The Influence of Reader Perception in 19th Century Female Authorship (1829-1847)
Gayle Walker
Abstract
This article is an exploration of Charlotte Brontë’s use of the male pseudonym “Currer Bell” in relation to the public reception of her early works. Through using the sociological model of Pierre Bourdieu and feminist ideologies, it serves to illustrate that the code by which readers interpret and value a text can be manipulated in order to achieve a deeper appreciation of literary significance and thus a wider sphere of influence.
The Influence of Reader Perception in 19th Century Female Authorship (1829-1847)
Gayle Walker
Abstract
This article is an exploration of Charlotte Brontë’s use of the male pseudonym “Currer Bell” in relation to the public reception of her early works. Through using the sociological model of Pierre Bourdieu and feminist ideologies, it serves to illustrate that the code by which readers interpret and value a text can be manipulated in order to achieve a deeper appreciation of literary significance and thus a wider sphere of influence.