【英语论文】《简爱》中女权主义意识（英文）Feminist in Jane Eyre

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1、摘 要简爱是现实主义时期著名的女作家夏洛蒂勃朗特的代表作品,她被认为是一位卓越的女作家。因为她在小说中描述的是与传统不同的女主人公简爱的勇于追求自由、平等和独立精神。它也是作者的自传体小说。通过对简爱的性格进行剖析，证明了简爱是一个标准的女权主义者。简爱这个人物形象，博得读者的爱怜，在英国文学史上是位具有代表性的人物，不仅表现在外表的朴实无华，而且表现在她性格上的独特魅力。简爱因其性格中所具有的强烈反抗意识而特别地引人注目。她坚持自己的原则去不断反抗不公平的社会。她用尽全力去追求自由，平等，独立和真爱。经过坚持不懈的努力她最终获得自尊，自由和真爱。关键词：女权, 反叛, 独立, 平等, 真爱A

2、BSTRACTJane Eyre is the most famous work of Charlotte Bronte, who is considered as an extraordinary woman novelist. Because the novel throbs with the heart-beats of its author, both literary critics and the readers have taken great interest in its unconventional heroine Jane Eyre, whose unconvention

3、ality is shown in the heroines pursuit of liberty, equality and independence. It is an autobiographical novel in a certain degree. This essay attempts to prove Jane is a real feminist through the analysis of her personality. Jane Eyre is a typical and magnificent representative in English literature

4、, not only for her plain but famous appearance but also for her characters outstanding and alien thoughts. The image of Jane Eyre is brilliant for her rebellious character. She always insists on her principle to rebel and fights bravely against the unjust world. She still tries her best to pursue fr

5、eedom, equality, independence and true love. By unremitting efforts she finally gets dignity, freedom and true love.KEY WORDS: feminist, rebel, independence, equality, true loveContentsIntroduction .(9)Chapter One The Development of Jane Eyres Resistance .(10) 1.1 Outburst period at Gateshead .(10)

6、1.2 Janes resistance at Lowood Institution (11)1.3 The perfection period at Thornfield and Moor House .(13)Chapter Two Jane Eyres Pursuit of Independence and Freedom .(14)2.1 Jane begins to realize the importance of independence and freedom (14)2.2 Jane gains strength from her teacher and her friend

7、 to achieve her independence .(14)2.3 Jane develops her independence fully and learns the pleasure of it . (15)Chapter Three Jane Eyres Attitude Towards Love (18)3.1 True love should be based on equality and mutual understanding.(18)3.2 The marriage pursued by women must be based on true love . (19)

8、Conclusion .(23)Acknowledgements (24)Bibliography (25)IntroductionCharlotte Bronte, an English writer, is a great critical realist in the 19th century. She writes lots of works in her life. She sets to work on a new novel, Jane Eyre, which is published in August, 1847. Jane Eyre is her masterpiece w

9、hich is a world famous novel. Jane Eyre has been translated into many languages and is always high in reading popularity. Jane Eyre, a plain, timid, weak and pale girl who appears to be a heroine, exists in numerous peoples minds. It seems to be a strange phenomenon. How can she arouse the eminent a

10、ttention of the readers throughout the world? Because Jane Eyre stands for an idealized woman in the 19th century. Charlotte Bronte aims at awakening womens consciousness and courage to equal rights and freedom. Jane Eyre cuts a completely new woman image. She represents those middle-class working w

11、omen who are struggling for the recognition of their basic rights and equality as a human being. Jane strives with all difficulties to gain womens liberation and to pursue freedom, equality and true love. The analysis of Janes personalities and her attitudes toward love has shown partly Janes love a

12、 kind of direct, enthusiastic and faithful love. The story of the independentminded Jane and her love affair with Mr. Rochester opens up new dimension for women. She is a typical character of awakening bourgeois intellectual women. The heroine Jane moves most readers as a kind and unique image in sp

13、ite of her plainness, poverty and low position. The profound meaning of Janes personalities makes this novel an extremely important work lists in the history of world literature as well as in the English literature.Chapter One The Development of Jane Eyres Resistance 1.1 Outburst period at Gateshead

14、Jane Eyre seems to be pale, thin and weak. She is like a piece of dust, nobody pays attention to her. At any time she may disappear. She was born an orphan, with an unfortunate family and long time repressive feeling; she builds up her resistant emotion. Under this background, everyone looks down up

15、on her. Jane asks herself “why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always abused, for ever condemned.” (Bronte, 2002:13) Her reason says “unjust!-unjust!” (Bronte, 2002:14) A first angry voice bursts out from her deep heart. When John beats her again, she attacks him viciously. She shouts at

16、him, “Wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murderer you are like a slavedriveryou are like the Roman emperors! (Bronte, 2002:7) When Mrs. Reed tells Mr. Brocklehurst that Jane has a bad character and a deceitful disposition, she defends that “I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you;

