论文总字数：37084字

摘 要

十九世纪出现了许多文学家和伟大的小说家。许多女性作家涌现出来，文学不再是只有男人。《简·爱》是英国19世纪著名的现实主义女作家夏洛蒂·勃朗特的代表作，是一篇带有自传色彩的长篇小说。它成功地塑造了一位敢于为正义、平等、人格、尊严、独立而与生活困境、社会歧视及男权主义进行坚决斗争的光辉女性形象--简·爱。

本论文首先介绍了维多利亚时代背景和本文的主题。其次,介绍了作者和小说。然后分析了简爱的女性意识,追求平等、独立和分析《简•爱》中女权主义的表达。最后, 阐述其历史意义和现实意义。它对当时与当今那些争取平等和自立的女性都是一种激励和启迪。

关键词：夏洛蒂·勃朗特；简·爱；女性主义；平等 ；真爱

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

3. Consciousness of Feminism by Charlotte Brontë 3

3.1 Personal Experience of the Charlotte Brontë 3

3.2 General Introduction to the Jane Eyre 3

4. The Rising of Jane Eyre’s Feminism Consciousness 4

4.1 Fighting with the Aunt-Germinating of Feminism Consciousness 4

4.2 Lowood’s Temper-Growing of Feminism Consciousness 4

4.3 Falling in Love with Rochester-Upsurging of Feminism Consciousness 5

5. The Feminism Consciousness in Jane Eyre 6

5.1 The Pursuit of Equality and Independence 6

5.2 The Pursuit of Self-esteem 7

5.3 The Pursuit of True Love 8

6. The Expression of Feminism Consciousness in Jane Eyre 8

6.1 Metaphor used in Describing Jane and the Mad Woman 8

6.2 Occultation the Challenge to Male Culture 9

7. The Influence of Jane Eyre on the Later Literature and Society 10

7.1 The Interpretation of Jane Eyre from Modern Perspective 10

7.2 Feminism Consciousness in the Modern Society 10

7.3 Jane Eyre: A Guidebook Enjoyed by Modern Women 11

8. Conclusion 12

Works Cited 14

1. Introduction

During the 19^th century, female status was lower than male in Britain. Women relied on men in every respect. At that time, the women had no chance to get the same education with men. Marriage and family life were the whole world to women. With the arrival of the 19th century, the western industrial civilization developed rapidly which made the feudal ideality lose its shackles on the spirit of people. In this social context, women began to awake and demand the equal status as men in the every aspect of life. However , influenced by the idea of enlightenment and human rights regularly, some feminists began to pursue the liberty of individuality and the equality of human rights for women. The first time of Feminist Movement arose in French in the mid 19^th century, and then spread to England and America. In Jane’s time, it was very beginning of the phase of the Feminist Movement. The Movement can be divided into three phase: the first phase was from the mid 19^th century to 1920s, the second phase was from 1920s to 1970s, and the third was after 1980s. The feminism had not a systematic theory, the aim of the Movement was to have legal rights for female.

Jane Eyre is one of the hottest novels that have been researched and analyzed from different perspectives with different literary and art criticism. But up to now, many studies and researches at home and abroad still focus on this work. Feminism has attracted my attention. On the other hand, few have explore and appreciate the spirits of feminism reflected in Jane Eyre.

Through the paper, I want to know the reflection of social realities in the literary works and women’s position in a certain period of history and the improvement of women’s position with the passage of time. And the same time , the author of the paper hope that findings the paper can send out some good example of the females on the present and into the future.

2. Literature Review

Literature Review is divided into two major parts. One part will focus on definition of feminism. The other parts related to the review on the previous studies and researches of this novel.

The concept of “feminism” aroused several centuries ago. Defining feminism can be really a challenging task. A board understanding of it includes the acting, speaking, writing, and advocating on behalf of women’s issues and rights and identifying injustice to females in social status quo. The feminism definition is quoted from the Wikipedia. Feminism is defined as a political movement and social theory in the encyclopedia on line. It provides a critique of gender inequality . And It promotes women’s issues, interest and right. It keeps a watching eye on the injustice to women especially compared with men by morality, society, law and so on. The feminist theorists intend to comprehend the nature of inequality and concentrate on sexuality, power relations and gender politics as the goal. Feminist political activists advocate for political, social and economic equality between men and women. when we discuss the feminist criticism with them , we have to talk the word “feminism”. From the New Encyclopedia Britannica, “feminism”, also called “feminist movement” or “women’s liberation movement”. It refers to the women movement that seeks equal rights between man and women. Women will decide their own careers and life. Women will have equal status with men. Women will decide their own careers and life. It promotes the equality between the two genders forcefully permeating to every aspect. Feminist analysis is to explore the possibilities of using language as an import means for reaching feminist political agenda. They share a confidence in the power language to help liberate women from oppressive circumstances and identities .

