Meeting Charlotte Brontë

Some of you probably know that reading Jane Eyre (as well as The Secret Garden) at a young age spurred my early love of British literature—which is at least part of the reason I now write fiction set in England. You may also recall reading a post here a few years ago about my memorable visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire where Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë wrote their enduring novels. (If you missed it, you can read that post here.)

A few days ago, I added something new to my Brontë experience. I talked to Charlotte Brontë herself.

Ok, not really, of course. But I had the pleasure of hearing from (and talking to) an actress who convincingly portrays that authoress and who has obviously done a TON of research into the Brontë family and their various histories and experiences.

Laura Rocklyn is an actress, writer, and first-person historical interpreter. She disappeared into the character of Charlotte Brontë and brought her to vivid life through her one-woman show called, Charlotte Brontë: To do More and Better Things. Here’s a description:

Rocklyn transports us to 1853. Charlotte has recently published Villette, her third, and most personal, novel. The remarkable writer reflects on her extraordinary family, unconventional education, and the life-changing experience in Brussels that inspired her most recent novel. Learn about the difficulties and unexpected opportunities that literary fame has brought about in Charlottes’ life as she shares the hardships faced by single women who attempt to make a living and, possibly, a name for themselves as authors.”

-Jane Austen Society of North America, Minnesota chapter

Laura gave a stellar performance in a monologue dramatizing a specific period in Brontë’s life, but she also interacted with the audience while in character, so we were able to ask her questions like, “How did you feel about your first novel (The Professor) struggling to find a publisher? Which of your novels is your favorite?” And to listen, rapt, to her thoughtful, compelling answers, all delivered in a charming Yorkshire accent.

The performance was given over Zoom during a recent meeting of the MN chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America. (And yes, I did find it rather ironic that Miss Brontë was addressing Janeites when she was not a fan of Miss Austen’s work. Thankfully, Laura herself is—in fact, I first met her at JASNA’s Annual General Meeting, and she also portrays Jane Austen and other historical figures as well.)

Laura will give additional performances of her one-woman show to other JASNA chapters. That’s one good thing about the current prevalence of Zoom meetings. Anyone from anywhere can attend, and often for little or no cost. Follow Laura Rocklyn for announcements of upcoming presentations and perhaps you, too, can meet Charlotte Brontë, or at least, the next best thing this side of a heavenly-reunion. 😊

Are you a Brontë fan as well? Is there an author from the past you would like to meet?

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Julie Klassen

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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