Sibyl Vane Analysis

With the many multifaceted characters in both The Picture of Dorian Gray and Jane Eyre, the theme of love takes on a variety of different roles. Love is the notion of feeling affection or admiration for either oneself or another individual. The idea of love is a universal concept that can prove both an inspiration but also can result in the demise of a character. Interestingly, not only do the characters experience these feelings of love, but the authors as well. There is romantic love, self-love, homoerotic love, agonizing love, destructive love and even emotional repercussions of deprived love. Despite originating from Irish middle class, Oscar Wilde uses his wit and intellectual prowess to become a defining Victorian author as he pens The

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Sibyl Vane represents purity and innocence and the perfection of a human being. She is a living, breathing piece of art in part due to the work she does. Because of the songs she sings and the characters she portrays, Dorian falls madly and deeply in love with her. At first, Dorian believed he was infatuated with her, however, once he began to see her without the theater or music, he realized that she was not really what he was looking for. Dorian, took everything away from Sibyl, her dignity, her love, and even her life. Striving to love him, she surrendered parts of herself. Then, she began to think he was someone different, someone who did not just love her for the way she sang and acted. When Sybil found out Dorian did not love her for who she really was, she was destroyed and commits suicide. As seen by the relationship of Sibyl and Dorian, love is something that can be very

Rochester, a powerful, but unusual man uses his authority to assert his position through his relationship with Bertha and Jane Eyre. Bertha was his first wife with whom he had an arranged marriage revolving around preserving economic stability. Due to unfortunate events, Bertha inherits insanity from her mom. During this time, it was inhumane to admit people to insane asylums. Rochester decides how she lives the rest of her life by deciding to keep her in the attic. Though this shows that their marriage has fallen apart, Edward shows his loving attributes which is a different type of love. By keeping her in the attic, Rochester shows immense empathy for Bertha because he keeps her from the lack of attention she would receive in an insane asylum. He knows that in his home, she is safe and will be taken care of. Rochester has a more dynamic love for Jane. He finds substance in Jane and this allows him to have a new type of intimacy that revolves around character. They have a mental connection that shows the reader that they are in love because of their minds and not because of a superficial aspect like money, such as seen with Bertha. Rochester loves Jane because she is so independent but he still tries to make her less than who she really is. He tries to define her by proclaiming who she should be and trying to change her