The Nature of Civilization: Emily Brontë’s Essay, ‘The Palace of Death’

Abstract

This essay primarily focuses on the depiction of Civilization in one of Emily Brontë’s Belgian essays, “The Palace of Death.” By positioning Civilization as the intimate ally of Intemperance, Emily Brontë has inserted a considerable twist into the essay’s main narrative plot, which bespeaks the author’s own contemplation on the the nature of civilization in relation to humanity’s demise. By conducting a detailed analysis of the relevant paragraph of the essay, as well as linking it to the related themes in the author’s novel and in one of her poems, I explore Brontë’s subtle understanding of the nature of human civilization and the essence of modern progress, as well as her cautionary warning toward the future path of humankind.