Emily's comb

The Telegraph reviews Javier Marías's Written Lives. The book seems to feature the story of Emily's comb.

If you need a reminder, there's a very sad anecdote - first told by Mary Duclaux - that takes place on Emily's last day. She would insist on doing everything for herself, carry on with her life as if nothing was happening. And so, after having dragged herself to a seat close to the fireplace, she was trying to brush her hair when she accidentally dropped the comb into the grate. Emily tried to pick it up but couldn't so apparently she had to summon Martha Brown, who came and took it out, half-burnt.

Nowadays there are several half-burnt combs that have this claim for fame, but of course it's uncertain which - if any, because the story is considered 'apochryphal' - is the real one. The latter part of the story - where she calls Martha brown - is the most controversial, since both Charlotte and Martha would always say that Emily accepted no help.

However, if true, this is one of those stories that give us a glimpse into the real, strong, stubborn Emily Brontë.

Categories: Books, In_the_News