The Romance Endures…Jane Eyre and Bluebell by Penhaligon’s

 

What does one do when faced with overwhelming hardship… endure and triumph. Perhaps no better example is one of the all time great heroines of literature, Jayne Eyre.

 

 

Before its publication, Charlotte Bronte’s working title was Jayne Eyre: An Autobiography. Primarily, this gothic novel told in the first person voice of Jayne, is told in five parts. First, the story opens with 10 yr old Jane, a poor orphan at the mercy of her cruel relatives suffering through an abusive childhood. Next, we see her as a student who attends a school where she doesn’t fit in.  After she graduates and becomes a governess, she falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester (who loves her as well, although neither declares their heart to each other).

Due to draconian and melodramatic circumstances ranging from intrigue to illness, she leaves Thornfield, her true love’s home and contemplates marriage with her cousin, a cold clergyman.

 

A Christmas frost had come at midsummer; a white December storm had whirled over June; ice glazed the ripe apples, drifts crushed the blowing roses; on hayfield and cornfield lay a frozen shroud: lanes which last night blushed full of flowers, to-day were pathless with untrodden snow; and the woods, which twelve hours since waved leafy and flagrant as groves between the tropics, now spread, waste, wild, and white as pine-forests in wintry Norway."

 

 

 

After more harsh conditions and misfortunes, Jayne with her very British perseverance reunites with Edward Rochester and marries her hero.

 

 

Penhaligon’s London, opened its first shoppe in the 1860s, just about the time Jane Eyre was written. Bluebell is perhaps the most British and iconic of all Penhaligon’s scents and is a beloved cult classic, (as is the novel) to generations of romantics.

 

Bluebell is not a simple soliflore and declares its nature from the onset; top notes of citrus, suggesting bitterness, and heart notes of gentle but hardy florals, including Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley, Cyclamen, Jasmine and Rose. Base notes of Galbanum, Clove and Cinnamon show veiled passion.

 

Although Penhaligon’s has recently reformulated fragrances from its archives, I don’t think they will touch this classic perfume, Bluebell will endure; it’s as for ever appealing, tenacious and unique as Jayne Eyre.

– Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7 comments

  • I was assuming that the formulation of Bluebell was done in the 1860's, but I read on the Penhaigon website that it was formulated in 1978, so I answered my own question.  
    Lovely article!
    Chris

  • Another one of your intriguing pieces, Michelyn! I love these articles juxtaposing perfume and literature that is revelatory of the culture of the time.

  • oh there are synthetics…. there always were… synthetics were used even in the 7000s:0… every fragrance is reformualted as many naturals are banned or new technology can replace the naturals… . even natural fragrances are reformulated… ie if the rain falls one year and not in another the ingredients take on a different character. this is especially true in naturals.

  • Chris.. recently Penhaligon’s reformulated perfumes from their archives that were disctd. cafleurebon announced them and reviewed them first. Penhaligon’s Orange blossom and cologner… the nose is bertrand Duchaufour, who is one of the greatest 21st nosees…

  • I remember going to London for my first time and made Penhaligon's a must.   I was not disappointed and I fell in love with Bluebell.   It is wonderful and always reminds me of London stepped in the past with their lovely shop.