It is the purpose of this thesis to discuss the Bronte juvenilia only in reference to the mature works and to make clear what influences and likenesses there are between the two, and what currents of continuity exist from the childhood writing through the adult accomplisbment. In such an inquiry Charlotte Bronte, of course, provides the richest reward. For only hers and Branwell's juvenile writings remain to us, and of these two only she wrote significantly with a mature purpose. But the search is barren in none of the four: in all--Charlotte and Branwell, Emily and Anne--the investigation becomes the means of a deeper understanding of the whole picture of their literary lives.