Power dynamics in Bronte’s Jane Eyre have been examined in a multitude of ways, including the centralisation of slaves and masters (Zonana), and Dupras’ reading of the importance of economic status and depravity. However, this critical response will focus on how the ultimate form of power, and therefore the formation of power dynamics, stems from Jane’s position as an unreliable, biased narrator. The extract from chapter twenty-seven, wherein Rochester tells Jane about Bertha’s voyage and confinement to Thornfield, ultimately displays how Jane as the narrator challenges the influence of masculinity, and how power structures are superimposed by female narrative voice. Similarly, how Jane’s voice furthers power imbalances between her and Bertha, …show more content…
This is shown through Rochester’s display of bigamy later in the extract; Jane narrates an arguably accurate account of Rochester’s speech, lamenting he was “convinced that I could and ought” remarry. Bronte’s use of language such as “convinced” gives connotations in this instance of male entitlement, as Rochester refuses to acknowledge or follow known law. Similarly, the use of “ought” gives insight into Rochester’s views of his own superiority; arguably, he believes he has a right to ignore his pre-existing wife due to her madness. Here, masculinity is being presented in a detrimental way by Jane, as the primarily negative aspects of Rochester’s character are being displayed. Kaufman suggests that “men’s social power is the source of individual power.” As Jane controls how readers view Rochester’s masculinity and therefore his social power through narrative voice, it can therefore be suggested through Kaufman’s idea that Jane also controls Rochester’s individual power. This both serves to heighten the power of women as they implicitly control the presentation of men, and lessen the impact of Rochester’s status. Therefore, Jane as the narrator provides her with an ultimate source of power, as she dictates how those with the ultimate source of power in society are …show more content…
If we pursue the idea of Jane having power over the presentation of narrative detail, then it is prudent to suggest that she allows for the continued oppression of Bertha by allowing Rochester’s dehumanizing language to stay present within the extract. Language such as “monster in the vessel” and “goblin” are expressed by Rochester and incorporated without question into the narrative by Jane, which traditionally have animalistic, primitive connotations. This immediately paints Bertha as less than a woman, and elevates Jane’s status as the pure “dove” in both Rochester’s eyes and the eyes of the contemporary reader. Therefore, Bertha as a feral, goblin-like creature gives Jane power to re-enforce commonly accepted racial stereotypes of the Other, and make integration seem detrimental to progression due to narrative choices. This further marginalises Bertha in the eyes of contemporary society, thus highlighting how power over the narrative can influence equality, as omissions to Rochester’s language could have been made to strengthen sympathy for Bertha’s position. However, Alexandra Nygren argues that Jane is “unintentionally complicit” in the oppression of Bertha, as she is already heavily influenced by society’s rigid views on the Orient. This idea takes explicit blame away from Jane in her narrative choices; nevertheless, even Jane’s ignorance still influences the
...life. Adams’ points out that Rochester believed he had “made” Jane a woman; she was not a woman in her own right. Without Rochester’s presence looming over her, she is simply a child. These roles are reversed, and Jane feels in control when Rochester is blinded by the fire set off by Bertha. Jane’s “nurturing custodianship” of him makes her feel equivalent to him, thus leading them to get married.
Jane Eyre finds her own image in St. John Rivers as they share several similarities in their moral determinations. After learning of Bertha Mason’s existence, Jane Eyre refuses to stay in Thornfield, fearing that she might lose her self-respect if she would give into Feeling, or “temptation” (447). The Feeling demands her to comply with Rochester’s entreaty, asking “Who in the world cares for you [Jane]? Or who will be injured by what you do?” (4...
Jane, with the freedom she acquired after she left the Reeds, believes that not just men but women too, need to “exercise for their faculties.” Jane expresses her feelings in the struggle of women to be on equal footing with their male counterpart. She is frustrated at the idea that women are meant for knitting and making pudding because she believes that women are capable of doing things or at the same position as men do. The stereotypes placed upon women limit their rights in the society and they should not be looked down if they strive to put themselves in a better situation or
When reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, I find myself cheering for Rochester. After finishing the book, I ask myself why Jane chooses Rochester over St. John. After all, Rochester has a "mad" wife, Bertha Mason, locked in the attic of Thornfield Hall at the same time that he is proposing marriage to Jane. He has a ward living with him, possibly the offspring of an illicit affair with a French dancer. He is arrogant, pushy, and basically ill-tempered. St. John, on the other hand, is well mannered, respected, and has a promising future. To answer my own question, then, it is essential to look at how each man fits the idea of masculinity in Victorian society, at how each man relates to Jane, and at why Bronte creates her two leading men to be such extreme opposites.
Bronte’s main character, Jane Eyre, conforms to this unequal power dynamic throughout most of the novel. Therefore, Jane is portrayed as the direct product of Victorian society. Throughout the novel, the men Jane encounters hold the power and inevitably mold and shape her throughout the novel into their idealized standard of a woman. Mr. Brocklehurst, Mr. Rochester, and St. John each project their own image of the perfect woman upon Jane and each of them attempt to shape her to their idealized standards. Jane is left in the end to discover herself whilst in her search to be reunited with the love of her life, Mr. Rochester. Jane’s relationship with Mr. Rochester however focuses far more on romantic notions and brings to ...
