Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre are the two novels I had known of before delving into classics, and I was surprised to find that there was an extensive catalog of novels by the three Brontë sisters. Though, each of their novels was originally published under the pen names of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. It took me some time to sort out their works, so here's some information about each.
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre follows the titular character throughout different stages of her life--primarily from childhood, adolescence in school, and her time as a governess. For most of her life, Jane has been alone, without family or any connections to truly cling to. That all changes when she gets a post working as a governess for Mr. Rochester's ward, and his estate feels more like home. However, not everything is quite as it seems at Rochester's.
The Professor - Charlotte Brontë
This short novel follows William Crimsworth as he becomes a teacher at a girl's school in Brussels. His time there is marked with a period of adjustment and finding new connections. This work is somewhat based on Brontë's own experiences working in Belgium and later was a foundational piece for what would become Villette.
Villette - Charlotte Brontë
Lucy Snow moves to the small town of Villette in Belgium to find employment at a girl's boarding school. With few connections or resources, Lucy's decision is one to establish both moving forward. While at Villette, Lucy reflects on being English in a foreign country, her sense of loneliness at times, and the connections she makes. Similarly to Jane Eyre, there is more than meets the eye than one might expect.
Shirley - Charlotte Brontë
Shirley unravels complex love connections alongside economic issues of the titular character and relatives in the Moore family. Put more eloquently than I could write, the StoryGraph description states Shirley "is an unsentimental, yet passionate depiction of conflict between classes, sexes and generations."
Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights is an eerie, haunting novel. The audience learns the story of Heathcliff and the Earnshaw family along with the narrator, which he learns from someone who worked with the family. This novel captures the shades of gray as it explores toxic love, familial obligations, and generational trauma.
Agnes Grey - Anne Brontë
A hopeful novel, Agnes Grey follows the titular novel as she finds her place in the world. She tries her hand at being a governess, and we follow her as she tries to find the right fit. Alongside her career, Agnes manages relatable things, specifically her family and falling in love.
The Tennant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Brontë
Similarly to Wuthering Heights, The Tennant of Wildfell Hall delves into some darker themes. The novel follows Gilbert as he meets Mrs. Graham, a single mother renting in their neighborhood, and seeks to learn more about her. As the novel progresses, we learn more about Mrs. Graham's life that she left behind. The novel was ahead of its time in some ways because of the openness in which Anne Brontë showcases alcoholism.