This post is aimed to describe the patriarchy in Jane Eyre, a novel by Charlotte Bronte.
Patriarchy, and gender politics in Jane Eyre (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
The Victorian era was often marked by patriarchal domination. The gender roles during this era were more sharply defined than any time in the history so much so that even the very author of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte too had to succumb herself to this domination. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Charlotte Bronte originally published Jane Eyre and all her works under the male pseudonym of Currer Bell because during the Victorian era women writers were judged too softly and Bronte did not want her audiences to judge her work on basis of her being a woman. Jane Eyre, one of the most iconic works of Victorian literature the struggle of women during that era very prominently in a patriarchal society, which can be considered ahead of Bronte’s time. Through the character of Jane, the female protagonist of the novel, Bronte, portrayed the hidden desires of a Victorian woman, for education, economic independence liberation and equality. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
The novel reflects the gender biasness and the patriarchal notion of the era from the very beginning of the story, that is, from Jane Eyre’s childhood itself. Although Mr Reed, Jane’s uncle has passed away, his son John Reed was very much aware on the expectations put on him by the patriarchal society. Both Mrs Reed and her servant Miss Abbot treat Jane cruelly. Due to Jane’s outspoken and straightforward behaviour she was not considered to be a desirable girl child. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Women during that time were not labelled as good women if they seem possess such qualities and it was also believed that even God also disregards such qualities in women. Miss Abbot once is found telling about Jane, “God will punish her”. Again the treatment of Mr Broklehurst, a minor antagonist and the supervisor of Lowood School, reflects how the males of the society during that time considered women to be submissive in nature, any unconventionality shown by an woman makes her an evil in the eyes of the people. He enjoys his power of making the girls quiver and he also believes that God is pretty okay with it. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
The public education though, changed drastically during the Victorian Age, but there were significant gaps between social class and genders. Schooling was considered to be more significant on boy’s case, while girls were often taught in their homes by governors or were sent to charity schools as that of the Lowood School in Jane Eyre. Here students were taught the teachings of God, so that the girl children grow up to become dignified women. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Not only the education of girls was neglected, but the job opportunities were also quite less. Even when Jane was an intellectual and she loved reading, the only job opportunity visible to her was that of a governess or a teacher. Women were not regarded of being capable to handle other jobs.
The ancestral manor of Thornfield Hall is also depicted as a patriarchal institution in Jane Eyre. Though, the owner, Edward Rochester was liberal and seemed to be equal in thought with Jane, his behaviour with his wife Bertha Mason reflects patriarchy and male domination. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Bertha’s act of burning down of the house of Thornfield , depicts her burning down of the ancestral manor of patriarchy. Her husband, Rochester over the years has treated her like a submissive being. Throughout the novel she has no representation of her own and is instead described by her husband who does not bothers to give her the respect and dignity she deserves to be given. She was the target of the patriarchy and her gender allowed Rochester to treat her like a ‘mad woman’ and to lock her up in the attic. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
The character of St. John Rivers although first appeared to be perfect, but Jane detected a restlessness or hardness under his seemingly even tempered features. Jane often describes Rochester’s eyes as flashing and flaming, whereas she constantly associates St John with rock, ice and snow. Marriage with Rochester for Jane represents the abandonment of principle for the consummation of passion, but marriage to St John would mean sacrificing passion for principle.
When St John offers Jane to come to India with him as a missionary, St John offers Jane the chance to make more meaningful contribution to the society than she would as a housewife. Joining St John would require Jane to neglect her own legitimate needs for love and emotional support.
Thus, in this manner the novel Jane Eyre represents patriarchy. Throughout the novel the readers are exposed to the various gender inequality faced by women of the Victorian Era, and although the female protagonist Jane too had to deal with patriarchy since her early childhood to her meeting with St John, she did not choose to remain a victim of patriarchy, rather she chose to live her life by her own terms without sacrificing her independence.
How Thornfield Hall reflects Patriarchy in Jane Eyre?
Bertha’s act of burning down of the house of Thornfield , depicts her burning down of the ancestral manor of patriarchy. Her husband, Rochester over the years has treated her like a submissive being. Throughout the novel she has no representation of her own and is instead described by her husband who does not bothers to give her the respect and dignity she deserves to be given. She was the target of the patriarchy and her gender allowed Rochester to treat her like a ‘mad woman’ and to lock her up in the attic.
How Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre represents the condition of women during the Victorian Era?
The novel reflects the gender biasness and the patriarchal notion of the era from the very beginning of the story, that is, from Jane Eyre’s childhood itself. Although Mr Reed, Jane’s uncle has passed away, his son John Reed was very much aware on the expectations put on him by the patriarchal society. Both Mrs Reed and her servant Miss Abbot treat Jane cruelly. Due to Jane’s outspoken and straightforward behaviour she was not considered to be a desirable girl child. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Women during that time were not labelled as good women if they seem possess such qualities and it was also believed that even God also disregards such qualities in women. Miss Abbot once is found telling about Jane, “God will punish her”. Again the treatment of Mr Broklehurst, a minor antagonist and the supervisor of Lowood School, reflects how the males of the society during that time considered women to be submissive in nature, any unconventionality shown by an woman makes her an evil in the eyes of the people. He enjoys his power of making the girls quiver and he also believes that God is pretty okay with it. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
The public education though, changed drastically during the Victorian Age, but there were significant gaps between social class and genders. Schooling was considered to be more significant on boy’s case, while girls were often taught in their homes by governors or were sent to charity schools as that of the Lowood School in Jane Eyre. Here students were taught the teachings of God, so that the girl children grow up to become dignified women. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Not only the education of girls was neglected, but the job opportunities were also quite less. Even when Jane was an intellectual and she loved reading, the only job opportunity visible to her was that of a governess or a teacher. Women were not regarded of being capable to handle other jobs.
The ancestral manor of Thornfield Hall is also depicted as a patriarchal institution in Jane Eyre. Though, the owner, Edward Rochester was liberal and seemed to be equal in thought with Jane, his behaviour with his wife Bertha Mason reflects patriarchy and male domination. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
Bertha’s act of burning down of the house of Thornfield , depicts her burning down of the ancestral manor of patriarchy. Her husband, Rochester over the years has treated her like a submissive being. Throughout the novel she has no representation of her own and is instead described by her husband who does not bothers to give her the respect and dignity she deserves to be given. She was the target of the patriarchy and her gender allowed Rochester to treat her like a ‘mad woman’ and to lock her up in the attic. (Patriarchy in Jane Eyre)
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