Wuthering criticism as Bronte Society appoints Lily Cole to lead anniversary celebrations
A LITERATURE expert has resigned from the world’s oldest literary society after Lily Cole, the model, was given a prominent role in Emily Brontë’s bicentenary celebrations.
Nick Holland, an expert on the work of the Brontë sisters, criticised the decision to employ Cole as champion of the Wuthering Heights author for the 200th anniversary of her birth. He said Cole, a Cambridge graduate, was chosen for the role rather than a traditional writer to “attract a younger audience”.
However, critics accused him of “tedious killjoy carping” on social media.
In a blog post, Mr Holland wrote: “What would Emily Brontë think if she found that the role of chief ‘artist’ and organiser in her celebratory year was a supermodel? We all know the answer to that, and anyone who doesn’t isn’t fit to … have any role in the governance of the Brontë Society. The very basic rule should have been that the person chosen for such an important role as creative partner is a writer. The drive now is for one thing – attracting a young audience. Being trendy is the ultimate aim, with the Brontës themselves relegated to the sidelines.”
But Samantha Ellis, an expert on Anne Brontë who headlined events during the Brontë Society’s 200th anniversary celebrations last year, said the events “brilliantly balance intellectual rigour, integrity and fun, in general and especially for Brontë200.” She added on Twitter, “What tedious killjoy carping.”
The latest controversy came as the Brontë Society appeared to have settled down following several years of infighting between traditionalists and modernists. A society spokesman said: “Lily’s innovative projects in the fields of literacy, nature, storytelling and the environment are the perfect fit for Emily, and her originality and creativity will bring a fresh perspective to our 2018 celebrations.”
Cole, who modelled for Vogue and Playboy and describes her passions as “art and activism”, will work with the Foundling Society exploring the origins of Emily Brontë’s Heathcliff.
‘What would Emily Brontë have said?” The question has been on the lips of members of the Brontë Society ever since the supermodel Lily Cole was given a prominent role in the celebrations of the bicentenary of the author’s birth this year. Now, an expert on Brontë literature has resigned in protest. Nick Holland said Ms Cole was chosen for the role rather than a traditional writer to “attract a younger audience”. But what is wrong with that, provided the focus is on the writings of Emily Brontë? Ms Cole may not be a writer, as Mr Holland would prefer, but she is no intellectual slouch. She studied history of art at Cambridge, from which she graduated with a double first. She seems eminently qualified for the task. What would Emily have said? Probably something like “Tha’s done well, lass.”