17、but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give it to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I. (Bronte, 2002:48) However, Jane is a brave soldier who dares to face up all kinds of inju

18、stice and fights against them. Before she leaves Gateshead, she rebukes her aunts cruelty, “How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth. You think I have no feelings and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so: and you have no pity. I shall remember how

19、 you thrust me backroughly and violently thrust me backinto the red- room, and locked me up there, to my dying day; though I was in agony; though I cried out, while suffocating with distress, Have mercy! Have mercy, Aunt Reed! And that punishment you made me suffer because your wicked boy struck mek

20、nocked me down for nothing. I will tell anybody who asks me questions, this exact tale. People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted. You are deceitful!” (Bronte, 2002:49) Jane suffers various violent treatments by her aunt and cousins; she tries her best to be a good girl but only r

21、esults in failure in Mrs. Reeds eyes.Jane resists and resists, but finally breaks out and speaks all her anger; Janes courage frightens Mrs. Reed, for she knows Jane is right. In those days at Gateshead Hall, Janes strong, brave and unbending characteristics are expressed step by step. Her every beh

22、avior shows her great indignation. Isolation, poverty, discrimination and oppression cause her to revolt against the unfair society in her own way. Jane is driven away from and escapes from Reeds house partly because of fearless courage. Jane fights not only for just treatment, but also for equality

23、. This is the first step of the development of Jane Eyres rebellious character.1.2 Janes resistance at Lowood InstitutionLowood Institution is a charity school for poor clergymens daughters. Jane lives here for eight years. Her rebellious sprits become mature. In fact it is a hell for poor girls. Th

24、e school is like a prison dominated by cold, implacable cruelty and Brocklehurst. Children here are not supplied with enough food, clothes and good treatment of disease. Many of them die of illness. They have no love and sympathy at all, living in hunger and cold. Children must pray for God and than

25、k for oppressors. Helen, a clever, intelligent and beautiful girl receives curse and beat, finally loses her young life. She believes in God. She says to Jane, “I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good; I can resign my immortal part to Him without any misgiving. God is my father; God

26、 is my friend: I love Him; I believe He loves me.” (Bronte, 2002:121) Just because of these ideas, Helen hasnt a little rebel against that kind of cruel treatment.However Jane is not like Helen. She always tries to rebel, though she is still a child. She tells Helen: “A great deal: you are good to t

27、hose who are good to you. It is all I ever desire to be. If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at wi

28、thout a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we shouldso hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. (Bronte, 2002:82) This rhythmic and forceful speech embodies the deep bourgeois oppression of the lower women and Janes rebellious spirit. To achieve independe

29、nce as an equal human, Jane never yields to fate and background. She does as she says. Her attitude towards her cousins, her aunt and Mr. Brocklehurst all proves it.Another woman, Miss Temple, is also admired and deeply loved by Jane. Miss Temples learning stimulates Janes longing for intelligence a

30、nd Miss Temples kindness stirs up her enthusiasm for ideal life. So when Miss Temple leaves Lowood, Jane cant put up with dullness and isolation there. She thinks that now she is left in her natural element, and begins to feel the stirring of old emotions. Jane looks forward to a new life and a free

31、 sky. No matter what will happen in the future, she will face it bravely. The rebellious fury is burnt again. Then Jane makes an advertisement and gets a governess profession at Thornfield. In this period, Janes rebellious spirit is up to a new standard and catches a more profound meaning. Her fight

32、ing is not only against a person, but against the social convention.1.3 The perfection period at Thornfield and Moor HouseAt Thornfield, Jane, as a grown-up, changes her harshness into a refined woman with good education, delicacy of feeling and gentleness of manners. At Thornfield she gets along we

33、ll with everyone. Jane is mild to everyone. Adele, a girl without talent is carefully taught by Jane and made safe and happy. In such a wild world, she forgets her pain and her misery. Furthermore, she learns to be tolerant to others shortcomings. Hearing that Mrs. Reed is dying, she comes back soon

34、 to Gateshead. Although she once has told Mrs. Reed that she never wants to see her again, she forgets and forgives her. Janes delicate feeling is best revealed when she meets Rochester, who is hurt. She gives him a hand in a polite way. In spite of his rude rejection, she says, “I can not think of

35、leaving you, sir, at so late an hour, in this solitary lane, till I see you are fit to mount your horses.” (Bronte, 2002:173) When Jane falls in love with Rochester, she is awaken and still keeps her resistance; she makes her every effort to rebel against social prejudice and customs, struggling for

36、 independence and true love. She dares to say “no” to anyone, including her master, Mr. Rochester who is domineering and arrogant. When she talks with Mr. Rochester, she doesnt avoid saying what she thinks whether Mr. Rochester is happy or not. On the wedding between Jane and Rochester, Jane is told

