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Charlotte Brontë populates the novel with many female characters roughly the same age as Jane—Georgiana and Eliza Reed, Helen Burns and Mary Ann Wilson. How do comparisons with these characters shape the reader’s understanding of Jane’s character? Why, as readers, do think we know more about the female characters than the male antagonists? How does the contrast of male and female perspective shape our view of Jane’s world?
This is Carolyne Marquez.
RE: Miss LoockI think that the comparisons between the characters shape the reader\’s understanding of Jane in the way that there is a common ground and overall mindset in which these girls share. Examples would be that they question what it is they truly desire for their futures, some of them questioning their choices, yet others steadfast in their decisions. This is also a time that that morals and spiritual questions are asked, especially by Helen to Jane, and Jane begins to unravel what life is meant to be and who she is supposed to be. In seeing the belief systems, opinions, and character traits of these other characters, the readers are able to see what Jane really thinks and views things.
As the readers we know more about the female characters then the male antagonist, because a big majority of these females play a role into letting us see the true character of Mr. Rochester. An example is Miss Ingram. We learn many things about her, and while we observe and anaylze who she is, we see how Mr. Rochester reacts to her company. We do not neccessarily need to know alot about him, but rather speculate who he is and what he does when he is and when he is not with company.
The contrast of male and female perspectives shapes our view of Jane\’s world by not only revealing that women see life and realtionships with many different shades and color, while men only tend to see facts in black and white. A women\’s world is basically filled with expectations of a marriage and having a nice family, while men think more of the material things they will have. By seeing Jane\’s world through the perspective of a female, we are able to read and feel the emtions that she feels,and think in the manner that she does.The comparisons between the female characters shows that although Jane is like most other girls, she is not over excessive. While Georgiana is obsessed with fashion and enjoying the world, and Eliza is obsessed with being separate from the world, Jane Eyre is right in the middle. She finds no pleasure in worldly activities, but she does not want to isolate herself from humanity either. Helen is the most godly girl you would ever meet and Mary Ann can care less about anything but gossip. Jane cares about eternity though not as fervently as Helen, yet more than Mary Ann. The comparisons show that Jane is sensible and smart; she does not act in an exaggerated manner but in a modest medium of most other young women.
We know more about the female characters because Bronte wanted to challenge the men who read her book in her time period. She wanted to show her strong beliefs in women\’s rights and showed it through the emphasis of the feelings and emotions of women that the men in her era would never have thought about. Plus, the book is written in third person, but from Jane\’s point of view, so her thoughts and feelings and those of her peers become prominent in the story line. This is because Jane understands women more than men.
Jane\’s world consists of women who are independent and can stand on their own. She believes that both men and women can do certain things and women should not be limited to teaching in a schoolhouse or being a housewife. Jane things that women should have more freedoms and that they should be treated on nearly the same level as the men.Well, when you consider the fact that the term “Plain Jane” came from Jane, it pretty much tells readers that she is plain. Jane doesn’t really know what she wants or who she is. But she is a feminine character, but she is an independent female, she is not afraid to speak her mind and she believes that men and women should have equal rights. Helen however is a timid girl who loves Jesus and believes that Jesus loves her. Georgina only cares about what’s in at the moment and how the world views her. And Eliza wants nothing to do with the world and become a nun or something. We, as readers see that Jane is a normal girl who is smart and not shallow, like the other girls, beside Helen.
Another thing we have to remember is the fact that people who read this in the 1800s thought a MAN wrote it. So it’s like even more special that there are more girls than guys and also that we know more about the female characters because well simply because there are more girl characters. My view of Jane’s world is like she grew up with a bad male influence’s like her cousin John is a jerk and Mr. brocklehurst is the devil. And plus she grew up around girls, she was put in an all girls school so I mean like she never had a positive experience with guys. So like guys see things forwardly and girls see things in different ways and think different possibilities.
I’m not sure if we are supossed to have a question… but just to be safe.
Question: If Jane had a positive experience with the men in her life (John and Mr. Brocklehurst), how would her life turn out? The same or differently?
