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

Jane Eyre A Critical Analysis of Gender Relations in prim Literature Modern society tends to view the Victorian era as whiz of oppression and constraint, despite the brotherly and cultural upheaval of the time. This contradiction refers, in large, to the constraints imposed on the female sexual activity. Women in Victorian England were viewed as inferior to their male counterparts, and were allocated clearly defined roles within society. Their treatment is a sheath that is explored and critiqued throughout the literary works of the time, and subsequent analysis by literary commentators.As Maynard comments (1984) Few observers of the Victorian Scene make water failed to point out the unusual degree of sexual restraint imposed upon social life and promulgated 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 sexual practice restraints of the time. This paper will concentrat e on the figment Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, and published in 1847 chthonian the pseudonym Currer Bell.The adoption of a male pseudonym in itself reflects an belowlying social prejudice towards female novelists, as outlined by the author Averse to private publicity, we veiled our own names under those of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell while we did not similar to declare ourselves women we had a vague impression that authoresses are unresistant to be looked on with prejudice (Smith, 2000). This somewhat disturbing observation by the author sets 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 love story, and concentrates on the main characters quest to find aline love. It toleratenot be classed, however, as a simply romantic novel as the characters quest for love involves a repugn for tolerable treatment, social acceptance, and val ue. In doing so, she questions and refuses to adapt to an array of social norms associated with the era. Janes desire to be loved is plain in the opening stages of the story, in her conversation with Helen Burns if others dont love me I would rather lead than liveI would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest (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 eventual husband, Mr Rochester, in his commencement exercise 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 distu rbing insight into the arranged, and socially acceptable, marriages of the time. Bronte sets her protagonist apart from her peers in her views of love, but advertise cements this difference in her continued criticism of the attitudes of the Victorian class. This is apparent 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 becomes clear, however, that despite Janes attempts to restrain her emotions, she is fighting a losing battle and is becoming increasingly enraptured with Mr Rochester, reacting in a het up 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 hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider (B ronte, 1847).Janes employment as a governess by Mr Rochester further complicates her pip 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 civilized 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 fit the mould of the unassuming governess.Eyres constant struggle with her feelings for Rochester is impacted throughout by the norms of society at the time, and her resilience to them. She is unwilling to marry Rochester while Bertha is becalm in the picture, as it would equate her to a mistress, a position 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 directly you have refused to kiss me. (Bronte, 1847). Despite Eyre eventually m arrying 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 almost masculine throughout the novel, thus portrayed through her personal values and strength 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 same strong drive in seeking compare and independency 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 soci al rule fuelled womens endurance of the condescending attitudes near 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 illustrate how personal virtues are better indicators of character than class. The red-room mentioned in the novel is a metaphorical motion picture 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 uncover through the feminine movement, in which the Bronte sisters each played a significant role in mount off. Eyre displays characteristics of masculinity, such of which in Victorian era would only be confined to that of male prominence.The strong fellowship made between both author and character is evident to the reader. In conclusion, Jane Eyre captures the struggle and oppression confront 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 exceptional character at the time and represents only a small number 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 known in English literature for their historical prominence that made them significant to the era of the Victorians. Their livelihood painted the trail in which their work followed and their upbringing greatly influenced their beliefs and outlooks. The three sisters strong and willing characteristics aided them in delivering what can be perceived as staples in literature, and for centu ries 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 power to in al-Quran 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 North Carolina Press, 1997.Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. fall in Kingdom Smith, Elder and Co, 1847. Hedgecock, Jennifer. The Femme Fatale in Victorian Literature The Danger and the Sexual Threat. New York Cambria Press, 2008. Maynard, John. Charlotte Bronte and Sexuality. Great Britain Cambridge University Press, 1984. Smith, Margaret. The gar ner 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 toy and Reality, Second Edition. London The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1988.