Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey exhibit disciplinary social dynamics as a method of ostracizing. Their Bildungsroman novels effectively articulate how people during the 19th century were disciplined through decorum, which resulted in the othering of “social” deviants, as experienced by their coming-of-age protagonists. Both novels are criticisms of Victorian social constructivism; their criticisms are understood by the Foucauldian discourse analysis: the concept of power relationships conveyed through gestures and language, studied by 20th century French philosopher Michel Foucault—particularly dissertated in his works Discipline and Punish and The History of Sexuality. At the turn of the 18th century, England …show more content…
Charlotte Bronte provides much textual evidence to support the claim that this novel accurately exemplifies how interwoven discipline was into Victorian society. In the first part of this novel, Mr. Brocklehurst, the head of the Lowood School where Jane spends her childhood, says “You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls is not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardy, patient, self-denying.” This quote perfectly illuminates how Victorian society operated as a self-policing community in which many members valued and prioritized the perpetuation of discipline. Everything about his diction suggests that Mr. Brocklehurst views the average Victorian girl inherently operates in the world as an undesirable “other” that must be regulated and disciplined severely to eventually join the “norm” and coexist with the default members of society. The tone is authoritative and commanding, as if this “plan” is a natural process in the raising and grooming of a proper Victorian woman. The result of this type of thought process can be captured in quotes regarding one character who acts as both the discipliner as well as a product of the discipline in this society, Jane’s first punisher, Mrs. …show more content…
Reed in Jane Eyre is archetypal in Victorian society. She plays the role of an unscrupulous woman who exploits her late husband, Jane’s father, for his estate. Mrs. Reed is not only a portrayal of conformity and elitism in the society that limits Jane’s pursuit of individuality, but also, on the sympathetic side, she exemplifies the narrow opportunities for a woman to have an independent life during this period. Most women during the Victorian era were disciplined for their gender by relying almost completely on men for financial and socio-political stability. In this sense, Mrs. Reed is a true prisoner the society in which she lives. Jane says of Mrs. Reed, “…(She) could discover by her own observation that I was endeavoring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and childlike disposition… she really must exclude me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children,” which perfectly illustrates the panoptic-disciplinary relationship between herself and Mrs. Reed; Mrs. Reed observes and judges Jane’s reticent behavior as a child and as a punishment, Jane is experiences alienation and deprivation of opportunities awarded to children who behave
Mrs. Reed likewise separates Jane from the Reeds’ social circle by confining her to the nursery while her cousins spend their days in the drawing room (22) and calling Mr. Lloyd, the apothecary for “ailing servants,” instead of the family physician for Jane’s illness (15), thus placing her among the servants. However, the servants too reject Jane from their group—Miss Abbot told Jane that she is “less than a servant” because she does “nothing for [her] keep” (9). Jane thus
It is ironic that Jane is seen as the guilty party in the incident with John Reed because John started the fight when he slapped Jane. Then when John’s sisters, Eliza and Georgina, go to “tattle tale” on Jane, their mother blames Jane for the whole situation. Jane compares John to a “murderer,” “slave-driver,” and “Roman Emperors” (Bronte 9). During this comparison, she is implying that he is a very cruel and awful person. That he would beat her and boss her around.
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a bildungsroman, a coming of age story that focuses on the psychological development, and maturity of the protagonist Catherine Morland. This essay will analyse the language, and narrative techniques of the set extract, and discuss how this excerpt suggests vicissitude in Catherine’s priorities and relationships. In addition, it will discuss the ‘domestic gothic’ and real life abuse that prevails in ordinary situations. Furthermore, it will argue how Austen’s rhetorical techniques work to encourage reader interest, and to exercise perception, when distinguishing between appearance, and reality. Finally, it will conclude by briefly discussing the significance of the extract within the novel’s wider themes.
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a Bildungsroman, a coming of age story that focuses on the psychological development of the protagonist, Catherine Morland. This essay will analyse the language and narrative techniques of the extract, and discuss how it suggests vicissitudes in Catherine’s personal perspectives and relationships. In addition, it will discuss the ‘domestic gothic’ and abuse ubiquitous in ordinary situations. Furthermore, it will argue how Austen’s rhetorical techniques work to encourage reader interest as well as exercising perception when distinguishing between appearance and reality. Finally, it will conclude by briefly discussing the significance of the extract within the novel’s wider themes.
