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Abstract
The writing of the Life of Charlotte Brontë made enormous demands on its author, Elizabeth Gaskell. Less well known is the effect that the experience had on Mrs Gaskell's subsequent writing. The knowledge she acquired into the background of the Brontë story gave her new and unexpected insights into human nature. From 1857, Gaskell's work has a darker side and her treatment of human relationships shows greater complexity and maturity. Two of her short stories, The Poor Clare and The Crooked Branch are analysed to demonstrate this change of style.