The Bronte Sisters 1979

Siblings' stoic upbringing and shared ambitions

In a small English village, four siblings—Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne—grow up under a stern father and a distant aunt. They rely on each other for companionship while nurturing artistic dreams in relative isolation. Branwell begins to pursue painting seriously, setting the tone for their intertwined futures.

Branwell's artistic drive and Leyland friendship

Branwell's talent brightens as he paints a self-portrait featuring his sisters, signaling his wish for a professional career. He forms a friendship with Leyland, a sculptor, hinting at influences and temptations to come. The family watches his ambitions with a mix of pride and concern.

Charlotte's Belgian plans and departure

Charlotte, more ambitious than her siblings, convinces their aunt to fund her French studies in Belgium. With the aunt's money and permission, she and Emily travel to Brussels to widen their horizons and hope to someday open a school back home. She imagines returning empowered and ready to shape her own path.

Brussels life: love and school pressures

In Brussels, Charlotte's heart is drawn to her married teacher Monsieur Heger, a romance that remains unreciprocated. Emily endures life at a Catholic school where she is teased for being English and Protestant, yet she copes by playing the piano. The sisters negotiate cultural friction while nurturing their artistic dreams.

Anne's English governess life

Back in England, Anne finds employment as a governess, taking charge of a wealthy family's daughter. She maintains her own quiet, disciplined life while watching her siblings chase distant goals. The distance between the sisters adds strain to their close bond.

Aunt's death and homecoming

While the sisters are away, their aunt dies, shocking the family. The loss forces Emily and Charlotte to return home and reconsider their plans. Branwell, left to confront the grief, bears the weight of family tragedy on his own.

Solace at the Black Bull Inn

Back home, Emily helps Branwell cope with misery by taking him to the Black Bull Inn, the town's social hub. There they seek conversation and companionship as Branwell searches for direction. The inn becomes a quiet catalyst for his later troubles.

Charlotte's return to Brussels for unrequited love

Lovesick, Charlotte cannot stay away and returns to Brussels to pursue Monsieur Heger, only to confront the cold reality of unreciprocated affection. Her longing highlights the personal costs of pursuing creative dreams abroad. The family continues to wrestle with distance and desire across borders.

Branwell's tutoring job and precarious stability

With Anne's encouragement, Branwell finds a steady job as the tutor to Edmund Robinson, the son of a wealthy English family. The stern Mr. Robinson's dignity often humiliates Branwell, testing his resolve. The tutoring position provides a fragile yet real foothold amid mounting pressures.

An ill-fated affair and family fallout

Mrs. Robinson begins a flirtatious, ill-fated affair with Branwell, complicating household dynamics. Anne discovers the relationship, prompting her to quit her job and return home. The scandal deepens emotional wounds and destabilizes Branwell's already fragile life.

Branwell's decline and a fateful night

Branwell's drinking and opium use accelerate his decline. A windy night ends with a fire in his bedroom, and his sisters must rescue him from the flames. The blaze marks a turning point, foreshadowing the early collapse of his promising life.

Discovery and publishing of Emily's poems

Charlotte secretly searches Emily's room and discovers her poems, moved by their raw poetry. She persuades the reluctant Emily to allow their publication. Soon the sisters publish poems, and later each writes a novel, launching the Brontë literary rebellion.

London literary world and pen-name intrigue

The public's intrigue over the true authors behind Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell drives Charlotte and Anne to London to meet publisher George Smith. Their presence in the literary circle signals a turning point for their careers. The London scene amplifies their fame and sets the stage for broader publication.