3. Shirley and Villette—Shirley: First novel by a woman dealing with the industrial problem. Its realism. Character of Shirley contrasted with that of Jane Eyre. Villette: Local color. Character of Madame Beck.
4. Her Personal Experience as Reflected in Her Novels—The moors, boarding-school experiences, life in Brussels, the manufacturing region of England.
Books to Consult—Mrs. Gaskell: Life of Charlotte Brontë. T. W. Reid: Life of Charlotte Brontë. Clement Shorter: Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle.
The life of the three remarkable sisters, known at the time as Currer, Acton and Ellis Bell, is full of deep interest. Illustrate the program with readings from Charlotte's Jane Eyre, Emily's Wuthering Heights, and Anne's Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Read a few of their verses also. Contrast Charlotte with Jane Austen. Close with several brief selections from Mrs. Gaskell's Life of Charlotte.
IV—THACKERAY
1. The Story of His Life—School days at the Charterhouse. Cambridge. Study of art abroad. The Constitutional. Newspaper work. His marriage and his daughters. His first novel. His lectures. The English Humorist, and later, The Four Georges. Visits to America. Attempt at political life. Editor of Cornhill Magazine. Read Thackeray's Death, in Spare Hours, by Dr. John Brown.
2. Vanity Fair—The novel without a hero. Becky Sharp: intellect minus heart; Amelia Sedley: heart minus intellect. Interest of the historical setting. Read from the Duchess of Richmond's ball.
3. Henry Esmond, and The Virginians—Henry Esmond: its place as one of the few great novels. The historical setting. Character of Beatrix. Is the estimate of the Duke of Marlborough just? The Virginians: connection with Henry Esmond. Is the American color correct? Reading: scene between Beatrix and the Pretender.
4. Pendennis, and The Newcomes—Pendennis: London newspaper life. Compare the characters of Laura and Helen. The Newcomes: most popular of the novels. Theme: the unhappy marriage. The character of Colonel Newcome. Reading: the Charterhouse and the death of Colonel Newcome.
5. Thackeray's Place in the Literary World—His instant success as a novelist. His friendships among men of letters. His warmth of affection. Discussion of his satire. His place as social preacher. Is Taine's estimate of him just?