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Sandton Village, a highland in West Yorkshire, England, was once the home of the famous British writer Brontë Sisters, and there are rolling hills on the outskirts of Thornton Village, which has been transformed into a green belt. It has spawned the most famous Gothic novels in literary history – Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. According to a number of media reports such as the British "Independent", the latest "14-acre real estate plan" released by the local government will have a devastating impact on the cultural heritage and natural scenery of this land. The plan also drew outrage and backlash from Brontë fans.
This area is the starting point of Britain's famous Bronte Way, a 9km route that stretches from Thornton Village to Haworth Parsonage. It includes several attractions related to the Brontë sisters. For example, Wycoller Hall, the prototype of Mr. Rochester's hermit Ferndean Hall in Jane Eyre, the top Withens moors, the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, and Oakwell Hall and Spen Valley (spen Valley) in the novel Shirley.
Highlands on the outskirts of Thornton Village (Source: The Independent)
The British newspaper The Independent quoted a planning document issued by Bradford Town Hall Council as pointing out that "The Bronte Way is located in the heart of the property development and has high cultural value." Therefore, the impact on the natural and cultural landscape of this region should be mitigated through the construction of green infrastructure. Meanwhile, according to the document, the local government will build 575 new houses in the area, and Thornton Village has been designated as one of the "local economic growth centers."
The region's former masters, the Brontë Sisters, are three well-known female writers in the history of English literature. In 1847, Charlotte's "Jane Eyre," Emily's "Wuthering Heights," and Anne's "The Tenant of The Wilderness Manor" came out almost simultaneously and caused a sensation in the literary world after the death of the three sisters. Among them, "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights" have far-reaching influences and are still considered classics in the history of literature. The three sisters lost their mother at a young age, and their lives were difficult and their lives were tortuous, which gave their works a realistic grandeur and texture. Their strong emotions and delicate brushwork make them both romantic.
In 1825, the Brontë family's two eldest daughters, Elizabeth and Maria, contracted tuberculosis at a boarding school at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire and died. The Brontë sisters were then taken home by their father and have since taught themselves at home. The natural scenery near the residence brings them emotional nourishment and free imagination. In Wuthering Heights, Emily depicts the light and shadow scenery of this barren mountain—there is "silver steam", "bare stones", and "no vegetation can grow in cracks" in this cloudy highland, all of which constitute a strong stroke in the history of literature.
The 1939 film Wuthering Heights.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Michael Stewart, a scholar at Huddersfield University who studied the Brontë sisters, expressed surprise at the government's decision. He believed that the Three Brontë sisters were the most important source of literary export in Britain after Shakespeare and Dickens, and they were renowned all over the world. Brontë Avenue is also an important tourist attraction in the city of Bradford. It can be said that the Brontë sisters and this scenic belt are exactly the relationship of mutual achievement. Therefore, this plan will not only destroy the literary value here, but also may reduce economic income.
In addition, Stewart said he will publish a new book, Walking the Invisible, in June, about the impact of the scenery outside Thornton on the Brontë sisters. These include the Brontë sisters' childhood playing in the wilderness on the outskirts, the sudden encounter with the mud gas explosion, and the near-death of the old story.
Steve Stanworth, founder of bronte Birthplace Trust, said in an interview with The Independent: "This opportunity will provoke strong opposition from environmentalists and fans of the Three Sisters. He believes that this act of the government is disrespectful to history.
Reference Links:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brontes-council-estate-wuthering-heights-b1826765.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9436041/Bronte-fans-furious-housing-estate-plan-Wuthering-Heights-moors.html
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8B%83%E6%9C%97%E7%89%B9%E4%B8%89%E5%A7%8A%E5%A6%B9
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Source: Beijing News