Feminism in Jane Eyre
Feminism has been a prominent and controversial topic in writings
for some time. In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre the main
character, Jane Eyre, explores the depth at which women may act in society
and finds her own boundaries in Victorian England. As well, along with the
notions of feminism often follow the subjects of class distinctions and
boundaries.
There is an ample amount of evidence to suggest that the tone of
Jane Eyre is in fact a very feminist one and may well be thought as
relevant to the women of today who feel they have been discriminated
against because of there gender. At the beginning of the 19th century,
little opportunity existed for women, and thus many of them felt
uncomfortable when attempting to enter many parts of society. The absence
of advanced educational opportunities for women and their alienation from
almost all fields of work gave them little option in life: either become a
house wife or a governess. Although today a tutor may be considered a
fairly high class and intellectual job, in the Victorian era a governess
was little more than a servant who was paid to share her scarce amount of
knowledge in limited fields to a child. With little respect, security, or
class one may certainly feel that an intelligent, passionate and
opinionated young woman such as Jane Eyre should deserve and be capable of
so much more. The insecurity of this position, being tossed around with
complete disregard for her feelings or preferences, is only one of many
grueling characteristics of this occupation. However for Jane to even
emerge into society, becoming a governess seemed the only reasonable path
for her.
The women of the Victorian Era can be regarded as the first group
to do battle for the equality of the sexes. They lead all women to follow
after them, and though their progression may not have been as vivid as the
women of the 70's, they did have an effect. Feminism was not outright
spoken of in this time, rather passed through literature, such as this very
novel. Stories and novels were the primary means in which to communicate
information and ideas in that time. Without mass communication systems
The Quest for Inner Beauty in Jane Erye The beauty of a woman is usually classified into two categories: superficial, or physical, beauty and inner, or intellectual, beauty. In the Charlotte Bronte's Jane Erye, the protagonist rejects her own physical beauty in favor of her intelligence and morality. This choice allows her to win the hand of the man she desires. Jane values her knowledge and thinking before any of her physical appearances because of her desire as a child to read, the lessons she is taught and the reinforcements of the idea appearing in her adulthood.
Many people believe that eating disorders are a product of the twentieth century, brought on by teenage girls aspiring to be supermodels like Cindy Crawford. Although such pressures are precipitating factors to many eating disorders, doctors diagnosed patients with anorexia as early as 1689 (Spignesi 7). One early example of anorexia is present in the novel Jane Eyre. Written in the mid-nineteenth century by Charlotte Brontë, this book describes a young girl whose personality bears striking similarities with that of a diagnosed anorexic. The life of the main character, Jane, has also been shown to share innumerable similarities with Brontë's own life. Biographical information from researchers and autobiographical information from Jane Eyre (whether intentional or not) verify that Brontë had an eating disorder.
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.
There are many stages throughout the book in which the reader can feel sympathy for Jane Eyre; these include when she is locked in the Red Room, when Helen Burns dies at Lowood, and when she and Mr. Rochester are married the first time.
In the beginning of Jane Eyre, Jane struggles against Bessie, the nurse at Gateshead Hall, and says, I resisted all the way: a new thing for me…"(Chapter 2). This sentence foreshadows what will be an important theme of the rest of the book, that of female independence or rebelliousness. Jane is here resisting her unfair punishment, but throughout the novel she expresses her opinions on the state of women. Tied to this theme is another of class and the resistance of the terms of one's class. Spiritual and supernatural themes can also be traced throughout the novel.
In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë clearly demonstrates the relationship between sexuality and morality in Victorian society through the character of Bertha Mason, the daughter of a West Indian planter and Rochester's first wife. Rochester recklessly married Bertha in his youth, and when it was discovered shortly after the marriage that Bertha was sexually promiscuous, Rochester locked her away. Bertha is called a "maniac" and is characterized as insane. Confining Bertha for her display of excess passion reinforces a prevalent theme in Jane Eyre, that of oppressive sexual Victorian values. Bertha's captivity metaphorically speaks on the male-dominated Victorian society in which women are inferior and scorned for acts of nonconformism.
her off to school. She tells him that he should "keep a strict eye on her,
The more dangerous vale-tudo-style bouts of the early UFCs had been made safer by adding rules, leading to the popular regulated form of MMA seen today. Initially endorsed as a competition with the with reference to finding the best martial arts for unarmed combat situations, contestants were pitted against each other with minimal rules. Later, fighters joined numerous martial arts into their style while promoters came up with additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport. The term gained fame when the website newfullcontact.com, then one of the prime covering the sport, hosted and reissued the article. Following these fluctuations, the sport has seen increased popularity with a pay-per-view business that rivals boxing and professional wrestling.
Mobile is the first order priority device for access because people are connecting with others, finding entertainment, and doing business—all with smart phones. The prices of mobile phones are never over $1,000 in today’s world. They are affordable and accessible. As the result of the changes the worldwide and national business environment has undergone, people own 1-2 cell phones on average. However, the mobile markets in US seems to have been saturated.
"Mixed Martial Arts: Sport or Spectacle? : NPR." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. 24 Aug. 2007. Web. 15 May 2011. .Website
The story of Jane Eyre is very much about the status of women in the
In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, it was love, and not age or education, that led Jane to mature and grow as a person. With the help of Helen Burns and Miss. Temple, Jane Eyre learned what it meant to love someone. Both these people influenced Jane to mature into a young lady by showing Jane their love and affection. When Jane left Lowood to become a governess, she met the love of her life, Mr. Rochester. With his love, Jane Eyre eventually matured fully and grew into a self-sufficient woman and left the hatred and anger behind.
A Critical Evaluation of Jane Eyre Although Jane Eyre grows and matures, Margaret McFadden-Gerber views her as a relatively emotionally stable young feminist. Through the duration of the novel, Jane demonstrates her "self-love" that is often an influential emotion leading to drastic and hasty reactions. In the very opening few chapters, Jane takes a stand for herself and presents her bruised ego, pride and maturity. Sara Reed, her aunt, dismisses her place in the family as Jane is physically and emotionally removed from her "family's" activities.
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Charlotte Bronte lived and wrote in Victorian England, she was born in 1816 and died in 1855. (Merriman, 2007) Ms. Bronte was considered a women’s liberationist for her era, and her book, Jane Eyre was influenced by her life, her place in society, and her intense determination for self-expression and liberation.