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre chronicles the growth of her titular character from girlhood to maturity, focusing on her journey from dependence on negative authority figures to both monetary and psychological independence, from confusion to a clear understanding of self, and from inequality to equality with those to whom she was formerly subject. Originally dependent on her Aunt Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Mr. Rochester, she gains independence through her inheritance and teaching positions. Over the course of the novel, she awakens towards self-understanding, resulting in contentment and eventual happiness. She also achieves equality with the important masculine figures in her life, such as St. John Rivers and Mr. Rochester, gaining self-fulfillment as an independent, fully developed equal.
The odd relationship that takes shape between Mr.Rochester and Jane is one that becomes serious gradually. It seems to give Jane pleasure that Mr.Rochester believes her to be of intelligence that is peculiar for a schoolgirl. The bluntness that they share in a way shows flirtation between the characters but then the way that Rochester refers to Jane as little friend shows him as a type of father-like portrait.
The Novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte took a surprising twist when Bertha "Mason" Rochester was introduced. Bertha leaves a traumatizing impression on Jane’s conscious. However, this particular misfortunate event was insidiously accumulating prior to Jane’s arrival at Thornfield. Through Bertha, the potential alternative dark turn of events of Jane’s past are realized, thus bringing Jane closer to finding herself.
The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, depicts the coming of age of a woman who encounters great hardships, obstacles, and heartbreak. During the Victorian era women were subordinate to men and often times lacked the same opportunities and privileges that society and the family structure gave to men. Although society and the family structure of the Victorian era treated men and women differently, men were also oppressed, experienced suffering, and had to overcome poverty, but due to the masculinity that men were forced to portray during the era often times the hardships of men have been overlooked when analyzing the men in Jane Eyre. The characters John Reed, St. John Rivers, and Edward Rochester suffer various forms of lack and poverty that contributes to their oppressive and suffering nature precipitated by societal and family structure as well as being impoverished by their circumstances throughout the story even though they come across as having wealth and power.
Despite Rochester’s stern manner and unhandsome appearance, Jane still finds herself falling in love with him. During her first encounter with Rochester Jane describes him
This brought into question Jane’s grand need for independence. Jane’s equality in a relationship is derived from her desire for independence. Jane reveals her need for independence in her relationship with Mr. Rochester when she told him she would always call him master but she would not be inferior to him. Haiyan Gao asserts in her article “Reflection On feminism in Jane Eyre,” “Jane loves Rochester with all her heart and Rochester’s status and wealth make him so high above for Jane to approach, yet she never feels herself inferior to Rochester though she is a humble family teacher.” It is also notable that Jane does not pursue a relationship with Mr. Rochester with the intention of gaining money.
Charlotte Brontë composed her novel Jane Eyre during the Victorian era; a period of history where Patriarchy set the expectations of men and women. The effect of this social system resulted in women suffering discrimination simply because of their gender. Sigmund Freud, in his essay entitled, “The Relation of the Poet to Day-Dreaming,” articulated that women were only capable of having erotic wishes dominate their “phantasies,” and even their ambitious “phantasies” were rooted in erotic wishes (177). The predominating thought concerning women during this era was that, due to their nature, longed to marry—tending to the needs of her household. Those who were not fortunate enough to marry (due to appearance or social status) were to become governesses. Ms. Brontë, through her protagonist Jane Eyre, clearly depicts the struggles of an indigent young woman who is forced into near slavery. This tale is articulated well by Adrienne Rich in her essay entitled, “Jane Eyre: The Temptations of a Motherless Woman,” when she states that Jane wants to “choose her life with dignity, integrity, and pride” (471). Even though Charlotte Brontë depicts a woman who will not be bound by the mores of her society, she is not so exuberant as to have her protagonist proclaim “I am woman, hear me roar.” The toning down of Jane’s demeanor can be attributed to satisfaction of the critics, but Brontë also expresses that the societal expectations, or the patriarchal rights of men, produced a similar negative effect on men. From John Reed and his self-righteous attitude, to Rochester’s internal battle in regards to the treatment of women, Charlotte Brontë demonstrates that sexism—inherent in a patriarchal society—has an adverse affect on both men and women.
...ighting for acknowledgement in a society dominated by males. She, unlike her aunt, is not afraid to stand up to John, and is not bossed around by him. She is constantly fighting with him. Bronte uses this difference between Jane and the other women characters to create the picture in her reader’s mind, that women who display the behaviors of the classical Victorian female are bad, and that the women who show independence and individuality are good.
Women, in all classes, were still living in a world which was misogynistic and male-dominated. Their purpose in life was to produce male heirs and maintain the home by hiring and overseeing servants. It was also taboo for one to marry significantly below one’s social class. This is one reason that Jane is not a conventional heroine for the society of her time. Although, as a governess, she is not considered to be as low as a housemaid, she is still part of the hired help in the house. This is why it is unconventional for her and Mr Rochester to be in a relationship. Yet this is not as peculiar as how Jane Eyre ends their relationship due to her sense of betrayal. It would have been considered extremely foolish for a working-woman’s sense of betrayal to end and turn down a man of great wealth.
The realistic novel places greater emphasis on its characters, rather than its plot, and explores the relationships between these characters. The selected passage shows both the servant-master aspect of Jane and Mr. Rochester’s relationship, as well as its romantic nature. At the beginning of the selected passage, Jane affectionately describes Mr. Rochester as a “kind master,” which is indicative that even after his proposal, she is unable to separate herself from her position as a servant. This is further emphasized when Jane states that “he would send for [her] in the morning,” whic...