Societal Expectations In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
In Victorian times, social norms and societal expectations drove most societal behaviors. In Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre, the protagonist Jane must suppress certain feelings and ideas in order to fit into society. As a child, Jane did not restrict her true feelings, which enabled her to speak out against her superiors. As a result of Jane’s inappropriate behavior, she is sent to boarding school at Lowood. At Lowood, she learns what is socially acceptable for a woman of her class. Once she graduates from Lowood, she receives a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Brontë immediately contrasts the wealthy owner of Thornfield Hall, Rochester, to Jane through their opposite socioeconomic statuses. His wife Bertha, whom is locked in the
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Bertha is often referred to as a "madwoman" (338) and therefore, must be “kept under watch and ward" (336). Brontë implies that Bertha must be kept from society since her characteristics make her “mad” to society as they counter social norms. Jane is in her room when she first hears Bertha’s noises. Brontë parallels Jane to Bertha through Jane’s description of Bertha’s noises. Jane says, “The sounds...had probably been heard only by me; for they had proceeded from the room above mine" (236). Jane can only hear “the sounds” of Bertha, rather than physically seeing her, which suggest that she is imagining them. Brontë emphasizes the closeness when she has Jane describe the noise: "I thought at first the goblin-laughter stood at my bedside: or rather crouched by my pillow" (173). Brontë’s use of the word “goblin” implies evil, suggesting that Bertha is evil because she threatens patriarchy. Also, by having Jane perceive Bertha as evil, Brontë suggests that Bertha’s actions and demeanor make Jane begin to fear overcoming her oppression. By having the laugh “crouched by my [Jane’s] pillow” Brontë suggests that Jane fears the closeness and intimacy of Bertha’s laugh. Furthermore, Brontë emphasizes the shared qualities of the two characters through Jane’s description of Bertha’s laugh: “it was a
Bertha is often referred to as a "madwoman" (338) and therefore, must be “kept under watch and ward" (336). Brontë implies that Bertha must be kept from society since her characteristics make her “mad” to society as they counter social norms. Jane is in her room when she first hears Bertha’s noises. Brontë parallels Jane to Bertha through Jane’s description of Bertha’s noises. Jane says, “The sounds...had probably been heard only by me; for they had proceeded from the room above mine" (236). Jane can only hear “the sounds” of Bertha, rather than physically seeing her, which suggest that she is imagining them. Brontë emphasizes the closeness when she has Jane describe the noise: "I thought at first the goblin-laughter stood at my bedside: or rather crouched by my pillow" (173). Brontë’s use of the word “goblin” implies evil, suggesting that Bertha is evil because she threatens patriarchy. Also, by having Jane perceive Bertha as evil, Brontë suggests that Bertha’s actions and demeanor make Jane begin to fear overcoming her oppression. By having the laugh “crouched by my [Jane’s] pillow” Brontë suggests that Jane fears the closeness and intimacy of Bertha’s laugh. Furthermore, Brontë emphasizes the shared qualities of the two characters through Jane’s description of Bertha’s laugh: “it was a