Jane Eyre is one of the hottest novels that have been research and analyzed from different perspective . There are many studies and researches at home and aboard focus on this novel. Some critics began to concerto on its plot, its character drawing and so on. At the end of the 20th century, with the emergence of feminist, some discussion on Jane Eyre as the representative of feminism in 1989. Pat Macpherson asserted that Jane Eyre as a story of Jane’s pilgrimage from a bad girl who demolished the Victorian verities, to a good woman. Among Chinese scholars, Zhu Hong analyzed Jane Eyre’s accusation against the patriarchal system and brave description of women’s feeling about love and marriage and point out her strong feminist consciousness in the male-oriented word. The theme of studies on Jane Eyre is an unavoidable topic to be explored. Most critics regard it as a feminist novel. They insist that the theme of the novel is the awaking of female consciousness and the liberty of female. For example, in Wang Pei’s paper feminism interpretation in Jane Eyre . There are many studies analyzing the heroine Jane Eyre’s feminism consciousness from her psychology, behaviors and discourse. For example, Wu Yunyun in her paper named the study of Feminist Discourse of Jane Eyre from the perspective of Foucault’s theories of discourse power and the theories of feminism. This paper analyzes Jane’s power of speech and the aphasia of Berth Mason.

In this chapter ,I review the critical essays aboard and at home. That is always appealing to me. During the 19^th century, female status was lower than male in Britain. However, Jane is not give up. On the contrary, she is so strong and capable of standing up for herself and her beliefs that she becomes a strong woman. Jane is self--respectful in society. Jane is independent in life and autonomous in love and marriage.

3. Consciousness of Feminism by Charlotte Brontë

3.1 Personal Experience of the Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë was a British novelist. She was the eldest of the three famous Brontë sisters whose novels were very famous at that time. It is rare to find three sisters in one family equally talented in writing, yet all suffering untimely death. Charlotte had a difficult life. The Brontë sisters were born to a clergyman’s family at Haworth. Their mother died for cancer, leaving six children to care of their aunt. Charlotte Brontë had an unusual experience in her childhood. They went to Clergy Daughter"s school at Cowan Bridge. The school made a horrifying impression which Charlotte believed to have hasted the death of her two elder sisters in 1825 and to have permanently impaired her own health. Her childhood provided the raw material for her novel, Jane Eyre. The reason she wrote as a man, and encouraged her sisters to write some stories. The practice eventually led Brontë sisters to their careers as novelists.

Charlotte was one of the earliest feminist. Though Charlotte only left us four complete novels, she has had great influence in the history of English literature. In literature, though women"s literature was ignored by literary critics. Sao Cypriot reply bluntly told her ‘Literature is not a woman’s business, you do not write poetry talent’. Charlotte still insisted on writing when she was refused . One of the poet wrote to his suggesting that it was not a woman’s business in this area. She answered that she could do it. She wrote the same principles when she spoke of impulse and feelings of the mind. I arrived at an age when I have to do something for myself. Charlotte never gave up in this field. Charlotte had not accept the convention of the beautiful heroine. Charlotte would like to told them that she would show you a heroine as plain and small as herself. Maybe it was one of the earliest Girl power movement. So she wrote the novel of Jane Eyre.

3.2 General Introduction to the Jane Eyre

The novel is a first-person narrative of the title character. The novel Jane Eyre was published in 1847. Jane Eyre is one of only left us four complete novels by Charlotte Brontë. It is the most famous British novel in that period.

Jane Eyre was divided into five parts: Jane is emotionally and physically abused by her aunt and cousins at her childhood at Gateshead ; Jane not only acquires friends and role models but also suffers privations and oppression her education at Lowood School; Jane obtains a post as governess of Thornfield Hall. Edward Rochester is attracted her sharp wit and independence, and they fall in love ; Jane is taken in and cared for by St John Rivers and his sisters in Rivers family time, and that Jane has a lot of money from her uncle; Jane returns to Thornfield Hall, and then she get married with Rochester at the Ferndean in the wood.

In its internalization of the action — the focus is on the gradual unfolding of Jane"s moral and spiritual sensibility and all the events are colored by a heightened intensity that was previously the domain of poetry — the novel revolutionized the art of fiction. Charlotte Brontë has been called the "first historian of the private consciousness" and the literary ancestor of writers like Joyce and Proust.

