There’s no shade better than the pompous, high-brow, *sips tea* kinda shade thrown by the Brits – and honey, the Brontë Society‘s drama is serving up a much-needed dose of sophisticated savagery as 2017 comes to a close.
The Brontë Society – responsible for safeguarding the legacy of the Brontë sisters/running the Brontë Parsonage Museum – has had its fair share of drama in recent years as modernists and traditionalists clash over the direction of the organisation.
Former president Bonnie Greer left the top job after attempting to bring order to a hectic meeting by getting her Judge Judy on and legit banging a Jimmy Choo on the table. Yep, a Jimmy fucking Choo.
In an effort to up the ~cool~ factor of the Brontë Society, they’ve appointed supermodel Lily Cole as a creative partner for the bicentenary celebrations of Emily Brontë – something that’s caused quite the stir for the more stick-up-the-ass members of the organisation.
On the topic of the appointment, Brontë expert Nick Holland said:
The central question should be, 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 make the decision or have any role in the governance of the Brontë Society.
The shade, honey. THE SHADE.
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.
The thing is, Cole is actually kinda qualified for the gig. She’s graduate of Cambridge and studied history of art while she was there – something that initiated her interest in the origins of Emily Brontë’s character Heathcliff which she’ll be delving deeper into during her time with the Brontë Society.
But the old sports of the organisation, both past and present, certainly aren’t viewing it that way. Former curator of the Parsonage Juliet Barker has spoken out, saying:
There’s the positive that Lily has that background [Cambridge-educated] herself and may appeal to younger people.
Personally I would have preferred someone with more academic standing but that’s where I come from and I’m in the fortunate position of not being in charge of the Brontë Society.
Ooft.
But the Brontë Society are sticking to their guns.
The Brontës were trailblazers and it is one of the roles of the society to ensure that their lives and work continue to be of relevance and interest to modern society. 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.
Gotta love how easily the Brits get their pubes in a plait, right?
