FEMININE INSIGHTS INTO VICTORIAN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: CHARLOTTE BRONTË’S SHIRLEY AND VILLETTE
FEMININE INSIGHTS INTO VICTORIAN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: CHARLOTTE BRONTË’S SHIRLEY AND VILLETTE

Summary/Abstract: The paper investigates how the lack of a secure attachment affects the behaviour and relationships of the feminine characters in Shirley and Villette. We talk about absent parents, parents who do not offer their love and time, or parents who died and left traumas in their children's lives. We analyze Caroline, a young girl raised by an aggressive father, and her mother leaving her at an early age, and we show why the connection to a caregiver is essential for the child's well-being. Mrs. Beck’s three daughters have a physically present mother, but she is not willing to offer them love and support. She does not kiss or hug them and does not establish limits for their behaviour, typical features of parenthood for the 19th century, where nannies usually replace the parents. Throughout the paper we better understand Victorian society, but also how important is a healthy and close relationship between children and parents in early childhood. A secure attachment during childhood is the one that makes the child feel self-confident later in his life and gives him/her the balance for healthy future relationships, connection is the cure for trauma and the key to well-being.

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