Shirley

«Shirley» is a passionate description of the conflict between generations, genders, and social classes, where love stories are closely intertwined with harsh reality. The manufacturer Robert Moore is about to marry the wealthy heiress Shirley, although his heart belongs to the penniless Caroline, while Shirley herself is in love with Robert's brother, a destitute teacher. Will the ending be happy?
Charlotte Brontë wrote «Shirley» during difficult days for her: at this time, her brother Branwell and two sisters — Emily and Anne — died of tuberculosis. The novel was published in 1849 under the pseudonym Currer Bell. The book's tumultuous success forced the author to reveal her true identity and attracted the attention of literary circles in London. In her novel, Charlotte referred to the beginning of the century, to the Luddite uprisings — participants in spontaneous protests against the introduction of machines during the Industrial Revolution in England.