“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.” – Maya Angelou. In this paper we will be looking at the book Jane Eyre in a feminist critical perspective. Feminist perspective focuses or examines the social, economic, and cultural aspects of literary works. They Take the literature and find those categories in the story and show they sexist ways they are portrayed and call them out for it. Jane Eyre is an extremely sexist book, we see all three categories fall under the time periods sexist ways from when the women is born till she dies. So this book will focus on the social, economic, and cultural way sexism is seen in Jane Eyre’s story, her struggles in life from hardships and from just …show more content…
For example; “You have never been married? You are a spinster?” (352, Bronte) This shows that even though Jane is only but 19 she is considered a spinster. This means that she is yet married and so people shall assume she does not plan to marry and live alone for her life. This matters because if it were a man at 19 no one would expect him to be married, men did not marry in those times until their 30’s or 40’s, but if it is a women she is looked down upon if she is not married by a young age. Another example is “Gentlemen in his station are not accustomed to marry their governesses.” (269, Bronte) Basically, Mrs. Fairfax thinks Mr. Rochester could be playing Jane, that men of his rank don’t usually marry so far below themselves, but would have a fling. This shows that men of that time would often take women of Jane’s profession as their mistress with no intention to marry. It matters because it is telling us how women in those days were not really respected, they were used as a pastime or fling, never considered for a marriage or future with men like Rochester. Then lastly “Her mind seemed wholly taken up with reminisces of past gaiety, and aspirations of dissipations to come.” (238, Bronte) This means that while talking to Jane Georgina focused solely on her social life and her social life to come. This is important because it shows how involved the women were with their social lives, they …show more content…
For instance; “Because I disliked you too fixedly and thoroughly ever to lend a hand in lifting you to prosperity.” (242, Bronte) This means or shows the way Mrs. Reed felt about Jane, her strong dislike in Jane even as a young child. This matters because at that time having another girl would be a burden, girls then were raised to be married and be a good wife. Mrs. Reed already had two daughters and adding a third was more filling to the pot, had it been a boy he could of worked or helped John with the family expenses. Also there is an example of this in the way Blanche Ingram is raised as this pristine being, the perfect wife for anyone. This means from birth Blanche was moulded as a smart, witty, interesting girl to be able to snag a good husband. This is important because it shows the role women or girls had in those days, they weren't just raised to be their own person, they had to be shaped and taught how to be a good wife. The significance of this is that women couldn't be and do what they wanted, because if they did something that was deemed scandalous back then they would be ruined. Everything girls did back then was to make sure they didn't ruin their reputation, or have any reputation that wasn't good, from the way they ate to who they talked to. Lastly “I fell under a freezing spell. When he said “go”, I went! “come” I came; “dp
"'The marriage can not go on: I declare the existence of an impediment'" (306). Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is the story of an orphaned girl who is sent to live at Gateshead Hall with Mrs. Reed and her three cousins, whom Jane doesn't get along with. At the age of ten, Mrs. Reed sends Jane away to Lowood Institution, an all girls' school, where she spends the next eight years of her life. At the age of eighteen, Jane leaves Lowood and accepts the position as governess at Thornfield Hall. Mr. Rochester, the owner of Thornfield Hall, and Jane fall madly in love and plan to get married, but little does Jane know, Mr. Rochester has a terrible secret that could ruin Jane's life. Throughout the novel, the theme of deceit and dishonesty results in unhappiness and suffering not only to those being lied to, but also to those people perpetuating the untruths.
Jane Eyre is about a girl named Jane who struggles to find who she really is and with it what she really wants. “As a model for women readers in the Victorian period and throughout the twentieth century to follow, Jane Eyre encouraged them to make their own choices in living their lives, to develop respect for themselves, and to become individuals” (Markley). One of the reasons why this book gained merit was because of its striking presence within its time period. During the “Victorian Age” woman did not have much say in society, so this novel broke boundaries to societal norms that restricted woman from things they have today. “Brontë is able to enact this tension through her characters and thus show dramatically the journey of a woman striving for balance within her nature.