The comparison of the female characters show Jane\’s foil characters. Georgiana and Eliza are nothing like Jane, they are foil characters to Jane. Georgiana and Eliza are fancy and have many desires for elegant things and are treated wealthy. Jane might envy Georgiana and Eliza, but she does not have those riches and she is just \”Plain Jane\”. Miss. Bronte wants to give the reader a understanding of Jane\’s character and show how Jane is different in her own way. We as readers know more about the female characters because Miss Bronte was a female and Jane is a female. Since Jane is a female we want more females to be her foil or mirror characters because they understand Jane better unlike the male protagonists. The contrast between the males and females in this book gives me an idea that Jane lived in a male dominant world. Miss Bronte wanted to show everyone that men and women could be equal and wanted to break that boundary between both men and women.
When Jane is compared to the other female characters of this book, she is, in a way, the strongest one. She is blunt and tells the truth. Also, as a child, her beliefs were harsher, but as she grew up and gained experience, her views changed. She became kinder and learned to love those who may still not have loved her back (like Mrs. Reed, for example). This takes a great amount of courage, to be able to retract her previous cruel opinion on things around her, and to love those who did not return the feeling.
Females are more open in that they do tend to talk more, and their emotions and thoughts are shared in detail. We have more insight into the minds of the female characters of Jane Eyre, specifically of its heroine, as she relates to us all that is happening and what she feels on the matter. We think we know more about her than someone like Mr. Rochester, who is practically an enigma to us—one can never tell what is going on in his head. By reading what Jane says in the book, we feel as though we can anticipate what she will do in different situations, and how she will react. But with Mr. Rochester, we are left guessing.
The contrast between the male and female perspective aids us in shaping our view of Jane’s world by making us believe that the males, with their mysterious personas, perhaps know more than they originally let on. The women hide nothing, and we know much about them. This leaves us wondering about what the males could be thinking.
I’m not completely sure if we need a question or not, but just in case:
Can a character like Jane, who tells us every little detail about every situation along with her feelings on it, still manage to keep a secret from or throw a “curve ball” on us and catch us totally by surprise?
The comparison of Helen Burns shapes our understanding of Jane\’s character by analyzing their relationship. Helen\’s ability to share from her heart without fear or concern is impressive and attractive in the eyes of Jane. This inspires her to seek answers and influence others in a more positive way, just as Helen successfully did to Jane. It was essential for us as readers to clearly see how powerful Helen\’s life had an impact on Jane\’s perspective of God and the human race. Helen\’s view of Heaven draws Jane to seek answers to her questions about eternity, which helps her throughout her school years. Charlotte Bronte purposely provided more information about the female characters than the male antagonist, because the women were able to provide substantial advice, whether they were aware of it or not, because of their actions, characteristics, and lifestyles. This shows how unique Jane is and how her character stands out tremendously in a dark world of male dominance. Charlotte Bronte wanted to draw the males\’ attention and have them realize how much potential women can have. Jane connected with the women race more than the men because of the harsh treatment that was associated with the cruelty of her cousin, John Reed, and her master, Mr. Rochester. The goal of Bronte was to provide a setting in which women might be treated equally and not regarded as inferior to men.
What was symbolic of Jane eating the porridge, while in a time of despair and loneliness?Hannah Shipway here…
The other female characters in the story foil Jane\’s character, as for example, Helen Burns. Her peace with the world drew out the more aggressive side of Jane when she wanted Helen to retaliate against being punished. Jane\’s two cousins, Georgianna and Eliza, show the difference in treatment between Mrs. Reed and Jane.
Charlotte Bronte lived in a society that did not value the works of women, hence why she wrote under a pseudonym. Therefore, I think this is why Bronte was more detailed about the women characters, to show the world women\’s roles and to inspire women.
Since the story is written in the perspective of a woman, it leaves the reader to view men of the story a certain way, such as Mr. Rochester. Mr. Rochester\’s character is debated as a hero or villain due to the perspective of Jane.Do the men foil Jane Eyre and if so how?
RE: gracieetran
If Jane had a positive experience with the men in her life (John and Mr. Brocklehurst), how would her life turn out? The same or differently?
