Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Within the specter of the Gothic fictions arises the atmosphere of gloom, terror, and mystery with some elements of uncanny challenging reality. One major characteristic function of the Gothic fictions is to open the fiction to the realm of the irrational and perverse narratives, obsessions, and nightmarish terrors that hide beneath the literally civilized mindset in order to demonstrate the presence of the uncanny existing in the world known rationally through experience. At certain points, the interactions between the conventions of the Gothic fictions with other thematic, ideological, and/or symbolic functions of the narrative would rather be challenging. However, though the analysis of Jane Eyre written by

Great feminist writers, such as Zora Neale Hurston and Betty Friedan, have been openly outspoken against misogyny in their societies. Charlotte Bronte, a prisoner of the strict and proper Victorian society, speaks out against gender inequality in a subtle manner, as her environment limits her voice. Bronte illuminates the misogynistic and sexist attitudes of the Victorian era in Jane Eyre through the relationships between the protagonist, Jane, and the male characters in the book, through the treatment of madwoman Bertha Mason, and through the inner monologue of Jane herself.

Jane Eyre, in Jane Eyre, addresses many issues concerning gender inequality. Jong states, “She [Jane] must reject a variety of hypocritical masculine figures who feel it is their right to rule her” (155). As a child, Jane was often surrounded by male figures, John Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst, who constantly belittled her presence and kept her in a submissive mindset. Jane claims, “Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts just as their brothers do" (115).

Our interest in the parallels between King Richard III and Looking For Richard is further enhanced by consideration of the marked differences in textual form. Evaluate this statement in the light of your Comparative Study of King Richard III and Looking For Richard.

In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the relationships Jane has with the male characters demonstrates her coming of age from dependence to independence because Jane begins by rebelling against John and Mr. Brocklehurst, she leaves Mr. Rochester, and denies St. John’s proposal. Jane’s acts of rebellion against John Reed shows that she is tired of being dependent on him and his family. Also, by showing signs of rebellion to Mr. Brocklehurst when she first is interviewed to see if the school Lowood is the right place for her shows that she yearns for independence. Jane’s standing up to Mr. Rochester by leaving him shows that she is not dependent on him. Jane’s refusal of St. John’s proposal shows that she is an independent woman who can do things for herself. Considering the connection between the men in Jane’s life and her coming of age from dependence to independence, it is important to analyze her first show of instability with John Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst.

During the height of the Victorian Era, in which the books Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, and the Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, it was not uncommon for more well-off households of the era to have at least one Governess hired to help keep the younger residents educated and orderly, and to keep the servants of the manor abiding by the constructs in which the Victorian era set out for them as consistently as possible. Therefore, because the Governess was so prominent within the rich classes in regards as a role in their house—like how the contemporary writer gains inspiration for satire of the rich from writing the stereotype of a tired and underpaid maid—the Victorian novelist used the role of the Governess to write in a

Jane experiences issues in each of the settings she resides in. In Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre, the Reed family abuses Jane at Gateshead. Similarly, Mr. Brocklehurst harms and strips Jane of her self confidence at Lowood, the institution he manages. After her time at Lowood, Rochester betrays Jane in his home, Thornfield Hall. In order to rid herself of that hurtful emotion, Jane escapes to the Moor house. However, at her supposed sanctuary, St. John, one of the members of the household, takes Jane’s power away. Jane drifts through multiple settings in the plot as a way to cope with the insecurities instilled in her.

Surrounded by witnesses, Jane stands in front of the minister, poised to take her marital vows as the mystery of Thornfield unravels. Unbeknownst to her, Rochester’s actual wife, Bertha Mason, is within close proximity.The knowledge of Bertha, and the mystery, will pose as a test to Jane 's morals and her character. Through Jane Eyre, a powerful Victorian-era novel, Charlotte Bronte portrays the role of women in Victorian society while masterfully solidifying Jane’s role as its polar opposite: an independent woman. The events surrounding the mystery of Thornfield Hall and specific passages in the novel emphasize this theme. Being independent was atypical of women in the Victorian era, but this is an attribute that Jane possesses. She is independent, unlike most women living in the Victorian era. She had opinions of her own and she spoke her mind. Jane was the polar opposite of the ideal set forth by society in her time. Tangling herself more deeply in Rochester 's lies, Jane finally speaks her mind and tells Rochester how she feels about him.

