English & Literature

Is Bronte anti-industrialism in Shirley? My paper must say no... how do I defend this argument?

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The protagonist, Shirley, inherits a mill and later becomes involved with one of the workers. This would seem to suggest that Bronte is saying that there can be a marriage of industry to humanity and that nothing needs to be lost when the two come together. If Bronte had meant to convey an anti-industrialistic theme, then one would think that she would have had a more 'Dickinson' feel to it.

That having been offered as an argument....most experts agree that it IS anti-industrialist. Good Luck.