Jane\’s perspective of men may affected her view on love. This may also explain one reason she may have been afraid to love Mr. Rochester. Jane lived being tormented by John and criticized by Mr. Brocklehurst. These men were really the only male influence in her life until Mr. Rochester. If Jane had been able to perceive men in a different light, she might have perceived Mr. Rochester differently.
RE: abbyscott1998
What was symbolic of Jane eating the porridge, while in a time of despair and loneliness?
The disgusting porridge symbolized a \”disgusting\” time in her life. Jane was living at Lowood when she was forced to eat the porridge. Jane\’s time in Lowood was one of the low points in her life before moving to Thornfield.The other female characters in the book serve as foils to Jane. They bring our her strengths and shortcomings, and not only to the reader but to Jane as well. Jane is well aware of the differences between her and the other female characters, and that causes her attitude toward herself to change. She thinks she doesn\’t have a chance with Rochester because she doesn\’t compare to Blanche Ingram. She looks at the Reed girls with disdain because that is the way they treat her as well. Helen Burns passive and optimistic character contrasted Jane\’s fiery passion and fight. Helen\’s role as a foil shows the reader how much Jane actually develops through her relationship with Helen and her time at Lowood.
We definitely known more about the female characters than the male antagonists. The novel is written from Jane\’s perspective, so obviously, we will learn more about her thoughts than we will of the other characters\’. However, this emphasis on the female characters also serves another purpose in showing that Jane is unlike the stereotypical female of the time who partook in \”ladylike tasks\” and were just subordinate to men. The emphasis on Jane reveals that she is stronger than many of the men that come into her life.
The contrast of the different perspectives of the genders help shape Jane\’s world for the reader by allowing us to see the many ways Jane breaks the stereotype of women during that era. She is not afraid to defend herself against the male authority figures in her life, as opposed to most women who would just act compliant and ladylike. She stands for what is right, even though it hurts her.
If Jane had given in to Rochester\’s pleas to stay, what affect would that have had on the reader\’s view of Jane?
RE: minty
“Can a character like Jane, who tells us every little detail about every situation along with her feelings on it, still manage to keep a secret from or throw a “curve ball” on us and catch us totally by surprise?”
Obviously, it would catch us, as readers, by surprise. I think since Jane shares everything with the readers then she would have trouble keeping a secret. So that is why it would catch us by surprise because we would think that she cannot keep secrets.RE: abbyscott1998
“What was symbolic of Jane eating the porridge, while in a time of despair and loneliness?”Like Hannah said, because porriage is unpleasant, it represented an unpleasant time in her life.
Up until the point where we meet Helen Burns, we didn’t have a full understanding of the way Jane thought and what she believed. But when Helen speaks of her views, we see Jane’s come to light and the ways they contrast. Helen’s Godly mindset brings out the darkness in Jane’s life. I think we know more about the females, is of course because they far outnumber the males, and because Jane is more perceptive of females (sans Rochester) and since we see the story through her perspective, we have a greater understanding of those she understands better. The amount of females in the story shows the way Jane is constantly being compared. Since she is surrounded by so many females, their good qualities bring light to her flaws, and vice versa. Her world is full of comparisons, whether it’s her comparing herself to Blanche, or Rochester comparing her to a fairy.
My question: why do you think she continually compares herself to the women around her?
RE: Grace
Question: If Jane had a positive experience with the men in her life (John and Mr. Brocklehurst), how would her life turn out? The same or differently?
Well I think any difference would have a sort of domino effect to reshape the plot, but I’ll answer how I perceive the question, if that’s alright.
I think she would have a better idea of men if they had treated her positively. Every man she’s come to encounter has failed her in some way, which compels her to draw nearer to herself and to the woman around her. If they had been kinder, I think her perspective on men and her ‘feminist’ views would be different.
RE: Hannah Shipway
Do the men foil Jane Eyre and if so how?