The novel contains elements of social criticism, with a strong sense of morality at its core, but is nonetheless a novel many consider ahead of its time given the individualistic character of Jane and the novel"s exploration of classism, sexuality, religion, and proto-feminism.

4. The Rising of Jane Eyre’s Feminism Consciousness

4.1 Fighting with the Aunt-Germinating of Feminism Consciousness

In the beginning of Jane Eyre, Jane lived in her aunt"s family, Mrs. Reed. Jane is treated badly by her aunt in Gateshead Hall. The boy John liked to terrorize Jane. Once in an outbreak with John, Jane shot back and be locked in a room. Jane was ill that she was locked in a room for one night. Her early feminism came out at that time. It is the first time through action to make her resentment. She was brave. She dared to tell her aunt how she wants to do. She said: “People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted.” Her aunt is very afraid. Jane dared to against her aunt unfair punishment. Now Jane’s self consciousness began panting in her mind. Jane is not realized that it is consciousness of feminism. Because she is very young.

4.2 Lowood’s Temper-Growing of Feminism Consciousness

Jane was sent to school on advice of a doctor who understands that Jane’s life and hope that getting her away from Reed family will make her life better. Jane had nine years time to stay at the school in Lowood. Jane’s early years at Lowood prove to be a period of considerable tribulation, as she endures harsh conditions , cruel teachers, and the tyranny of Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane has intelligence and confidence in the eyes of society, but she is not rich. So Jane is only a burden in the eyes of society.

This section is the theme contrast pattern of religious thought represented by Mr. Brocklehurst and Helen Burns. The school’s headmaster is Mr. Brocklehurst. He is abusive man. He is a cruel man. He is hypocritical man. He preaches doctrine of poverty and poor students in the use of the school to create a rich and luxurious lifestyle for their luxury homes.

Jane has a good friend called Helen Burns. But they have different character. Helen thinks that people should bear, and she did not resist when the teacher punished her. Helen reflected rather than preaching Christianity love and forgiveness. But Jane doesn"t agree with Helen. Helen"s endurance and the doctrine is different Jane"s love believe in fairness and self-esteem .

4.3 Falling in Love with Rochester-Upsurging of Feminism Consciousness

Jane is very happy when she has her work as a governess at Thornfield Hall. This is place that a story of her major events. Rochester is a rich gentleman with high social status and reputation. Although Rochester is one of upper class, they falls in love. Jane thinks that the marriage based on true love. On the basis of marriage is based on equality.

“Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heart less? You think wrong! and we stood at God’s feet, equal, --- as we are!” (Brontë, 2002:396). Her aim is to protect her honor and independent. When Rochester buys diamond necklace, bracelet, ring ,etc .,which means to bind her, she refuses those gifts and reminds her, “ I shall continue to act as Adele’s governess; by that I shall earn my board and lodging, and thirty pounds a year besides.”(Brontë, 2002:423) Her dignity is inviolable. Although Jane pursuits of happiness and love, she will never sacrifice her dignity and independence of the cause of love.

She does not accept other’s husband. When she knows that Rochester has a mad wife locked for several years. Jane does not accept Rochester. She has her self-respect and decides to leave. Finally, Rochester was blind, but free. Jane is still chose to marry him. She followed herself mind and found the true and equal love in the end. She did not violate the laws and no against herself and made her own master. She found that truly equal love in the end.

5. The Feminism Consciousness in Jane Eyre

5.1 The Pursuit of Equality and Independence

Jane’s parents died when she was young, and her uncle was a kind person, but unfortunately her uncle died after a few years. Mrs. Sarah Reed dislike Jane. Her aunt was not regarded Jane as a lucky person and her three children neglect and abuse Jane. They dislike Jane’s plain looks and quiet yet passionate character. These only relatives of Jane Eyre should have sympathy and take care of this pitiful little girl, on the contrary, they always humiliate and criticize her. Cold and disparaging, Aunt Reed always treats Jane Eyre as an encumbrance inferior to a maid and takes her as a doll to show her hypocritical generosity. Eventually one day, little Jane had an argument with her cousin and was beaten. Jane was ill that she was locked in a room for one night. Her early feminism came out at that time. In the face of Mrs. Reed, Jane does not accept that she is regard as inferior. She finally speaks out against discriminations to her with sharp and cold exposure. When Mrs. Reed blames Jane for telling a lie out of all reason, Jane defends herself perversely: “I’m not deceitful. If I were, I should say I loved you, but I declare, I don’t love you. I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed, and this book about the liar, you may give to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I” (Brontë, 2002:63).

