Anne Bronte and her Bible

During eighteen months of intensive study of her Bible, Anne Bronte recorded a large number of Old Testament passages as being of particular interest. She also made markings in the margins and noted the desirability of consulting the Methodist Bible commentator Adam Clarke. Close scrutiny of her copy of the Bible reveals that her chief aim was to explore the Old Testament basis for the idea of universal salvation, the unorthodox belief which features in Anne's second novel. Her pursuit of reassurance that a merciful God will not abandon his creatures bears witness to the religious struggles of Patrick Bronte's youngest daughter five years before she wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.