been diagnosed with tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis after a biopsy but otherwise seemed to be in perfect health. Apparently she was not much disturbed by the diagnosis…
-
Why “nurse” Grace Poole is the greatest puzzle in Jane Eyre
Sarah WiseLondon, United Kingdom “My mind had been running on Grace Poole — that living enigma, that mystery of mysteries,” Jane Eyre admits to herself, one evening at Thornfield Hall. Charlotte Bronte’s readers’ minds also run on Grace Poole throughout the Thornfield chapters of the novel — from the first “mirthless” laugh that housekeeper Mrs.…
-
Reason vs. emotion in Charlotte Brontë’s Shirley
Mila WhiteleyFairfax, Virginia, United States Charlotte Brontë’s 1849 Shirley is often considered a “Condition of England” novel, due to its exploration of various social, political, and religious issues of the time. One of the most prevalent themes throughout the book is the role of women (and by extension the role of men) in society. During…
-
Remembering Charlotte Brontë
Vasudha ChandraSydney, Australia This year marks the 200th birthday of celebrated author Charlotte Brontë. Born April 21st, 1816, she lived for most of her life in the village of Haworth.1 The Brontës’ house was at the top of a hill, above the church and backing onto the moor.2 It was surrounded on two sides by…
-
Literature in medical school: why, how, and if
Tabitha Sparks Montreal, Canada Photography by studioapril1982 Do literature courses in medical school make better doctors? Will the doctors be more sensitive, display more empathy? If so, how is this achieved? And what is the evidence it does so? Since 1980 many educators have supported the integration of humanities coursework into medical school curricula.…