Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags (Chapter 12).
Quotation above taken from chapter 12 of Jane Eyre, shows the reader Jane's beliefs on female independence through her thoughts. Jane desires to see more of the world and have more interaction with its people. While she appreciates her simple life at Thornfield, she regrets that she does not have the means to travel, and she expresses her thought by addressing lower and upper class women. Through this novel we see that Jane posses the desire to gain independence and freedom from the suppressing society that she lives in. In the quote she says "women feel just as men feel" in this part we get the sense that Jane beliefs that men and women should posses equal rights, "making puddings and knitting stockings", this part shows that Jane beliefs that women should not just stay confined to household chores. We as a reader see her proving her statement when she works as a teacher and learns to survive on her on. From reading Jane Eyre, I gained an understanding of women's point of view in England during that time, I believe that Jane has powerful characteristics that allowed her to survive in the male-dominated society and rise above others to achieve her true love.
- Semarn K
Great post! It really gives you an idea of how women felt during that time period. As well as showing how women want to act during this time period, Jane also shows that women can be just as smart as men. Although she acts politely most of the time, we, as readers, are aware of her internal struggles and thoughts. This shows that even the more compliant women of the era may have been hiding their equal minds behind a veil of politeness.
ReplyDeleteErica W.
I loved your post Semarn!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWomen were often confined to their homes and not challenged to explore their talents and abilities during that era, which is a shame. I personally really value independence and freedom, so I can sympathize and relate to Jane's thoughts on sexism.
I completely agree! Women back then were not only confined by the men in society to stay in a certain women's sphere, but they were also refined by the fact that they really had to means by which to travel around with. Jane commonly faced this problem because it seemed as if whenever she needed to get anywhere it would take hours in an uncomfortable carriage. Good quote, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteSapir L.
Charlotte Bronte is truly an effective communicator is she not? I love the gumption and virtue she gives to Jane's character! Like you said, it allows her to make a strong statement about the need for gender equality. Though Jane desires to do right and be content in her place, her headstrong, passionate character causes her sometimes to speak out defiantly against what society wants. I love the line "I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh; - it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal;- as we are!"
ReplyDelete-Tori Greaves
Great quote! So far I have only commented on posts about Jane Eyre, because I have been interested in the thoughts of those who chose to read it. From the other comments above, I can tell that Jane is a real spit fire! Tess isn't so much, but she sure does know how to handle herself. Being able to move on from the horrible event she encountered really reveals her strengths. As I'm sure Jane's strengths are revealed through her encounters both at her Aunt's home as well as the orphanage.
ReplyDelete-Meredith K.
When I was reading the novel, this quote also stuck out to me because of how blunt and honest Jane was being about how she felt towards the treatment of women in her time. It is interesting to think about how women must have felt at this time, because surely Jane wasn't the only one to feel this, and wonder how they were confined to their low level in society. In the patriarchal society of 19th century England, it is obvious that men did not take into consideration that women had the same feelings and thoughts that they did and thought they would be satisfied with the chores they were assigned, or at least did not want them at their level that they established.
ReplyDeleteLove your post! while reading, the feeling of confinement Jane emanated throughout the novel is explained by the quote. As I believe it is the novel's primary issue. Again and again it is introduced. From here time with the Reeds to here time at school. She was always limited far beyond that of the men.
ReplyDeleteJ. Keagy
I agree with your post that Jane felt that both men and women should be equals because when you really look at the two,we really are kind of the same. We both have our strenghts and weaknesses, so to me they are pretty much the same. To me, it was amazing how Jane was able to see this even during that time and in that era.
ReplyDelete-C. Rodriguez
After reading Jane Eyre, I too had a better understanding of how women felt back in the Victorian Era. I sincerely feel for Jane Eyre and what she had to go through in order to reach happiness. I admire her courage and perseverance to accomplish what she needed to. Can you imagine a world where women weren't equal to men? How would that change the way we interact? I would love to hear your response to these questions. Keep up the great work on your blogging.
ReplyDeleteDragonfist Bandits (Joel B.)
I absolutely adore Jane as the protagonist of this novel, even though I barely read it because I started reading Tess. I feel grateful that I wasn't born in the Victorian Era. When I was reading first few chapters, I was horrified by Jane's experiences that she had to go through. What makes a girl so different from a man, in terms of ability and potential as an individual?
ReplyDeleteChloe K
I totally agree with the quote you presented to us. Women are equal to men, have the same feelings, and require the same care and attention. I agree with Chloe when she said she was thankful to ot be born in this era, for I am extremely thankful for the rights I have. ~Alyssa Are.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good quote that represents Jane Eyre. She is a proud person and doesn't let men control her life. I believe Bronte conveys a good message for women to be independent like Jane.
ReplyDelete-stephanie k
Thank You!!! guys for all the responses, agreeing with Chloe I am also glad that I wasn't born in the Victorian era. I believe that it doesn't matter that if your man or women because above all of this we are humans and we should treat each other with equal respect. Joel, thanks for commenting and I loved our questions. Our generation that lives in America were women and men are all treated equal, we can't even imagine what it would be like to live in victorian era. However many women that live in third world countries face the same type of consequences on daily basis like Jane. Many women face domestic violence, sexual harassment, and much more. Some of them can't even go to court for protection of their rights. So I believe that not only should we be thankful for not being born in Victorian era, but also that we live in a country where both men and women receive the same rights.
ReplyDeleteI noticed this quote too, and I was surprised at how feminist this statement sounded. Through this statement, Charlotte Bronte is actually implying that women are the intellectual and emotional equals of men, which was not common during this time period. During the novel, Charlotte Bronte often hinted towards some pro-feminist leanings, though this statement is the most obvious in stating her beliefs.
ReplyDelete-Rebekah Adeyemo
great post! the quote expresses how women werent going to take anything for granted and how they should be able to express who they were and not hide in plain site because it was society's wish. bronte did a good job in trying to explain how jane was a head-strong girl who didnt take no for an answer and how she believed she deserved more then what she was limited to.
ReplyDelete-nikki l.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great quote! It shows that women are not inferior to men. It shows that we are all equal! I also read Jane Eyre and she inspired me to always go after my dreams and fight for the things that I believe in. Thank you!
ReplyDeletemariah n
It's peculiar, but I believe that not all women are strong enough to overcome that stereotype, or more than anything fight against the stereotype. More than ever, during the Victorian Era of course! I believe we are so lucky to be living in the time period we are living now, because we get to represent ourselves for the true, strong, intelligent human beings we are. Smarter than men, I believe so.
ReplyDeleteI read Tess of the D'urberville, and my sentence at the beginning, thats what I am referring to. Tess did recieve her justice, but in my eyes, I know she wasn't strong enough to fight for her independence and value as a woman.
I've always seen her like the under-dog, and in many ways, I compared myself to her: always putting other's happiness before herself's happiness. But Jane inspired me to be much smarter, and perhaps even a little more selfish.
I will never stop defending my Tess though:)
-Elizabeth Amaya
Jane, throughout the novel, is not willing to sacrifice her freedom or individuality, not even for the sake of love. She is a very strong female protagonist.
ReplyDelete-Susan Y.