The Strange Case of Miss Eyre and Mrs Rochester

Today The Times gives us a lesson on how to be sexist:

Teachers may also make curriculum choices that appeal to girls but are less engaging for boys, such as studying Jane Eyre in GCSE English literature instead of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. (Greg Hurst)

Welwyn Hatfield Times discusses the filming locations of the new adaptation of The Secret Garden.

“For the interior of Misselthwaite we wanted a big, empty, latent, haunted space for Mary to step into,” reveals [director Marc] Munden.

“That’s something that you see in stories like Jane Eyre and Rebecca.” (Alan Davies)

A columnist from La Nación (Argentina) writes about Manderley from Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca.

Desde la agria relación de Laurence Olivier con Joan Fontaine, a quien hubiese querido ver reemplazada por Vivien Leigh -Fontaine fue aislada del resto del elenco por el director para "ayudarla" a componer su primer protagónico- hasta el fundamental cambio en el desenlace del guion para no infringir el código Hays, que no permitía que un homicida como de Winter pudiera vivir el resto de sus días en el exilio junto a su segunda esposa (quien lo ayuda a encubrir el crimen) la historia de Rebeca es bastante más complicada que una reinvención de Jane Eyre invadida por el inconsciente de Thornfield Hall. Como en su contemporánea El ciudadano [Citizen Kane], la historia de sus ocupantes se descubre a través de un inquietante recorrido por sus dominios (Xanadu, en el caso de Kane). Es difícil desentrañar quién posee a quién. (Dolores Graña) (Translation)

The Observer looks 'into literature’s iconic influence on musical composition and lyrical invention'.

A musical pioneer, Kate Bush has inspired many from Julia Holter to FKA Twigs to Lady Gaga. From her eccentric music videos to unusual lyrics, Bush’s art pop persona makes her one of the most interesting performers to emerge from the 1970s. Deriving inspiration from numerous sources, Bush frequently delves into literature for ideas.

Bush based her first great hit, “Wuthering Heights,” on the Gothic Emily Brontë novel of the same name. In the song “Wuthering Heights,” Bush embodies the character of Cathy. She sings, “Heathcliff, it’s me, I’m Cathy” and explains Cathy’s position with a tragic request, “I’ve come home, I’m so cold / Let me in through your window.”

In the novel, Cathy’s tortured soul endlessly wanders the moors even in death, hopelessly searching for a way to make amends. Bush’s ability to convey this narrative through a few chorus lines exemplifies the blend of literature and music; it is the same story with a different presentation.

It is also important to acknowledge how Bush sings this song. She does not sing softly but presents high-pitched, screeching vocals. These screeching vocals evoke the same feeling that Brontë’s Gothic writing style does. Both convey the dark desperation of the subject matter.

Bush’s lyrics present a clear connection to the novel, while her musical style subtly exposes Cathy’s tortured soul. (Annika Suderburg)

Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights is also one of seven 'songs that give off major fall vibes' according to Culturess.

7. “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush

Fall is the perfect time to start catching up on all those unread books on your bookshelf, and if you’re a fan of classics like Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, then the song of the same name by Kate Bush will be perfect for you!

The British songstress was inspired by the novel, and the track is widely considered one of the best of all time. It’s sung from the perspective of Wuthering Heights character Catherine Earnshaw, pleading at Heathcliff’s window to be let in. It’s Gothic and filled with drama, and of course, Kate Bush is an icon. Do you really need another reason to add this one to the playlist? (Marco Saveriano)

AnneBrontë.org has posted the second part of a virtual tour of the Anne Brontë exhibition at the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Busy Mum Lifestyle has posted 'A complete guide to visiting Brontë Country'.