...Post-colonial Fiction Essay Assignment 2012 Topic: How does Wide Sargasso Sea revise or alter the way one reads Jane Eyre? Your answer should include reference to contrasting narrative techniques employed by the two authors. Jane Eyre, written in 1847 by Charlotte Bronte, and Wide Sargasso Sea, written in 1966 by Jean Rhys, are two different novels, written in different eras and different backgrounds, thus are strongly related. In general terms, Wide Sargasso Sea can be considered to be a modernist revision of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre; it acts as its sequence. “Bertha” in Jane Eyre is “Antoinette” in Wide Sargasso Sea. However, after reading both novels, we perceive them in a completely different way, as the mainly the character of Bertha-Antoinette is dramatically shifted and is given a previously unheard voice. Wide Sargasso Sea acts like a polyphonic novel in contrast with Jane Eyre which functions as a monophonic one. It is a post-colonial modernist narrative, in where we get a post-colonial point of view. It breaks all voices and perspectives together in which Antoinette has the role of a 19th century heroine in colonial Era. In effect, Wide Sargasso Sea challenges the point of view which we perceive from Jane Eyre since there is a different point of view than in Bronte’s novel. Briefly, Rhys' novel is a retelling of Bronte’s novel where Rhys particularly pays attention to the negative effects that the culture of the Caribbean went through, due to the European colonization...
Words: 1262 - Pages: 6
...Throughout the novel Jane Eyre wrote by Charlotte Bronte, the main protagonist, Jane Eyre, did not strive to abide the social “rules” set in her time period. Taking place back in the nineteenth century, one can imagine how absurd the social standards are. In this time, people were told that if they would happen to go anywhere but up in status, that they would be disowned or looked down upon. The biggest three rules that Jane Broke through the novel include her looks and possessions not affecting her status, the fact that Jane did not marry within the social class in which she was born into, and finally Jane did not stay in the social status she was born into. One of the societal rules Jane broke throughout the novel involved her not being...
Words: 1096 - Pages: 5
...Hide the Crazy Woman - The Figure of Bertha in Jane Eyre Introduction Over the time various famous and not so famous literary personalities have suffered from mental breakdowns. Very often writers themselves have written through their own “madness” and produced mad characters as a result. This is particularly true of many of the leading figures in Modernism, who all seem to have had some odd character traits. But even before Modernism the madman/woman was a very popular figure in literature. Just think of Shakespeare’s famous plays, where we encounter lunatics en masse. One of the most famous madwomen in English literature is Bertha, the locked up wife of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. In this paper I will look at Victorian madness in general and at the figure Bertha more closely. Furthermore I will also look, from a somewhat feminist perspective, at Wide Sargasso Sea, a novel in which Jean Rhys takes up the figure of Bertha again. I shall try to explain this rewriting of a canonical text in a postcolonial context. Historical Madness Early in the Victorian period the madness seems to be lurking in the shadows – especially in gothic fiction, but then madness was very much on everybody’s mind in those days. The Lunatics Act of 1845 required that all counties should have mental asylums, and this led to an enormous increase of mental patients admitted to public care.[1] Before that it was not unusual for husbands to “shut up” their madwomen behind...
Words: 4156 - Pages: 17
...The main interest of this novel is not to be found in its depiction of social class but rather the multiple representation of the main protagonist. Charlotte Bronte uses the character Jane Eyre to represent children who were seen but not heard “ ” A women in a patriarchy society and the treatment of the proletarian by the bourgeoisie. Bronte creates a microcosm were each character represents an aspect of society and through their interaction and treatment of Jane the reader is able to get a true understanding of the multiple themes, the Victorian society and Bronte’s own social and political believes . Therefore this novel is too complex to be simply associated with the theme of social class. Throughout the novel Jane finds herself in a state of isolation .At the start of the novel through the interaction between John reed and Jane Eyre Bronte is able to portray a patriarchy society and show how it starts from a young age “ for they are mine” the use of personal pronouns further indicates his power over Jane . Even the servants recognise his position in the house hold “your master” as if he owns Jane. A Mere child. The use of the word “master” implies that she is his property and that she is below him in statues. . In a society where religion was everything and God was seen as the creator of all things men were seen as the closest thing to God in terms of the amount of power they held clearly demonstrating how insignificant women where compared to men in the Victorian...
