Jane Eyre: a Critical Analysis of Gender Relations in Victorian Literature

Jane Eyre A Critical Analysis of Gender Relations in squeamish Lit termture Modern society tends to view the overnice age as one of oppression and constraint, despite the social and cultural fervour of the time. This contradiction refers, in large, to the constraints imposed on the female sex. Women in overnice England were viewed as inferior to their male counterparts, and were allocated clearly defined roles within society. Their treatment is a subject that is explored and critiqued through egress the literature of the time, and subsequent analysis by literary commentators.As Maynard comments (1984) Few observers of the Victorian Scene have failed to point out the unusual degree of sexual restraint imposed upon social breeding and published literature. However, it is in the work of the Bronte sisters that one witnesses the most comprehensive, and sometimes startling account of the social and grammatical gender restraints of the time. This paper will repress on the novel Ja ne Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, and published in 1847 to a lower place the pseudonym Currer bell shape.The adoption of a male pseudonym in itself reflects an profound social prejudice towards female novelists, as outlined by the germ Averse to personal publicity, we veiled our own names under those of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell plot of ground we did non like to declargon ourselves women we had a vague painting that authoresses are liable to be looked on with prejudice (Smith, 2000). This somewhat sorry observation by the author limits the tone of the novel itself, and implies what it is exactly that set the Bronte sisters apart from their contemporaries their unfeminine style of writing.Jane Eyre is, in effect, a get it on story, and concentrates on the main fibers prosecution to find neat love. It cannot be classed, however, as a solely ro human beingtic novel as the characters quest for love involves a struggle for affect treatment, social acceptance, and val ue. In doing so, she questions and refuses to adjust to an array of social norms associated with the era. Janes longing to be loved is evident in the opening stages of the story, in her parley with Helen Burns if others dont love me I would rather die than weatherI would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm stony-broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand slow a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my office (Bronte, 1847). This somewhat distressing insight into the young Eyres mindset captures her quest for true love, as opposed to the loveless relationships and marriages associated with the time. This association is witnessed by Janes ultimate husband, Mr Rochester, in his first marriage Bertha Antoinette Mason, she was wanted by my father for her fortune. I hardly spoke with her before the wedding. I lived with her for 4 years.Her temper ripened, her vices sprang up, violent and unchaste (Bronte, 1847). Rochesters summary of the marriage is a disturbing ins ight into the arranged, and socially acceptable, marriages of the time. Bronte sets her protagonist apart from her peers in her views of love, entirely further cements this difference in her continued criticism of the attitudes of the Victorian class. This is presumable in chapter 17 in particular, when she questions her growing feelings for Mr Rochester You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further than to receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protege. o dont make him the object of your fine feelings. (Bronte, 1847) It buzz offs clear, however, that despite Janes attempts to restrain her emotions, she is fleck a losing battle and is becoming increasingly enraptured with Mr Rochester, reacting in a heated manner upon receipt of a letter from him And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went on taking my coffee Why my upset shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider (Bro nte, 1847).Janes employment as a governess by Mr Rochester further complicates her situation and her increasing love for her employer. Hedgecock summarises the role of the governess in Victorian society (2008) in ordinary Victorian life, the governess is the genteel spinster, self-effacing, having no ambitions outside the home in which she is subjected to a life of dependency. Eyre, however, was not willing to conform to ordinary Victorian life, nor was she willing to paroxysm the mould of the unassuming governess.Eyres constant struggle with her feelings for Rochester is impacted end-to-end by the norms of society at the time, and her resilience to them. She is unwilling to marry Rochester while Bertha is still in the picture, as it would equate her to a mistress, a authority that she wholly disapproves of and one which Rochester wishes her to take As a married man you will shun me, keep out of my way just like a shot you have refused to kiss me. (Bronte, 1847). Despite Eyre ev entually marrying Rochester, when his wife has passed away, she refuses throughout to conform to and comply with the social etiquette of the time.Just like her creator, she is just about masculine throughout the novel, indeed portrayed through her personal values and aptitude of character. It can be understood that Charlotte Bronte depicted herself through the life of Jane Eyre, and used her fictional character as one whom modelled and almost mimicked Bronte as a person. Eyre possessed the aforementioned(prenominal) strong drive in seeking equality and independence as a woman. Her refusal in accepting the conformities of the time mirrors Bronte.Bernstein (1997) sets the scene for those non-familiar with the Victorian era in the larger cultural context of Victorian England in which women are not accorded by law or by custom much opportunity to act on their own behalf. This supports the motive behind Bronte and her actions. It portrays the gender roles, which strongly influenced peoples behaviour and identities. This social rule fuelled womens endurance of the condescending attitudes about a womans place, intelligence, and voice. Thus, in turn, Jane became subjected to an uphill battle to become independent and recognized for her personal qualities.Bronte attempts to decorate how personal virtues are better indicators of character than class. The red-room mentioned in the novel is a metaphorical image for Janes entrapment in the life she is expected to lead. A life of entrapment from society, limiting her freedom due to her independent streak, race and foremost gender. Eyres struggles in attempting to overcome the oppression are all of a display through the feminine movement, in which the Bronte sisters each played a epoch-making role in setting off. Eyre displays characteristics of masculinity, such of which in Victorian era would only be confined to that of male prominence.The strong society made between both author and character is evident to the re ader. In conclusion, Jane Eyre captures the struggle and oppression faced by the women of Victorian Britain. Despite the eventual happy-ending to the novel, the lead character is forced to overcome strict social and gender restrictions in order to be with her true love. We see throughout the novel, however, that Eyre is an colossal character at the time and represents only a small heel of women who were quietly moving against societys expectations of them.Charlotte, the eldest of the Bronte sisters, received reputably the most critical recognition with her creation, Jane Eyre. Overall, the three Bronte sisters are highly cognize in English literature for their historical prominence that made them significant to the era of the Victorians. Their livelihood painted the path in which their work followed and their nurture greatly influenced their beliefs and outlooks. The three sisters strong and willing characteristics assisted them in delivering what can be perceived as staples in literature, and for centuries become only stronger with growth and eminence.As Winnifrith (1988) stated the Brontes had the courage to break away from the almost universal belief that sinners merited eternal punishment. This reflects upon their independence and strength in striving for their own beliefs and expressing their opinions. These opinions were of such strong stature, resulting in the superpower to in script their everlasting effect on the literature of the Victorian era and even on English literature as a whole. Bibliography Bernstein, Susan David. Confessional Subjects Revelations of Gender and Power in Victorian Literature & Culture. USA The University of trades union Carolina Press, 1997.Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. United Kingdom Smith, Elder and Co, 1847. Hedgecock, Jennifer. The Femme Fatale in Victorian Literature The insecurity and the Sexual Threat. New York Cambria Press, 2008. Maynard, John. Charlotte Bronte and Sexuality. Great Britain Cambridge University Press, 1984. Smith, Margaret. The Letters of Charlotte Bronte Volume II 1848-1851, with a selection of letters by family and friends. United Kingdom Clarendon Press, 2000. Winnifrith, Tom. The Brontes and their Background hallucination and Reality, Second Edition. London The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1988.