Question

The Brontë sisters published their novels under the pseudonyms Currer Bell, Ellis Bell, and Acton Bell. Why do you think they chose to publish their works under male pseudonyms? Today, under what conditions would a writer choose to write or publish under a pseudonym?

Answer 1

In the Victorian period, women writers did not enjoy the same status as the men who wrote during that era. Works by women were considered frivolous and were not taken seriously. It's likely that most women were discouraged from trying to publish, either by their families or their friends. They may have also had a hard time finding a publisher who would publish their works.

Today, a writer might choose to write under a pseudonym if writing about a controversial topic. Or, if a writer writes for more than one genre, it may be easier to write under different names to build a stronger association or name recognition with each genre. (PLATO ANSWER)

Answer 2

The Brontë sisters chose to publish their works under male pseudonyms because they lived in a male-dominated world, where it was not recommendable, if not impossible, for women to express themselves in intellectually prominent roles, outside the kitchen. Today, writers typically choose to write or publish under pseudonyms for purely artistic purposes. For example, Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym that works well within this writer's opus, and contributes to this author's literary world.