Words: 840 - Pages: 4
...Stephanie Huang Ms. Kwan English 4U1 14 October 2011 “Jane Eyre” – Essay (Rough) Individualism is the process of finding one’s own identity. Jane Eyre is a well renowned novel written by Charlotte Bront ё about a plain young woman who goes through life in a very interesting way. Taking place in England during the Victorian Era, Bront ё touches upon the life of one who refuses to fill in the social norms set for women. Being very headstrong and intelligent, the heroine faces love trials, especially with one, Mr. Rochester, who becomes her employer. Throughout the novel, Jane struggles to develop her own identity, but is always being repressed by some force. The theme of identity development is demonstrated in Jane Eyre in many ways. The novel demonstrates three people who help shape the identity Jane longs for and enhances her as a person, or represses her ideologies. Jane’s search for her identity is mainly influenced by the characters Mrs. Reed, Helen Burns, and Mr. Rochester. All the aforementioned characters show a large impact on Jane’s views of the world and of love, helping shape who she is and how she thinks. Firstly, Jane Eyre’s identity search is heavily influenced by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Jane was adopted by her Uncle Reed when her parents passed away when she was very little, but after his death, she was left to his wife. Mrs. Reed always mistreats Jane. Jane would be falsely accused or punished harshly. For example...
Words: 1343 - Pages: 6
...Individualism is the process of finding one’s own identity. Jane Eyre is a well renowned novel written by Charlotte Brontё about a plain young woman who goes through life in a very interesting way. Taking place in England during the Victorian Era, Brontё touches upon the life of one who refuses to fill in the social norms set for women. Being very headstrong and intelligent, the heroine faces love trials, especially with one, Mr. Rochester, who becomes her employer. Throughout the novel, Jane struggles to develop her own identity, but is always being repressed by some force. The theme of identity development is demonstrated in Jane Eyre in many ways. The novel demonstrates three people who help shape the identity Jane longs for and enhances her as a person, or represses her ideologies. Jane’s search for her identity is mainly influenced by the characters Mrs. Reed, Helen Burns, and Mr. Rochester. All the aforementioned characters show a large impact on Jane’s views of the world and of love, helping shape who she is and how she thinks. Firstly, Jane Eyre’s identity search is heavily influenced by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Jane was adopted by her Uncle Reed when her parents passed away when she was very little, but after his death, she was left to his wife. Mrs. Reed always mistreats Jane. Jane would be falsely accused or punished harshly. For example, Mrs. Reed told the maids Bessie and Abbot to “Take her away to the red-room, and lock her in there.” (Brontё 6) all because she stood...
Words: 1318 - Pages: 6
...ESSAY ON JANE EYRE Question: “Jane’s passionate nature and unconventional behaviour is rewarded by Bronte in the novel’s happy ending.” I agree with this statement and set out my reasons below. ‘Jane Eyre’ written by Charlotte Bronte is the story of the life of an orphan set in 19th century Victorian England. In the first chapter Jane is introduced as a ten year old living in the home of her Aunt Reed and three cousins, John, Eliza and Georgiana. She is living with her Aunt Reed only because her husband (Jane’s mother’s brother) made her promise on his deathbed to look after Jane. Jane is treated cruelly and is never loved by her aunt and cousins. From the early chapters of the novel we see Jane’s passionate nature and unconventional behaviour emerging through her confrontations with John and Mrs Reed. In chapter 4 page 37 after Mrs Reed’s meeting with Mr Brocklehurst and it is decided that she is going to Lowood, Jane declares determinedly “I am glad you are no relation of mine. I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to visit you when I am grown up; and if anyone asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty.” In chapters 5 to 10, Jane attends Lowood where she lives for nine years, seven as a student and then two years as a teacher. During this time Jane suffers under harsh conditions, cruel teachers and the strict rules of Mr...