Catherine’s intense love for Heathcliff combined with her attachment to Edgar is the reason for her pain and sickness throughout the novel. When asked by Nellie she says, “My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I 'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary.” (Bronte 82). Catherine’s love for these two men, especially Heathcliff, is the reason that many of the conflicts in Wuthering Heights occurred. When Heathcliff overhears Catherine’s decision to marry Edgar and runs away, Catherine waits for him in the cold rain for hours and catches the cold that eventually leads to her death. The fight between Heathcliff and Edgar causes her to go three days without eating and she weakens herself enough to get to the condition she’s in when she dies. Catherine battles with her decisions and feels deep emotions for both men. She marries Edgar, and despite their happiness, the relationship lacks the intense love that she feels with Heathcliff, as heard when she tells Nelly, “If all else perished and he [Heathcliff] remained, I should still continue to be; and, if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger” (Bronte 81). However, when she is with Heathcliff, the passion is what hurts her the most, as the two lovers juggle anger and joy because love and hate are so closely linked. Catherine’s love and

Because the setting takes place in the Victorian Age, Brontë points out the society’s expectation of marriage at the time, which is women’s subjection to men; however she expresses her disagreement of it by advising a marriage built on equality. She states that society’s definition of marriage is the exchange between male financial supports for female sexuality. During the party of Rochester, Jane indicates her belief on marriage. “I saw he was going to marry her, for family, perhaps political reasons; because her rank and connexions suited him; I felt he had not given her his love” (216). Jane’s belief is shaped by society’s expectations that individuals can only marry someone in their own social status. Therefore, Jane believes that Rochester will marry Ms. Ingram due to her high rank, wealth and beauty. She concludes that although there is no love between the two, they will come together for

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brönte voiced the radical opinions of Brönte on religion, gender, and social class. Jane Eyre, a young orphan who lived with her vituperative aunt and cousins, strayed away from the Victorian ideals of a woman and established a new status for herself. Jane Eyre was originally written in 1827 and was heavily influenced by the late gothic literature of the 19th century. Gothic literary aspects such as supernatural occurrences, mysteries and dark secrets, madness and danger, and overall suspense created the basis for Jane Eyre. Although Jane Eyre embodied a strong female figure with confidence and intelligence, Jane constantly struggled to find balance between freedom and love in her life.

Richard Benvenuto’s extract on Jane Eyre’s moral choices throughout the story surrounds itself on the idea of moral struggle between the state of nature and grace. Both nature and grace are viewed as “two self-identities.” These two states are so separated that there are two distinct features of Jane that encompass all of her attributes. Benvenuto describes the complexity of Jane saying, “Not one unitive personality with different parts to it, but two unitive personalities contesting against each other make up her character” (54). The main reason for the two different “personalities” of Jane Eyre is because of St. John and Rochester. Most characters divided by passion and conscience normally fluctuate. For Jane, though she contradicts herself she does not oscillate. She is committed to the life given by nature and the life given by grace. The first sight of commitment of nature occurs when Jane hears Rochester’s voice. This was not some sort of random occurrence or miracle, but it is the productivity of nature. In some way his voice expresses Jane’s inner being, speaking for Jane’s self not only her emotions but also for her deepest goals and aspirations. St. John represents suppression, onus, and an approach expressing the morality of complete grace. St. John forced Jane into to his own realm of grace. Jane never truly acknowledges why she left Rochester in the first place. To the reader this decision can be seen as a mistake. Charlotte Brontë sets up Jane leaving from St.

People learn by example and sometimes the best figures to follow can be found in literature, like the main character in the book “Jane Eyre.” “Jane Eyre” is a novel by Charlotte Bronte that is about a young girl named Jane Eyre who grew up in rural England in the Victorian era and was forced to face harsh cruelties as an orphaned child. When she gets older, she becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, so she has to deal with fighting society’s rules and what other people want her to do. Jane is a young woman who dares to defy Victorian conventions of femininity, opting for realism rather than sentimentalism, and independence rather than subservience. In her life she projects those things through her actions and beliefs.

" I would always be happy than dignified” are the first words the audience are shown that can cause the reader to wonder whether it will be satisfying or if they would be able to comprehend the author’s message. Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre deals with a young orphan girl who lives a very repugnant life; the transition from her childhood to adulthood makes the reader effectively understand the character’s struggles and accomplishments. When reading this novel, a reader’s imagination can travel back to the Victorian age in England, where everything was differentiated between the men and women of this time era. This can aid readers to get a prominent picture of the life of the main character, Jane. Jane Eyre portrays a variety of themes and symbolism in which focus the central message of this book.

In England during the nineteenth century, the struggle to gain independence and equality were difficult for Victorian women, largely because of their gender, but also because they did not have any independent source of wealth. Published in 1847, Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Brontë depicts the life of women during that time that were economically devalued and socially marginalized. Women were not seen as equals to men and being independent meant being free from the influences of others. The novel tells the story of Jane Eyre, a young Victorian woman on a quest to fulfill a sense of equality and independence in her life. Throughout the novel, a series of individuals fail to agree with Jane’s ideology, making an identity search a pressing issue for Jane. Her main goal as a Victorian woman is to become independent, achieve self-fulfillment while finding a voice, and overcome oppression. While Jane Eyre can be read as a feminist novel, it can also be seen as a challenge towards the Victorian era and how Brontë uses her protagonist to attack some of the issues during this time. Although Jane faces off with individuals in the novel that do not see her as an equal, the point of equality Jane desires is emotion-based, rather than people-based. The relationships that Jane develops in the novel leads her to want to go against the social norms of women in the Victorian era and fight for her own identity.