A Study in Jane: The Protagonists of Jane Eyre
The romance novel can be seen throughout a number of human centuries where one possessed the ability to write and distribute it. Such is the case as in the 19th century, however, the novel of Jane Eyre defied conventionality of the typical morally correct being in society. Both protagonists of the novel are described to be deviants of typical society, with Jane possessing man-like traits while Rochester proves himself to be of gray nature unacceptable in a time where religion was so important. The following paper will address the characters of Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester and how they are neither fair nor handsome.
Firstly, the character of Jane Eyre is introduced to the readers as a young girl, living with her aunt and cousin’s and finding herself to be quite
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One can find many foils for Jane throughout the novel, having one for almost every stages of her life, but the one most prominent is Bertha, also known as Mrs. Rochester. She represents all of Jane’s fears about marriage due to the patriarchal society she lives in. The woman has been driven to insanity, and her freedom has been taken away as she is locked up on the third floor, and if Jane had agreed to marry Rochester as he remained married to Bertha, she would have lost her own liberty as well (Siwoku-Awi 7). As well, Bertha highlights the aspects of Jane that Rochester sees in her such as her purity and virtue, having a mind of her own while still believing in God. For Rochester, the most evident of foils to him is St. John, who is seen as the angel while Rochester is the devil. Jane fears St. John for she doesn’t like mysteries or secrets and appears to be too controlling, and is rather cold while Rochester remains intact with his own emotions, whether they are right or
Growing up as a Buddhist Chinese Malaysian in an increasingly Islamic Malay-centric Malaysia, I oftentimes feel like an outsider. Consequently, I was drawn to the outsiders and the social Other in literature during my undergraduate years in NCCU. The presence of the Other and the outsider can be traced from ancient Greek dramas to modern literature, from Medea to the Underground Man.
St. John gets to know her fairly quickly and realizes that she is amazing and beautiful woman. This is why he gets her the job as the governess for Mr. Rochester’s adopted daughter Adele. Jane teaches Adele how to speak English, while at the same time falls madly in love with her father. Who at first glance is not an attractive man by any means. This is a big way that Jane proves herself as a strong and beautiful woman because she never judges a book by its cover.
Finally, the details about society show that Jane recognizes the standards of her victorian society and needs to abide by them. After Jane had thought awhile, she no longer “felt justified in judging” Mr. Rochester and Blanche for “acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled into them.” Though Jane wishes to be loved by Mr. Rochester, she comes to the realization that rich men do not marry lower-class women in her
Both characters, venturing out of their gender roles, find ways to compliment and figure out who the other person really is, and, in the end, a burgeoning love fully blooms. When examining the gender roles of Mr. Rochester and Jane, both are a blend of each and life seems better when conventional gender roles are forgotten. In Rochester and Jane’s first meeting, the two begin to show their blended gender roles immediately. Rochester is first described as having a “dark face” with “stern features”, with a complexion that seems, “ireful and thwarted” (146).
Jane stands up for herself through demonstrating resistance to forces that go against her. Jane does not want to marry St.John. She says what she wants to say "I scorn your idea of love" (471). She believes his love for her, is a mockery. She is not letting him get away with that.
Examine how either text represents either class or gender. Are these representations problematic or contradictory? How do they relate to the plot and structure of the novel? Jane Eyre is a female Bildungsroman written by Charlotte Brontë in 1848.
One of the biggest character foils in Jane Eyre is between Mr. Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers. From the first time we meet these characters, it is easy to tell the two apart. While one is ruled by a religious forces the other is controlled by emotions. Jane has to make a choice, and decide how she is going to live the rest of her life. At the end of the novel, she makes a choice between what is expected of her, and what she wants.
The tactics he employs to get his way also provide insight into a major theme of the novel. The major motive for all of Mr. Rochester’s deception was to win Jane’s heart so he could marry her. He is shown to be very intuitive
{Rochester’s feelings for Jane were more complex and unique compared to
Rochester was a major influence on Jane as this was a critical time she was maturing, yet she did not let him get in the way of her work. The work that was expected of her what always her top priority, Rochester was her second. “I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is,—I feel akin to him,—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him” (Bronte 266). The relationship between Rochester and Jane was undeniable.
First, Jane Eyre’s attributes displays women in our society who are still in search for meaning and love in their lives. Just like Jane’s spirit of passion despite abuse, these women continue to search for respect from other
As an adult, Jane asserts her independence by rejecting unequal marriage. When Jane finds out that the man she was to marry, Mr. Rochester, was already wed, she ran away. Mr. Rochester pleaded passionately for her to stay, revealing his unfortunate history and even threatening to use physical force to restrain Jane. Both tactics failed since, as Jane puts it, her conscience personified strangles her passion for Rochester. Being a mistress to Rochester in addition to being financially and socially inferior to him prompts her to leave him.
The dual roles however prevent him from fully understanding Jane. Due to his authority, he prevents Jane from expressing her feelings. He continuously condescends her, calling her a “blessed little goose” and “little girl”, similar to Rochester patronizing Antoinette. It is clear that he does not understand Jane’s true identity because he only sees the surface of her personality. Their relationship conclusively destroys Jane due to John dehumanizing
Jane Eyre, published in 1847, by focusing on its protagonist’s, Jane’s personality, dependency and self governance. The aim of this study is to look into Jane’s development and analyze her identity with the help of a theoretical framework drawn from psychoanalysis and developmental psychology, and within the context of the Victorian era. The novel focuses on Jane’s experiences and psychological growth from youth to adulthood. Psychoanalytic criticism adopts the methods of "reading" employed by Freud and later theorists to interpret texts or writings.
Topic: Marriage in “Jane Eyre” In “Jane Eyre” Charlotte Brontë rejects the traditional role of women subdued by social conceptions and masculine authority by generating an identity to her female character. Thesis: Jane´s personality will bring into being a new kind of marriage based on equality, meanwhile her choice for romantic fulfilment will depend solely on her autonomy and self-government. Introduction Charlotte Brontë´s “Jane Eyre” stands as a model of genuine literature due to the fact that it breaks all conventions and stereotypes and goes beyond the boundaries of common romance in order to obtain love, identity and equality. 1.