What aspects of Charlotte Brontes Essay - 876 Words

What aspects of Charlotte Brontes What aspects of Charlotte Brontes depiction and use of the character of Bertha Mason are most clearly illuminated by Jean Rhys depiction and use of her parallel character of Antoinette? In Wide Sargasso Sea, written by Jean Rhys in the 1960’s, is a radical critique of the context of English Imperialism and male dominated society within which Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre. In order to both expose and oppose the parallels inherent in Jane Eyre, Rhys intertwines in her novel the two reading positions of feminist and postcolonialist criticism. Rhys demonstrates how both social and narrative conventions mandate that certain categories of women must be devalued if other categories of†¦show more content†¦In Bronte’s novel, Bertha is a silent character. She has no voice in the novel although she is pivotal in the lives of its two main characters. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Bertha is given a chance to speak and be heard. Rhys was convinced in the writing of her book that Bertha â€Å"must be at least plausible with a past, the reason why Mr Rochester treats her so abominably and feels justified, the reason why he thinks she is mad and why of course she goes mad†. Antoinette’s husband in Rhys’ novel, although he is the narrator for the largest section of the novel, remains to the reader unnamed. Rhys has cleverly used this strategy so that the character (in the reader’s eyes) becomes merely a representative of England itself and takes away any personal characteristics to which the reader may feel sympathy for. Also through using him as a narrator, we can see the otherness of the West Indian culture from the English Imperialist culture. The technique also further highlights of one of the key points Rhys was demonstrating in her story, that there is always another side to any story. Rhys explicitly demonstrates to the reader through Antoinette, who tells her husband (regarding Daniel Cosway’s letter to him) â€Å"he lies about us and he is sure that you will believe him and not listen to the other side†, to which her husband replies â€Å"is there another side?† and she retorts, saying â€Å"there is always another side, always†. This is in contrast to Bronte’s story inShow MoreRelated Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre - A Romantic Ending In An Anti-Romantic Novel1166 Words   |  5 Pagesliterature in general to conclude that, yes, it is indeed a good ending because it both fits the prevailing realism of the main character’s worldview, and conforms to the predominant literary trends of the period. The climate in which Charlotte Bronte wrote her magnum opus was one that had almost fully recovered from the rationalist excesses of the Enlightenment. The existing climate had replaced ‘scientific’ realism with Romanticism of the Byronic sort, drawing on the ancient ideals ofRead More A Plea for Help in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1563 Words   |  7 Pagesearly as 1689 (Spignesi 7). One early example of anorexia is present in the novel Jane Eyre. Written in the mid-nineteenth century by Charlotte Brontà «, this book describes a young girl whose personality bears striking similarities with that of a diagnosed anorexic. The life of the main character, Jane, has also been shown to share innumerable similarities with Brontà «s own life. Biographical information from researchers and autobiographical information from Jane Eyre (whether intentional or not) verifyRead MoreJane Eyre vs Wide Sargasso Sea Essay example1635 Words   |  7 Pagescan ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it,† stated Herman Melville. As implied, without theme, no novel can be considered â€Å"mighty† or have any depth. Theme is essential in any work of art. Jane Eyre is a novel by Charlotte Brontà « that takes the reader through the experiences of Jane Eyre, from childhood to adulthood. This includes her love for Mr. Rochester, who is the master of Thornfield Hall, the school in which Jane works at as an adult. Wide Sargasso Sea, aRead More Discuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre.1074 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss Charlotte Bronte’s portrayal of childhood in Jane Eyre. Charlotte Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s ‘Jane Eyre’ was a controversial novel for its time. It traces the heroine from an orphan child to a contented adult woman. Through the trials Jane experiences Brontà « highlights many hypocritical aspects of Victorian society, mainly focusing on the religious hypocrisy of the era. Subtitled ‘An Autobiography’, the novel in parts closely resembles Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s own childhood and her evocation of Jane’s experiencesRead MoreHow Does Jasper Fforde s The Eyre Affair Testify?1419 Words   |  6 PagesHow does Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair testify to the importance of reading in the formation of one’s self-identity? Many aspects contribute to the formation of a person’s self-identity. Whether it be their surroundings, their culture, their language, or even other’s personal identities, they all shape one’s perception of the world, the self-imposed rules surrounding them, and where they believe they belong within it. This world is encompassed with stories, and they contribute to the fabricationRead MoreExplore How Bronte Has Created an Anti-Christian Theme in Jane Eyre1677 Words   |  7 Pageschallenges to the ideal christian way and faith throughout the novel. The eccentric romantic gothic genre and the surrounding supernatural presence lurks around crowds of chapters. The contrastive saint Helen Burns used as a reverence to the good aspect and purity of christianity. Banned after it was originally published.Questioning christianity was highly seen as blasphemous.This novel was considered controversial at the time of its original production, as the victorian England were engulfedRead MoreThe Victorian Century Woman And A Victorian Woman Essay1079 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is the difference between a 21st century woman and a Victorian woman? Most women in the 21st century are exhilarating, lively, intelligent, passionate, and full of life, but who is to say that Victorian women were not? It is said that the typical Victorian woman must have â€Å"inherent qualities of femininity [such as:] emotion, passivity, submission, dependence, and selflessness† (Historical). Most of the Victorian women abode by these social standards and therefore could not speak their true thoughtsRead More Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre as a Coming of Age Story Essay1664 Words   |  7 PagesJane Eyre as a Coming of Age Story   Charlotte Brontes classic, Jane Eyre, is a coming of age story. The main character, Jane, travels from the innocence of childhood through the maturity of adulthood. During this journey, Jane goes through the battle of education vs. containment, where she attempts to learn about herself and about the world. She must constantly battle a containment of sorts, however, whether it be a true physical containment or a mental one. This battle of education vsRead More Poverty and Charity in Jane Eyre Essay1141 Words   |  5 Pagescold, and in need of help. It is St. John Rivers who aids in helping Jane back to health. Through her experiences at Gateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, and Whitcross, Jane Eyre becomes the recipient of the positive and negative aspects of the New Poor Law depicted by Charlotte Bronte in nineteenth-century England. Under the care of Mrs. Reed, Janes aunt, Jane is treated as though she is a wicked and abandoned child (60; ch. 4). Her father had been a poor clergyman (58; ch. 3) and both her parentsRead More Biblical Allusions in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essay1007 Words   |  5 PagesBiblical Allusions in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre One Sunday evening, shortly after Jane arrives at Lowood School, she is forced to recite the sixth chapter of St. Matthew as part of the daily lesson (70; ch. 7). This chapter in Matthew states, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? / (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. / But