E X T E N S I O N WHO WAS EMILY BRONT ? Look at the portrait of the three Bront sisters painted by their brother Patrick Branwell in 1834 and read the description of Emily by Charlotte s friend, Ellen (Reminiscences, 1871). Which one is Emily? Emily had acquired a lithesome1, graceful figure. She was the tallest of the house, except for her father. Her hair, which was as naturally beautiful as Charlotte s, was in the same unbecoming2 frizz3, and there was a want of complexion4. She had very beautiful eyes, kind, kindling5 liquid eyes whose colour changed from dark gray to dark blue, but she did not often look at you; she was too reserved. Emily s sister Charlotte described her in this way: In externals, she was an unobtrusive6 woman, whose perfectly secluded life gave her retiring7 manners and habits, but in Emily s nature the extremes of vigour and simplicity seemed to meet. Under an unsophisticated culture and an unpretending8 outside, lay a secret power and fire that might have inflamed the brain and kindled9 the veins of a hero; but she had no worldly wisdom; her powers were unadapted to the practical business of life: her will was not very flexible, and it generally opposed her interest. Her temper was magnanimous, but warm and sudden; her spirit altogether unbending10. 1. lithesome: (old-fashioned) tall and slim with graceful movements. 2. unbecoming: it did not suit her. 3. frizz: hair that was very tightly curled. 4. want of complexion: (old fashioned) lack of colour in her face, meaning she was very pale. 5. kindling (eyes): (eyes) which lit up and created interest and emotion. 6. unobtrusive: she did not attract unnecessary attention. 7. retiring: preferring not to spend time with other people. 8. unpretending: unpretentious, not trying to appear more important or intelligent than you are. 9. kindled: stimulated. 10. unbending: unwilling to change ideas and opinions. 17