Wide Sargasso Sea And Jane Eyre Comparative Essay

As society is constantly adapting and aligning itself to suit the needs and demands of the individuals present in that civilization, it is unlikely for such change to come forth without some sort of drastic alteration be it in regards to morality or interpretation. While Jane Eyre & Wide Sargasso Sea are fairly similar texts, an insightful analyzation allows certain distinctions between the two texts to come to the fore. Although change in culture can be drastic, it can also be referred to as repositioning of culture which is the reconstruction of the cultural concept of a society. Comparing and contrasting the two respective novels allows for distinctions to be seen in; cultural attitudes and the impact this has on modernization and the

While Jane is at Thornfield, her dreams and supernatural warnings cause her to abandon Rochester proving to be a great test for her as she is tested both on the religious and emotional level. Prior to meeting Rochester, Jane’s priority in life was God however Jane quickly finds that Rochester begins to take over her faculties and her priorities. Jane is brought back to reality when she begins to have dreams which through symbolism allow her to revert back to god. In the Victorian days it was perceived that those who believed dreams had a bearing on real events lacked a ‘theory of mind’ which is why Bronte’s ensures the distinction between dreaming and reality can be seen. The height of what is conscious and unconscious can be seen from when Bertha sneaks into Jane’s room before the wedding. In this scene, Jane exclaims “You sir, are the most phantom-like of all: you are a mere dream” (Bronte 283). Through this quotation, Jane’s resolve to distinguish between truth and an apparition is evident. Further, Bronte’s certainty is exemplified through the characterization of Jane demonstrating to the readers his desire to stay true to cultural attitudes at the time. Although Jane first perceives Bertha’s appearance to be a dream, she eventually believes this to be reality even with Rochester trying to convince her otherwise. Bronte’s use of Bertha’s reappearance reinforces the idea that the wedding between the two parties cannot happen seeing that he is technically still married to Bertha. Seeing that Victorian culture at the time was very conservative, the use of Bertha shredding Jane’s veil and appearing in Jane’s room prior to the wedding allows for the readers to gain insight on Bronte’s attempt to accurately reflect the cultural standing at the