All through the ages, the Christ figure archetype has appeared in literature and film. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry gives himself to Voldemort purposefully sacrificing himself for the benefit of the Wizarding World. In doing this he becomes the “Savior” and functions as a Christ figure in the novel. The Christ figure also emerges in real life, as anyone who acts as a role model and demonstrates moral fiber at an enormous cost to him or herself. In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Helen Burns serves as a Christ figure in the novel and her fundamental role is to illustrate and reveal the pivotal Christian belief of forgiveness to Jane.
Her refusal to submit to her social destiny shocked many Victorian readers when the novel was first released and this refusal to accept the forms, customs, and standards of society made it one of the first rebellious feminism novels of its time (Gilbert and Gubar). This essay will discuss the relationships Jane formed with the men she encountered throughout the novel and will attempt to identify moments of patriarchal oppression within the story. The first act of patriarchal oppression Jane experiences is quiet early on it the novel, during her childhood years spent at Gateshead. It is here where she must endure to live
There is a close relationship between literature and film and we can see that more and more films come from literature in recent years like Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, a science fiction film named Arrival and so on. In fact, Jane Eyre is a popular story that a number of directors used it as adaption to a film and the 2011 version is the No.35 version of adaption. During to search with key words “Jane Eyre” “movie” and “adaption” on the Internet, I found the 1944 version and 2011 version have more comments. Most audience consider the 1944 version is the best adaption and more classical because this version is closer to the literature, showing the romantic, Gothic and depressed during the Victorian. However, the 2011 version is the newest version, it is with more details so that it can help audience to understand the mental activity of Jane and have more feeling of the actual environment Jane lived.
Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender. The novel incorporates Jane’s frequent conflicts, oppression, isolation and self-examination as she defends her identity and independence. Set amongst five separate locations, Bronte’s skilful use of literal and metaphorical landscapes, nature, and imagery, skilfully intertwines with the plot and denotes each phrase of her maturity.
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” Edward Fairfax Rochester plays a contributing role in Janes development and growth as a character and human being in the Victorian time period. Not only does he play a large role in her independency, but in her emotional and spiritual growth as well. She grows around him whether she likes it or not. Due to Edwards manipulative and seductive nature, jane has to grow and develop in a way that has her frequently questioning her own ideals, whether that be spiritually or morally, and strengthening her independence by constantly refusing her feelings for him and adapting to punishing situations. Edward also opens Janes eyes to a world that is bigger than she realized due to his company at the house, wealth, and opportunities at the favorable Thornfeild manor at which she was employed by him.
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
Examining the 2007 Adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey Screenplay by Andrew Davies and directed by Jon Jones, the 2007 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a fairly accurate representation of the novel. The film stars Felicity Jones and JJ Feild as Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, it also features Catherine Walker as Eleanor Tilney, Carey Mulligan as Isabella Thorpe, and William Beck as John Thorpe. As with many Austen adaptations, the film focuses mostly on the theme of romance and scandal, as seen with the relationship between Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, and in Isabella Thorpe’s immoral flirtation with Captain Frederick Tilney (Mark Dymond). The film, however, also highlights Austen’s satirization of the gothic
Jane Austen lived in a period at the turn from the eighteenth century to the nineteenth century, which was a period of mixed thoughts, which conflicted all the times. Among all the conflicts, the most important one was the disparity in social status between men and women. Not only men’s status was in the center of the society but also common people thought it was right that men were much more important than women were. In those days girls were neither allowed nor expected to study much because they did not have to work for a living. They were supposed to stay at home and look beautiful in order to get suitable husbands.
Charlotte Bronte takes us on a journey from the point which Jane Eyre, the protagonist lives with her aunt and cousins whom very much dislikes her in Gateshead to her going to a boarding school in Lowood, after which she becomes a governess in Thornfield where she falls in love with Mr. Rochester her employer whom she later finds out is married to a mad woman by the name of Bertha Mason, upon her discovery of this she picks up and leaves Thornfield, she then ends up at Marsh End where he meets her relatives. The novel carries us through ever important event in her life, which introduces us to new aspects of her personality, up until her eventual marriage to Mr. Rochester. The novel fits this theme as its protagonist chooses individualism as she refuses to take the role subservience as that of a traditional female of the Victorian era society, she stands up for her rights and want she believes in, she ventures in her own unique thoughts, and stands by her views even if it means disagreeing with those superior to her. Jane comments on the role of women in society and the greater constraint imposed on them. V.S Naipaul’s
Austen’s novels reflect the hardship of women and their attitudes in the eighteenth century (159). Jane Austen describes how the society is divided in her novel. During this time classes became more relaxed. Unlike her other novels, readers admired her description of society.
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.