Words: 927 - Pages: 4
...A Comparison of Jane Eyre and Lin Daiyu in the View of Philosophy and Feminism I. Introduction 1.1 A Brief Introduction of Jane Eyre and Lin Daiyu “A Dream of Red Mansions” is one of the most outstanding works of China’s classic novels of realism. It bases on the background of Jia, Shi, Wang, Xue four families’ rising and falling, with the clue of the love tragedy of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu. It truly and artistically reflects the historically declining trend of China’s feudal society. “A Dream of Red Mansions” can also be described as “Girls’ Country”, which is the anthem of female, but also is the threnody of women. The heroine Lin Daiyu, Annatto Fairy, wants to repay the goodness of God Shen Yin, taking her lifetime of tears in exchange for his being saved. Her rebellious sprit and solitary character, makes her as a lotus opening at a secluded place, clinging to her own pureness—for pure you came and pure shall go. She is sentimental and unfortunate, and is doomed to being lonely and pathetical .She, Lin Daiyu, lives under another’s house—Rong mansion, Grand View Garden, and she has no one to complain her sadness to. She is “Yea to the very end of heaven, Where I could find a fragrant grave!” in frustration, “What time the third moon comes, the scented nests have been already built. And on the beams the swallows perch, excessive spiritless and staid” in sorrow, and finally ends up with the sadness of “Flowers fade and maidens die; and of either naught any more is known”...
Words: 8010 - Pages: 33
...that distorts Jane’s image gives an eerie mood, making the reader wary of what is to happen. (links to identity) * Jane imagines how the ghost haunts the room, heightening the sense of horror she feels. The supernatural is a key element in a Gothic novel. * There is an overall sense of foreboding and spookiness that makes the reader empathise with Jane as she is so young. * The lack of realism heightens the sense of the supernatural. * The romantic scene of the rain in the moors sets up the Gothic theme for the rest of the novel. Passion * The purity of her childhood as she endures intense and bitter feelings that arise due to unpleasant life experiences. * She cannot control her temper, and is therefore punished. She is labelled a “picture of passion” as women were expected to remain calm and ladylike. Her anger comes as a shock to everyone at Gateshead, hence her punishment. * Red is the colour of passion, as well as danger and embarrassment. If she cannot learn to control her emotions. She will end up being shunned by society as she does not fit in, and will be considered “mad” and a “savage”. This creates a sense of foreboding as this is a possibility of what could happen to Jane later on in the novel. * This reminds us of Antoinette from WSS. (links to oppression) Family * Shown in a negative light. 10 year old Jane...
Words: 3325 - Pages: 14
...Throughout the entire Novel of Jane Eyre there are many themes that occur. Some small and insignificant that are irrelevant to what’s truly going on and others that would change the entire story if they weren’t introduced or analyzed. Of all of them, four occur the most and are absolutely the most important ones. Those are Entrapment, violence, working for justice, and punishment. Following this further in a more detail depth of point, Entrapment is shown from the very begging of the novel. First couple of minutes, the viewer sees Jane being dragged away, and shoved into a closet were she clearly doesn’t want to be in for she was resisting and trying to escape her faith for the time being. Once she is in the closet with no way out, she is looking around the room is looks scared. She starts to hit the door, trying to open it either by opening it, or buy knocking it down, for she is rapidity hitting the door. Pursuing this forward, the Aunt of Jane sends her away to an orphanage, where she is trapped with a very rude neglecting old man. Mr. Brocklehurst the ungrateful old man makes Jane very first a disaster at the orphanage. He makes her stand up in a stand and makes her endure hunger and humiliation among the other orphans girls. Mr. Brocklehurst, tells all the girls to take a good look at that girl, for she is a lying, cheating, young deceiving girl. Along with this, later in the novel, a different character is introduced but only for a brief period of time, but in that little...
Words: 825 - Pages: 4
...Dr Maria Mårdberg Examinator: Dr Helena Wahlström Table of Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose and main questions ............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Method and material......................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Theoretical approach ........................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Previous research – an overview ...................................................................................... 3 1.5 Introducing the novels ...................................................................................................... 4 2. A comparison of the double oppression in the two protagonists’ marriages.................. 6 2.1 The diminishing and isolation of Celie and Antoinette/Bertha........................................ 6 2.2 The upholding of the white man’s norm ........................................................................ 14 Conclusion............................................................................................................................... 21 References................................................................................................................................24 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose...
