Charlotte joined Sidgwick family as governess

Charlotte Brontë joined the Sidgwick family as a governess at Stone Gappe, tasked with educating their son, John Benson Sidgwick. Her experience in this role was marked by challenges, particularly due to the behavior of her pupil. Charlotte described John as unruly, recalling an incident where he threw a Bible at her. This particular event is noted for its potential influence on her literary work, specifically the scene in 'Jane Eyre' where John Reed throws a book at Jane. The dynamics of her employment were complicated by her feelings of being treated more like a servant than a member of the household, which contributed to her overall dissatisfaction with the position. This experience not only shaped her views on education and authority but also provided material that would later inform her writing, particularly in her exploration of themes related to social class and personal autonomy. The role of a governess was often fraught with difficulties, as these women were expected to maintain a delicate balance between authority and subservience, a tension that Charlotte experienced firsthand during her time with the Sidgwick family. Her tenure as a governess, while challenging, played a crucial role in her development as a writer, allowing her to draw from her personal experiences in her fictional narratives.