Literary sisters behind “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights” - NYT Mini-Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic piece of literary trivia, perfect for a quick solve in the NYT Mini. It asks solvers to identify the shared surname of the authors behind two of the most celebrated novels in English literature. If you've taken a high school English class, this name is likely stored somewhere in your memory.

Clue Analysis

The clue is very direct. It breaks down into two key parts:

1. "Literary sisters": This immediately tells us we are looking for a family name, not an individual's first name or a book title. The plural "sisters" is crucial.
2. "behind 'Jane Eyre' and 'Wuthering Heights'": These two specific, and very famous, novels are the identifiers. The solver's task is to connect these works to the correct family.

The answer will be the plural form of the sisters' surname.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, there are a few ways your brain might work:

1. Direct Recall: The most common path is immediate recognition. The names Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and the family name are often learned together. You see the titles and the surname instantly pops into your head.
2. Author Association: You might first recall the author of one of the books, for example, thinking, "Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte... oh, what was her last name?" This can often trigger the memory of her equally famous sisters and their shared name.
3. Using Crossings: If the name isn't coming to you, getting a few letters from intersecting clues can be a huge help. Seeing a B at the beginning or an S at the end would likely jog your memory and confirm the answer.

Background Context

The clue refers to the Brontë family, a 19th-century literary family from Yorkshire, England. The three sisters became renowned poets and novelists.

• Charlotte Brontë was the author of Jane Eyre (1847).
• Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights (1847).
• Anne Brontë, the youngest, wrote Agnes Grey (1847) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848).

Initially, to overcome the prejudices against female writers at the time, the sisters published their works under male pseudonyms: Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton (Anne) Bell. Their true identities were revealed later, cementing their legacy as a remarkable literary trio.

Conclusion

This is an excellent example of a knowledge-based clue that feels both accessible and rewarding. It tests a well-known piece of cultural information without resorting to tricks or wordplay. For many solvers, it's a confident entry into the grid that helps build momentum for the rest of the puzzle.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This clue refers to a famous family of 19th-century English novelists.
2. Hint 2: The family included three sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.
3. Hint 3: Charlotte wrote “Jane Eyre” and Emily wrote “Wuthering Heights”.
4. Hint 4: Their surname is of Irish origin and is often seen with a diaeresis over the final 'e'.