Through the baring of Jane’s inner thoughts and emotions, and indeed Emily Brontë’s own feelings, it is evident that she was left with this bitter feeling after this shocking incident underling Jane’s and Emily’s belief that both genders should be treated equally, even though differences do exist. With this quotation, Brontë takes the time to show the emotional side of females and how it affects them. Jane appears as being completely affected by her feelings, while Rochester seems to not have been affected at all. The author is attempting to express, through Jane, her own feminine side. This is one of those specific times in the novel where we’re faced with the reality of the female side that Jane portrays, and we are forced to reevaluate our
In Charlotte Bronte’s, Jane Eyre, Jane goes through numerous self-discoveries, herself-realization and discipline leads her to a life she chooses to make her happy. Jane Eyre has a rough life from the start. Forced to stay with people who despise her, Jane can only help herself. Jane must overcome the odds against her, which add to many. Jane is a woman with no voice, until she changes her destiny. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte consists of continuous journeys through Jane’s life towards her final happiness and freedom.
Immediately from the start Bronte’s character Jane is different. She is an orphan, mis-treated and despised by her family. She has no clear social position, is described as “less than a servant” and treated like one. A protagonist who one would assume had no characteristics worth aspiring too. Jane is displayed perfectly in her hiding behind the curtain. She is placed by a window, which beyond is icy and cold, contrasting immensely from the inside of the fire and warmth. A clear statement of the icy coldness of the family she has been put to live with, and her fiery and passionate nature which we discover th...
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre may be superficially read as simply a sweet romance in which Jane ends up with the man of her dreams after overcoming many obstacles and challenges. But doing so misses the much deeper—richer—messages of Bronte's lasting masterpiece. A more thoughtful reading reveals this novel, especially its heroine Jane, challenging centuries-old gender roles which assume male supremacy, characterizing men as the dominant, more privileged gender, while women are oppressed into inferior and submissive roles. Of course this Victorian novel portrays the expected gender roles of both men and women in 19th century England, but Jane rises out of the patriarchy challenging the social roles assigned her with a personality marked by sass and self-assurance . Ms. Bronte, through Jane, ultimately demonstrates that women can live their lives on equal terms with—or independent of—men.
Bronte uses Jane's own words to demonstrate the negativity surrounding the difference between Jane and Rochester being of different classes and how it affects how Jane believes Rochester will view her. Jane's movement between social classes was something that was a recurring difficulty in Jane's relationships. Jane's disdain for being seen as inferior to Rochester was what initially created the separation between the two. The fact that the difference between their two classes was stark enough to cause her to leave and invite judgment of others seeing their relationship unfold was very interesting. Jane did not seek wealth when it came to marrying Rochester, dissimilar to how Lucy came into marriage with Sir Michael.
Given the background of Victorian motherhood, the nourishment, teachings, and support from the mother are never really present in Jane’s life. Placing other women in her life are able to fill the void where her mother would have been, but never fill the void as a mother really would.
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.
Jane plays the typical role of a Victorian woman through much of her life, but through subtle shifts in power Bronte challenges these Victorian norms by way of Jane’s education, an unlikely rise in social status from teacher to governess and her relationship with a seemingly unattainable man. Jane’s education at Lowood provides a foundation for her rise through the ranks of society and alters the predetermined course of action for Victorian women. Consequently, Jane is raised in a class higher than her own with the Reeds’, and although they are family, they make sure Jane understands her social position is not on the same level. Ironically, Jane is afforded the ability to go to a private school at Lowood and receive an upper class education. “Gendered performances become acts that are increasingly tied to material wealth, and the text suggests that only the middle and upper classes can afford the costly performance of gender” (Godfrey, 856).... ...
Although women had their ideologies and independent thoughts, they were to be represented by their men. Jane Eyre gives a critical evaluation and contributing statements on the facts about female Other in the form of oppression and colonialism. Culture plays a huge role in this part because, in any society, culture overrules some of the most popular practices by Englishmen on their women. The woman captured in Jane Eyre adopted cultural systems that placed her in the house and never allowed her to grow.
Jane Eyre is a Feminist Novel.In the novel Jane Eyre, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the tone of Jane Eyre is in fact a feminist novel. This book points out the times of unfairness in the Victorian society between men and women, where the man always comes first and is the master of his wife and always the provider. There are many examples that show feminist acts that usually do not occur in the Victorian era, such as wiith strength and integrity, Jane is able to break free from the role that the rest of the society has put her in, which is uncommon in that time
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.