Words: 10734 - Pages: 43
...In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Brontë repeatedly uses the imagery of Earthly elements, fire and ice, to present an opposition between two points identified as extremes in the natural world. In the novel, icy and watery imagery illustrate oppressive forces that symbolize emotional desolation for Jane, while on the other hand; fiery imagery represents romantic passion and spirit within Jane, as well as Mr. Rochester. With progression of the novel, imagery of the elements begin to symbolize varying relationships, which reflect upon the characters of Jane, Mr. Rochester, St. John Rivers, and Bertha Mason. Knowing that both elements cannot naturally exist simultaneously on Earth, this metaphorical opposition highlights a need for Jane to gain equilibrium between the two. Similarly, as a naturally occurring fire can rage unexpectedly and call the need for extinguishing, fiery romantic desire also requires the need for control and composure. By using fire and ice both as symbols of physically destructive forces and mentally renewing agents, Brontë constructively illustrates how Jane has learned to balance her desire for passion and need for restraint in order to ultimately achieve personal selfhood and contentedness. Jane embodies a passionate and spirited young girl and will not allow inequality to occur in her presence. These characteristics of Jane’s personality are first seen through her onset of behaviors at Gateshead Hall, for example, in her fight with Mrs...
Words: 2166 - Pages: 9
...Miguel Street Part Two V.S. Naipaul by Jonathan Medina, Karen Montes, Nahir Robles, Pedro Díaz Setting Since Miguel Street is a semiautobiographical, it relates much of what the author went thru. In the novel it’s expressed that is in wartime in PortofSpain, Trinidad. The story plot involves man vs. society. All the social problems in this novel make the setting as a barbaric one, but it’s the same society that visualizes “these problems” as something normal to their everyday living. Social Aspects ∙ Masculinity: There was a constant need to prove this, in any way possible in many aspects: women, work, money, etc. ∙ Disregards towards women: as a way to prove masculinity, men had no respect whatsoever with the woman. ∙ Gender Identity: throughout the novel this works out with socialization and how both genders clash with each other, as masculinity needs to prove itself over feminism. ∙ Visualization of social problems by the narrator: it’s quite interesting when the narrator that grew up with all these problems, and how can he distinguish them as he grows up. Being a witness of this since childhood it what makes this a cycle of path, making these problems “seem okay”. Plot Summary Note: Consider every chapter as its own short story narrated from the point of view of the speaker. Chapter 9: Titus Hoyt was a natural guide, a philosopher, and an active member of the local board. First man the main character knew in Port of ...
Words: 2316 - Pages: 10
...domesticity that still exists regardless of the success of the feminist movements throughout history and in present day; meanwhile, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a great example of women who lived within the “cult...
Words: 1529 - Pages: 7
...Dystopia Regrettably it is at this point that we find a gradual switchover from Utopia to Dystopia - societies whose planning is far from ideal, and which all too often come to grief. As a concept, Dystopia emerges at the end of the long Eighteenth Century, possibly as a result of social upheaval and the long wars. it comes to the fore towards the end of the Nineteenth Century with gloomy forebodings as to the impact of industrialisation. Some go for a mechanical paradise. Others foresee a world order where things have got beyond repair - and that's not just the machines. Jack London in The Iron Heel (1908)sees the collapse of the American republic between 1912 and 1932 with the rise of 'The Oligarchy' (though he also thinks that international worker solidarity will avert a world war in 1913). Dystopia is highly pessimistic in tone. It traces what happens when things go wrong, either in an ideal world which has gone into crisis or decline, or else is a portrayal of of a world where society has collapsed at some time in the past. It is form of writing with a moral - and a warning. The irony is that reality can be stranger than fiction. The finale of The Mission is a case in point. The humanitarian goals of the Jesuit Fathers ironically contained the seeds of destruction for the Missions. The presence not only of rational Indians, but Christianised ones who were highly skilled proved to be too much of a temptation for the bandeirantes, slavers who came across from Brazil and...
Words: 3201 - Pages: 13
