Curious Coffees: Power & Prose

In Week Two of “From Petticoats to Power”, we’re focusing on Power & Prose — the women who used novels, poetry, and essays to bend the rules of Victorian society. From the Brontë sisters to George Eliot, we’ll explore how words became weapons, why some women wrote under male names, and how their stories challenged expectations of love, marriage, and independence. We’ll be talking about: • Why women’s writing was considered radical. • George Eliot’s choice to publish under a pseudonym. • The legacy of Jane Eyre and other trailblazing texts. ⸻ 📚 Suggested Watch/Read/Listen (optional, not compulsory) • 🎥 George Eliot Explained – short YouTube biography. • 🎧 BBC In Our Time: The Brontës (Melvyn Bragg & panel discussion). • 📖 Excerpt: Jane Eyre (“Reader, I married him” passage). Dip into one, two, or all three — enough to bring a thought or a favourite line to the table. ⸻ 📍 Location & Access 🚗 Parking: Free street parking nearby on West Parade, Hueson Road, and Rosebury Avenue. 🚌 By Bus: Short ride from Lincoln Transport Hub. 🚉 By Train: Lincoln Central, then 15–20 mins walk or a quick taxi. ♿ Accessibility: Step-free access, spacious seating, and accessible toilets. ⸻ 💷 Contribution £2 cash on the day to help cover Meetup hosting fees, preparation time, and printed materials. ⸻ 📅 Saturday 18th October 2025 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 The Sycamore, 185 West Parade, Lincoln LN1 1QS ✨ Come curious. Come caffeinated. Come ready to turn the page. 🌹