It’s
famously claimed that Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane’s character in answer to a
challenge. She wanted to prove that a
plain, witty, female character could be just as compelling as a beautiful
damsel in distress. She also provided a
feminist critique of many aspects of the Victorian lifestyle. Do you feel like she was successful? If you’d like to do some research on
Victorian life, or Bronte’s purposes – cite some evidence & reflect.
I believe Brontë was very successful in proving that an independent and plain woman like Jane could go far in life and be just as successful if not more than a damsel in distress. I think Brontë's goal was prove this and to show her reader that a strong willed and outwardly spoken female who didn't follow societies rules of woman in the Victorian era could get what she wants Ina. Graceful and honorable way. Jane refused Rochester's money and even when she gained her fortune found more happiness in finding out she gained a family. This shows a direct comparison to Blanche who only cared about money and didn't have a strong willed bone in her body not could she speak for herself. As Jane never feared to be open minded and honest rochester fell more in love with her which shows that she is compelling to men as well. She may have been plain and not very pretty but her Witt and personality drew people to her. Mary, Diane, fairfax, Helen, etc all adored her. Since Jane ended up with a fortune, a family, and a husband whom she loved, Brontë clearly supports that a female can be compelling without being a pretty little damsel in distress.
ReplyDeleteI like how Bronte sets up Jane to seem like a really helpless misguided woman. As if she can't possibly do anything for herself and that she is basically is in need of any kind of help possible. Then her helps comes along within Rochester and she at first jumps on the opportunity he provides such as wealth and marriage how he could better her life but she realizes different throughout the book. She is shown the true way to be help and that is through her trust in God and through the relationship she has developed. Such as with the Reeds and the River's woman really show Jane that she doesn't need a controller such as Rochester to tell her what to do or how to do it. Bronte provides her with role models on how to be a successful woman and be independent. That she doesn't need any handouts from anyone besides God. Putting her faith in religion and in herself that she can do anything with the right push.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that she is successful in Jane as a character. Having a character that is completely different then what people are used to actually draws them in more. She proves to be different from the other female characters from the very beginning as she didn't seem to fit in. Jane was a unique character as she was very independent, and far from a damsel in distress as she often took care of herself. She was one to speak for herself and if she didn't like the situation that she was in she would push to leave. This strong personality in a character I feel is much more compelling than as a beautiful damsel in distress.
ReplyDeleteI would somewhat disagree that she wasn't a damsel in distress, in the beginning of the novel she is helpless and she can't control her situation, I think what makes it different is her coming out of that attitude and moving towards becoming independent. In the end Bronte was most definitely successful at creating the kind of character that she wanted. Feminism, as long as its not taken to the extreme is and important side of a mindset, Bronte capitalizes on this in the novel.
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