Sociological Benefits Of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

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The Sociological Benefits of “Jane Eyre” Jane Eyre should be read in schools because it is an important social commentary on gender expectations and double standards. A woman's worth in 19th-century society was based on superficial physical attributes which had nothing to do with the substance of one's character. Men, however, were judged based on things of substance, such as intelligence. Bronte uses Jane Eyer to explore the consequences of objectifying women as well as treating them as second-class citizens or the “other”. Understandably, one might think that there are easier ways to understand what it feels like to be the “other”. One might think that reading a 400-page book about an orphan girl who is cast off as being a freak isn’t …show more content…

Yes," responded Abbot, if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that"(Brontë 3). The quote reinforces the idea that if Jane were conventionally attractive, she would deserve just treatment. Instead, because she does not fit into society's ideals of beauty she is treated unjustly. In a different section, Jane is speaking to Mr. Rochester about whether she thinks he's good looking. She has an inner dialogue between herself and the reader: "And was Mr. Rochester now ugly in my eyes? No, reader: gratitude, and many associations, all pleasurable and genial, made his face the object I best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering than the brightest fire. Yet I had not forgotten his faults: indeed, I could not, for he brought them often before me"(Brontë 15). Jane then goes on to answer his question about what she thought of him. She judges Mr. Rochester's beautify not based solely on his experience but also on his character. The type of consideration that goes beyond the surface was and is not given to …show more content…

A study from the Journal of Applied Psychology found the following about women’s beauty expectations "Women presented wearing cosmetics were perceived as healthier and more confident than when presented without. Participants also awarded women wearing makeup with a greater earning potential and with more prestigious jobs than the same women without cosmetics." Women who do not try to present themselves the way men want them to look are punished in corporate America and have a tougher time moving up in their jobs women who fit into society's image of beauty are rewarded, something men do not have to deal

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