ACTON BELL Meaning and
Definition
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Acton Bell is a pseudonym used by the three Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, in their early writings. Originally, when the sisters were looking to publish their works, they were met with significant barriers due to the gender bias prevalent in the publishing industry during the 19th century. In order to ensure their works were given a fair chance, they decided to adopt male pen names. Acton Bell is specifically associated with Anne Brontë, who used it for her two novels, "Agnes Grey" and "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall."
The choice of Acton Bell as a pseudonym was deliberate and strategic, aimed at concealing the true identities of the authors. The term "Acton" is known to have been chosen as a tribute to Anne's friend, Anne Procter, while "Bell" was likely inspired by the Brontës' pseudonym as a whole, derived from the curate Patrick Brontë's birthplace, Loughbrickland, which translates to "the steep slope of the little field."
By adopting the pseudonym Acton Bell, the Brontë sisters successfully separated themselves from their true identities and navigated through the prejudices against women writers of their time. This allowed their novels to be judged solely on their literary merits and content, rather than being disregarded or dismissed due to the writers' gender. Acton Bell remains an important part of literary history, representing the determination and resilience of the Brontë sisters in their pursuit of recognition and success.
