Literary Synthesis Essay

Literature strongly influences the ideals of others. Writers sometimes use their platform to address pressing issues in society. An issue that has been discussed for hundreds of years is the role of each gender. Charlotte Bronte used her writing to shed light on the poor treatment of females. In Bronte's Jane Eyre, Jane is constantly reminded of her social "station" and how she should be submissive. Another author who composed literature opposing gender inequality was Kate Chopin. Chopin's The Story of An Hour is a short story that offers insight into the way women were treated in marriage in the late nineteenth century. These literary works and others that are similar have affected the way that women are treated in society today.

Jane Eyre

was considered a radical book in its time because of its portrayal of the gender roles of the time period. Jane was an intelligent woman and felt she should be treated as so. In Jane's time at the Lowood School, she is reminded that women are lesser by Mr. Brocklehurst. Brocklehurst berated Jane for not liking the Psalms and mocked her by telling her that his young son is far more intelligent and holier than her because he knows and likes these Psalms. Jane was told that she had a wicked heart and Mr. Brocklehurst shunned her. In Jane's adult life, she ponders why women are not allowed to hold the same positions that men hold. She resents the fact that women are forced into positions like pudding making and knitting. Jane addresses Rochester, candidly asking him of his beliefs on her," Do you think I am an automaton? A machine without feelings? And can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!" Jane told Rochester that she will not stand to be treated as subhuman by Rochester anymore and proceeds to tell him that if they stood in front of God at the moment, they would stand as equals. This fortitude was not common in women in the time period of the story, so many were taken back and shocked by Jane's belief in equality. Bronte used Jane Eyre as a vehicle to call for a change in the way women are treated in society.
Chopin's The Story of An Hour is a depiction of the life of a married woman in the late nineteenth century. This short story suggests that women were often controlled by their husbands. When Mrs. Mallard learned of her husband's supposed death, she was remorseful at first, but then her mood changed drastically. She actually felt relieved and free, so free that she whispered the word to herself multiple times. The unoppressed life that she dreamed of was coming to fruition right before her. Chopin expressed how she felt that she no longer had to "live for someone else." Women were treated as inferior in marriage and are sometimes still treated as so in today's society. Mrs. Mallard was so happy and full of life when she learned of her husband's alleged death that when he came walking through the front door, she died of heart disease", the joy that kills." Chopin uses this literary work to address the issue of women being treated as lesser in marriage and being forced to conform to their husband's will.
Similarly, Jane Eyre and The Story of An Hour address the issue of gender inequality in marriage. These stories illustrate a flaw in society that both Chopin and Bronte hoped to make known with their literary works. This is an issue that is still prevalent in society. Although inequality still exists, it is most definitely not to the same degree as one hundred years ago.