In Knoxville and Henderson

Some Brontë alerts for today, February 3:

In Knoxville, TN:

Brontë Society: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, Panera Bread, 4855 Kingston Pike.
"Themes, Sources, Evolution from Childhood Influencing the Writing of the Brontës."
Info: 865-681-7261 or email BronteUSA@gmail.com. (Knoxville News Sentinel)

In Henderson, NC:

Perry Memorial Library
Let’s Talk About It : “Mad Women in the Attic.”

Let’s Talk About It is one of the library’s most popular offerings, according to library Director Patti McAnally. This year’s topic was picked by participants in last year’s series. The North Carolina Humanities Council provides all the books and helps bring scholars to discuss each novel. It’s partially funded with a grant from the N.C. Humanities Council, in collaboration with the N.C. Center for the Book —a program of the State Library of North Carolina — and the Friends of the Perry Memorial Library.
McAnally said bringing the program to Vance County year after year was an easy choice.
“There are many benefits to the program,” she said via email. “The books chose offer different perspectives on the topic and may expose participants to new authors. With the help of the scholar, participants can explore and discuss important aspects with others in the community. The series offers both educational and social opportunities.”
Each session will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Room at the library and will include discussion led by a scholar and refreshments. This year’s schedule is Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” on Feb. 3, “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys on Feb. 17, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” on March 3, “Surfacing” by Margaret Atwood on March 17, and Toni Morrison’s “Sula” on March 31. The first two books — “Jane Eyre” and “Wide Sargasso Sea” — will be available for pick up at the library Monday, Jan. 12.
The N.C. Humanities Council describes the series as one that delves into what happens when women don’t conform to gender norms; perhaps, as the organization’s website says, they are branded mad and locked away in an attic — much like poor Bertha in Brontë’s 1847 work. (The Daily Dispatch)