In other people’s opinion, Jane should be thanks to her aunt rather than being rude. When Jane will leave the Gateshead to the charity school, Mrs. Reed thinks she can make Jane frightened by her status and decides to give a hypocritical and sanctimonious talk to guide Jane to express gratitude in front of Mr. Lloyd, the apothecary. But Jane refuses to be this rich lady’s doll, being treated as unemotional and shameless. She retorts back straightly and powerfully:

“How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth. You think I had no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness, but I can’t live so, and you have no pity. I shall remember how you push me back-roughly and violently pushed me back into the red room, and locked me up there-to my dying day. Though I was in pain, though I cried out, have mercy! Have mercy, Aunt Reed!” (Brontë, 2002:64).

Jane’s rebellion against Mrs. Reed and John represents her feminist consciousness in getting esteem from other people as a decent and respectable person. Jane learned a lot at boarding school. She became much stronger and independence. The orphanage of Lowood is the name of a charity, but it is a hell in fact. Her understanding of esteem becomes deeper when Jane Eyre’s staying in the orphanage of Lowood. She is aware of a fact that, even in the face of powerful and authoritative people like the chief inspector of this charity school, Brocklehurst, as long as her esteem and dignity hurt ruthlessly, she will never submit but rebel against it decidedly.

5.2 The Pursuit of Self-esteem

The whole time spending in Thorn field is the most splendid part of the whole book. Meeting with Rochester and fell in love with him reflected the feminism in Jane and her new thoughts. Jane loves Rochester with all her heart and Rochester’s status and wealth make him so high above for Jane to approach, yet she never feels herself inferior to Rochester though she is a humble family teacher. She believes they are fair and should respect each other. In fact, it is her uprightness, loftiness and sincerity that touch Rochester. Rochester feels from the bottom of his heart that Jane is the spiritual partner he always longs for. When the heroine is moved by his whole-heartedness, they fall in love deeply. But at the time of their wedding, she finds the fact that Rochester has had a legal wife. Jane feels heartbreaking on this news, and it makes her trapped in a dilemma whether to stay or to leave. She says to Rochester: “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God, sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by men when I was sane, and not mad as I am now, laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation, they are for such moments as this when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigor, stringent are they, inviolate they shall be.” (Brontë, 2002:43).

She had a deep affection for Rochester, but she could not bear her marriage any compromise. She is the whole one and cannot be laughed or argued by others in this aspect. She wouldn’t give up her independence and self-respect. And she chose to leave her lover. She wanted to start life again

We know that Jane returns to Ferndean Manor and gets married with Rochester at the last. Mr. Rochester then loses sight of both eyes and disabled. Jane Eyre wastes no time to return to Thornfield Hall in this situation. She says: “I find you lonely, I will be your companion, to read to you, to walk with you, to sit with you, to wait on you, to be eyes and hands to you. Cease to look so melancholy, my dear master; you shall not be left desolate, so long as I live” (Brontë, 2002:310).

She says: “I love the people I love is that to make a sacrifice? If so, then certainly I delight in sacrifice” (Brontë, 2002:451). Jane Eyre does not think that she is a victim. In most people’s eyes, no one wants to marry a disabled man and who has lost his wealth. But as to Jane, she is different from other people. True love is the most important between two people.

As a feminist woman, she represents the insurgent women eager for esteem. Without respect from others, women like Jane cannot get the real freedom. Jane Eyre is unique in the Victorian era.

5.3 The Pursuit of True Love

The pursuit of true love is one of the most important things in all of Jane Eyre’s life. It cannot be measured by status, power or property and so on. Love in Jane Eyre’s understanding is pure. She is expected to get more than a consolable true love when she experienced a helpless childhood and a miserable after puberty. She experienced a lot in the pursuit of true love on the road. During this period, Jane covered her name and wanted to make a new living. She as a teacher in a small village. She made friends with John and his sisters. John is a handsome boy. He asked Jane to marry him, but she refused to him, this is a reflection of her determination of iron in the pursuit of true love. In a word, she did not want to be a ruthless love. She knew clearly that humiliation of marriage is not a true love. He made Jane"s marriage just because he thinks that Jane is a good choice and a preacher"s wife. He found that Jane is good, firm and indomitable. Because he just need the assistant. Jane said if she join in St. John"s, she give up half herself and if she go to India, she will premature death. Jane insisted on true love should be based on equality, mutual understanding and respect. So she refuses John’s proposal.

剩余内容已隐藏，请支付后下载全文，论文总字数：37084字