I believe Rochester foils Jane, but not in the common way. It is not a difference that brings out her flaw, it is their likeness. They are both extremely stubborn people. We knew Jane was obstinate, but we didn’t know to what extent it carried. When they fight, however, and we see Rochester’s stubbornness, we see how Jane’s rivals it and how it takes a long time for him to coax her into agreement. Until, he can’t, when begging her to stay, and her obstinance becomes her greatest downfallThe comparisons of these characters to Jane Eyre help show herself as an individual. Helen Burns contradicts Jane\’s own understanding of heaven and revenge. Georgiana and Eliza show the difference of living standards. While Jane is living a simple life at Thornfield, Georgiana is a materialist and Eliza isolates herself. The characters reveal Jane\’s ideology and standards of living. We know more about female characters than male characters, because Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre during a time when women were not allowed to write. Since men could only write at that time, Charlotte wanted to show the importance of women. She thus focused more on them to show the world from their point of view. This shapes our view of Jane\’s world in the same way. Jane sees men and women as equal. By having more female characters around her, she balance the value of importance.
Would Jane\’s view of everybody at Thornfield have changed if she had not met Helen Burns first?
RE: abbiejlee
\”If Jane had given in to Rochester\\\’s pleas to stay, what affect would that have had on the reader\\\’s view of Jane?\”If Jane had stayed with Rochester, the readers would not see her as the independent girl she was at Lowood. Jane was headstrong at Lowood and was not one for being submissive to others. At Thornfield, Jane would have made a more passive decision, which she has not done too much before, and convince the reader that her experience at Thornfield changed her views of the world.
Re: gracieetran
\”If Jane had a positive experience with the men in her life (John and Mr. Brocklehurst), how would her life turn out? The same or differently?\”If Jane had positive experience with men in her life, her life would have minor changes. She would possibly be more open to them. If John Reed or Mr. Brocklehurst treated Jane nicely, she would not be so hesitant towards Mr. Rochester. They might have confessed their love for each other earlier, but leave because of Bertha in the end.
RE: abbiejlee
“If Jane had given in to Rochester’s pleas to stay, what affect would that have had on the reader’s view of Jane?”Up until this point, Jane has been very set-minded. She believes things and sticks to it. For this situation, we expect nothing different. If she had stayed, that would surprise us and ultimately lead us to question why this one thing had caused her to change her mind. No matter how much we wanted the outcome to be different (I being among them), because of her character, it does not happen.
RE: sideofangels
“Why do you think she continually compares herself to the women around her?”Jane’s childhood was not pleasant. She grew up being taught that she was worthless, and this idea followed her into adulthood. Mrs. Reed is no longer around to drill it into her head, but because she has grown up with it, she gives that task to herself, constantly putting herself down since that is what she is used to hearing.
I think that the characters being so close in Jane\’s age allow Jane to be able to receive and perceive the situations that happen around her. Whether it be the unfair treatment that Georgiana and Eliza gave her, or the knowledge of friendship, school, and religion that Helen Burns taught Jane, they were all not a complex situation but an easily obtainable situation to learn from.
I also think that the book tells a lot more of the female characters rather than the males so that we can better feel the relationship, character, and personality of Jane since girls can open up to other girls more easily rather than other men. However, this does change when she meets Mr. Rochester, but without knowing the previous girls then we wouldn\’t have known Jane\’s character before her and Mr. Rochester meet.
This contrast of females and males create the perspective that Jane is reserved towards guys and is very pure in the fact that she has never really been with a guy. When she is with Mr. Rochester then it shows how important and close Mr. Rochester is to her because she has allowed herself to get close to him. All the more reason to love him.\”Should Jane have been truthful to Mr. Rochester about her feelings towards him before she left Thornfield, or was it okay to leave him in his despair with Jane leaving without at least telling him that she will love and live for him for the rest of her life?\”
RE: gracieetran
\”If Jane had a positive experience with the men in her life (John and Mr. Brocklehurst), how would her life turn out? The same or differently?\”
I think Jane\’s life would have turned out differently because I think she had a fear of men being abusive of their powers over her. Maybe if she lost that fear then maybe she could have achieved greater things or at least had less reserved personality which she portrayed.RE: minty
\”Can a character like Jane, who tells us every little detail about every situation along with her feelings on it, still manage to keep a secret from or throw a “curve ball” on us and catch us totally by surprise?\”
I think before the Mr. Rochester incident that she was able of that potential, but I believe that since her greatest challenge was faced with staying with Mr. Rochester or not, then she no longer has the curved ball effect. She overall cares to respect herself by making that the resolution of her answer, and that makes her predictable now.
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