Theme Of Patriarchy In Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre (1847) is a classic text which has been studied and interpreted by many scholars since the time of its publication. This essay considers the proposition suggested by the feminist writers Gilbert and Gubar (1984, p. 46) that the book is part of a wider literary tradition that offers polarised images of women, such as “angel and monster, sweet dumb Snow White and fierce mad Queen”. It briefly considers the theory of patriarchy and its effect on literary activity in the nineteenth century. It follows with a discussion of the sweet, dumb characters of Helen Burns, Adele Varens and Blanche Ingram and the fierce mad characters of Mrs. Reed, Grace Poole and Bertha Mason. The main Jane Eyre, is also examined, with

Jane’s childhood friend, Helen Burns, is a good example of a highly idealised, angelic view of women. She is kind and gentle, but importantly for the story, she dies before she leaves the school, and this tragedy preserves her in a state of unrealistic goodness for ever. She is often described in terms that make her literally dumb, since she does not speak: “she [Helen] kept silence” (Bronte, 1847, p. 102); “but she [Helen] said nothing” (Bronte, 1847, p. 106); “Helen … obeyed the monitor without reply” (Bronte, 1847, p. 108). This submissiveness befits the role of a lower-class woman who must work to earn her living, and accept without complaint, all the limitations placed upon

According to Gilbert and Gubar (1984, p. 142) Jane is a “rebellious, dissatisfied inquirer” who refuses to accept the lowly social position that her poverty and lack of male guardian impose upon her. She knows how to play the submissive role of governess, but inwardly she is angry at the injustices of the world, and she longs to escape the confinement of her role, while at the same time afraid of being cast out, penniless to fend for herself. The tension between her anger at the injustice of social structures, and her desire to find favour with Mr. Rochester, is acted out in the memorable dialogues between Jane and Mr. Rochester. He acknowledges her good qualities: “You are original … and not timid. There is something brave in your spirit …” (Bronte, 1747, p. 717). The ups and downs of their relationship reflect the differences of gender and social class that both attract and repel