Emily Brontë's No Coward Soul and the Need for a Religious Literary Criticism
Introduction
Emily Brontë's works have traditionally been viewed as rooted in a religious foundation.
Contrast between historical views of Brontë as a mystic and contemporary views labeling her as a heretic.
The shift in perception parallels a broader cultural shift from religious to secular interpretations within literary studies.
Historical Context and Perception
19th-century views often linked Brontë's work to religious experiences and mysticism.
Comparisons to mystics like John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila were common.
Changes in interpretation arose due to cultural shifts initiated by the Victorians themselves.
Secularism and Literary Criticism
Secular interpretations often overlook or misconstrue the religious dimensions of 19th-century literature.
Advocates argue for a religious literary criticism to address this gap, integrating older styles of criticism with contemporary scholarship.
Challenges of Religious Literary Criticism
Reluctance to impose personal beliefs and the complexity of religious life in the 19th century.
Historical skepticism of religious criticism as biased or potentially destructive.
The renewed interest in religious discourse in literary criticism, exemplified by works of Derrida and Eagleton.
Religious Criticism in Brontë Studies
The need for a religious literary criticism in understanding Brontë’s work, particularly Wuthering Heights and her poems.
No Coward Soul often misinterpreted due to modern secular biases.
Brontë's use of mysticism and spiritual themes in her writing.
No Coward Soul
Written by Emily Brontë in 1846, this poem is her only direct address to God.
Themes of the poem include faith, immortality, and the mystic's union with the divine.
Misinterpretations see the poem as a rejection of religion due to its critique of organized religion.
Misinterpretations and Secular Assumptions
Critics often misread religious expressions as self-deification or rejection of faith.
The need to understand traditional religious language and symbolism to interpret Brontë's work accurately.
Conclusion
A call for a revised approach to literary criticism that recognizes the interplay between secular and religious epistemologies.
An emphasis on understanding Victorian literature within its historical and cultural contexts, respecting its religious dimensions.
Key References and Influences
Various scholars and theorists like Charles Taylor and Hans Georg Gadamer emphasize the importance of integrating religious perspectives into literary criticism.
Works by Derrida and Eagleton highlight the intellectual gap left by dismissing religious discourse.
Importance of Re-integrating Religion in Literary Studies
Acknowledging the religious undertones in Brontë's work provides a fuller understanding of her literature.
Encourages a broader and more inclusive framework for interpreting 19th-century literature.
Works Cited and Further Reading
Extensive references to scholars and critics who have contributed to both the secular and religious analysis of Brontë's works.
The need for continued exploration of religious themes in literature to enrich our understanding of historical and contemporary texts.