Individuality In The Victorian Era

Victorianism was the age of the true woman and the Christian gentleman. People valued the sentiments of character and virtue. They truly believed that all a person had to do to be successful in life was consistently work on becoming a morally right, well-rounded person. A significant part of this were the gender roles deeply embedded into the age. As a Christian gentleman, a man was always right with God and a perfect husband in the home; outside of home, he worked hard and provided for the family.

In Chapter 1, Bronte introduces the idea of Jane’s isolation to help the reader understand where she is coming from; it’s almost as if she is trying to gain sympathy from the reader, as life has not dealt Jane a fair hand. For example, Bronte describes all of the unfortunate events that have occurred in Jane’s life in the beginning of the story. We learn that she is a poor orphan who is reliant on the Reed Family, who treats her poorly. She is secluded behind the curtains of a window seat and reading “History of British Birds”. The window seat is a place of self-imposed seclusion; the red-room is a place of enforced seclusion.

Primary sources are imperative in building a picture of 19th century Britain as they give us a first-hand insight into what life may have being like during the Victorian age. Upper, Middle and lower-class women in Victorian society had a very limited role, however had very different lives depending on wealth. Upper-class women had everything they needed finest clothing, servants and enjoyed everything money could offer however, had very little power. The lower-class women had less choice and although could never rise to an upper-class standing unless through marriage, they had some opportunity to rise beyond the lowest areas of society through work, becoming a prostitute or possibly a kept woman.

Her subjective female voice challenges the gender expectations of the Victorian Era. In the 19th century, strict social rules guided the interaction of men and women. Victorian women weren’t allowed to meet men without permission or supervision. Additionally, most marriages were based on money and materialistic means.

Through a balanced sentence structure, Bronte conveys the present and the past of Jane Eyre’s life. Bronte uses nature as a metaphor to express Jane’s life with Mr.Rochester and her current situation. Starting from the first part of the sentence, Bronte marks the time of this drama which takes place in “midsummer;” however, the appearance of a “frost” is unusual during the season. Metaphorically, “frost” refers to a congelation of the past and the willingness to leave the memories behind. Modifying “frost,” “Christmas” reveals the positivity of Jane.

In Charlotte Perkins’ “The Yellow Wallpaper” we are shown the oppression of one's individuality, particularly women’s during the Victorian period, where men and women became more sharply defined than in any other time in history. In earlier centuries it was common for women to work in conjunction with husbands and brothers in family businesses, but this had changed with the assistance of momentous events such as the Second Great Awakening that swept the nation and gave a rise to more active and optimistic religious sensibility, and the Market Revolution which led to the commercialization of economic life and the decline of household production and work diminishing the economic role of women. This concluded with the complete isolation of women in society. “The Yellow Wallpaper” represents this

During the Victorian Era there was only one thing its people truly feared: nonconformity. This era of time was built on the belief that everyone should be the exact same, that “if you

As a child, Jane was a hardened and rebellious child, shaped by the mistreatment of her aunt Reed and cousins. Her character was reshaped by her experiences in Lockwood and her friendship with Helen Burns. Jane’s education in Lockwood strived to bring her up as a “child of grace” (Brontë 54), wherein she conforms to the norms, in contrast to being a “child of nature” (Brontë 54), one that is individual and unique. Throughout her life, Jane struggles between these contrasting categories. (Benvenuto) Jane’s admiration and friendship with Helen Burns allowed her to compare her ways with someone she looked up to.

Maaz Mian Ms.Cheng PAP English II 24 May 2016 Living in the Victorian Times With it’s Gender Inequality Victorian gender roles were defined as women living very submissive and quiet lives as they were the caretakers and support of their husbands. Men were the leaders of their households and worked and talked about politics with other men. Going along with the Victorian times views, Pride and Prejudice and the documents show women in the way that agreed with the people of this time, and also agreed with Victorian times views of women working.

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.

The titular Jane in Jane Eyre struggles to free herself from the power of others to achieve independence throughout the course of the book. As a child, she fights against unjust authority figures, and as an adult, she spurs multiple unequal marriage proposals. Bronte, through Jane asserts that a woman should be independent from others. When Jane was young, she tried to free and defend herself from unjust authority figures. When Jane 's aunt unfairly confines Jane to the Red Room, Jane launches into a verbal diatribe against her aunt.

She states a more modern view upon the subject about the female role in society where she states a desire that women should be able to do the same things as men, without a judgemental view from society. This view of gender roles was controversial in the Victorian era, but Jane Eyre represents a new and fresh feature in the early feminist movement with a more equal view upon the subject. Though, upon the marriage with Mr. Rochester, Jane shows another side of her feministic character. The independent Jane, starts to question her role in the marriage.

Jane goes against the expected type by “refusing subservience, disagreeing with her superiors, standing up for her rights, and venturing creative thoughts” (Margaret, 1997, p. 325-346). She is not only successful in terms of wealth and position, but more importantly, in terms of family and love. These two needs that have evaded Jane for so long are finally hers. Adding to her victory is her ability to enjoy both without losing her hard-won independence. Everybody has the rights to pursue happiness, to pursue the true spirit of life, which can be seen from Jane Eyre’s struggle for independence and equality.

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

Society and Marriage 2. Mistress or Wife 3. Wealth, Power and Equality: from Governess to Heiress 1. Society and Marriage - Victorian period: marrying out of interest with no regards for affection. Brontë exploits this issue in “Jane Eyre” by showing this darker side of society through the enigmatic Edward Rochester and his lustful family.