37、 that Rochester has married before. Bertha Mason, a mad woman is his wife who has been living in Thornfield. At the bad news, Jane knows if she lives with him, she will fall into the category of mistress and lose her respect. The dream of freedom, happiness and the independence which she was looking

38、 forward to would become fancies. The strength of reason is power over emotion. Jane leaves Thornfield resolutely to meet unknown fate in the future. When she almost starves to death, St. John helps her. Janes spirit of revolt is obviously expressed by her refusal of St. Johns offer of marriage .Jan

39、e never changes her will to follow St. John. She thinks, “If I join St. John, I abandon half myself, if I go to India, I go to premature death”, “if I do make the sacrifice he urges, I will make it absolutely: I will throw all on the altarheart, vitals, the entire victim.” (Bronte, 2002:642) Jane sa

40、ys to St. John, “I scorn your idea of love.” (Bronte, 2002:649) Jane dares to rebel against St. Johns offer because she thinks they are equal. She has the right to rebel against him. This period is the perfection of Jane Eyres rebellions. Chapter Two Jane Eyres Pursuit of Independence and Freedom2.1

41、 Jane begins to realize the importance of independence and freedomIndependence is the outstanding quality throughout the whole process of the novel. Jane Eyre is not pretty and her character is unique. She is maltreated by her cousins and aunt. One day, when Jane takes Johns book to read, he beats h

42、er once more. John says that Jane has no business to take his books; “You have no business to take our books; you are a dependant, mama says, you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with gentlemens children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear

43、clothes at our mamas expense”. (Bronte, 2002:7) When she fights against him severely, she is sent to Red Room.In the Red Room, she is frightened, but she keeps a clear mind that she realizes she needs to be saved from her blind fear of authority and be self-reliant. Her mind is in tumult, and all he

44、r heart in insurrection, her reason says “unjust! I never compromise to them. I shall be independent.” (Bronte, 2002:14) She hates Gateshead, hates everyone there. She hates Mrs. Reed who is a bad, hard-hearted woman. She treats her with miserable cruelty. Gateshead is a shelter for her, which teach

45、es her a lot of things. Only when she is independent, can she be respected by others. After all, she is a little girl, it is hard for her to be economically independent. Therefore, she decides to be independent, self-sufficient in her mind. The Reeds are really mean to her and she thinks they suck.

46、Of course, the feeling is mutual. Therefore, she is spared from the Reeds and is sent to a low budget orphan school called Lowood Institution.2.2 Jane gains strength from her teacher and her friend to achieve her independenceAt Lowood Institution, under the hypocritical Evangelicalism of the headmas

47、ter, Mr. Brocklehurst, she suffers further privation in the austere environment. The condition there is disgusting, but Jane doesnt submit to it. She gains her strength from her teacher and her fellow students to achieve her independence. Maria Temple, an independent woman, is the headmaster of the

48、Institution. She is a responsible teacher, and kind to the students, even the low students. Consequently, she gains respect and popularity from the people around her. From Maria Temple, Jane learns that independence is a very important thing for everyone. In our modern society, it seems to be more i

49、mportant to be independent. Jane learns the importance of duty and self-control through the friendship with Helen. At the beginning, Jane has much sympathy for Helen. Because Helen doesnt dare to fight against the person who insults her. When Helen is to be flogged and to be asked to stand in the mi

50、ddle of a room that full of people. Jane thinks that Helen should turn against others when she is bullied; she should resist against Miss Scatcherd, and dislike Miss Scatcherd. From these we can see that Jane is not obedient to anyone if someone bullies her, she will do the same thing to others. As

51、known to all, it is not violence that best overcomes hatred, nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury. And Jane learns these from Helen. Jane is deeply moved by Helens actions and words. “Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot be

52、ar what your fate to be required to bear”. (Bronte, 2002:79) Then through the friendship with Helen, she learns to be self-control in a certain degree. “It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to

53、all connected with you; and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil”. (Bronte, 2002:79) Jane stays at Lowood for 8 years. She attempts to do well in all aspects. She makes rapid progress both in study and work. She becomes stronger than before in her heart. The idea of breaking out the conse

54、rvative puritan life does not occur to her. She longs for a new form of life. So she gets a job by herself. 2.3 Jane develops her independence fully and learns the pleasure of itIn order to lead a life of independence, Jane works as a governess at Thornfield Hall. She is looks down upon by the rich

55、ladies of the fashionable society, but she never despises herself, she never feels herself inferior. She is satisfied with, and even proud of her honest, independent work. She loves Rochester who is in a large possession of fortune and in a high social position, but she never thinks of relying on th

56、ese things. Once she immediately answers Rochesters question about what else she needs, by saying, “Your regard: and if I give mine in return, that debt will be quit.” (Bronte, 2002:424) This kind of independence is irrevocable out of her pure soul which hasnt been contaminated by the earthy care at

57、 all and represented the pure uprightness. When the happiness reaches the highest point where she is about to be the dreamy persons wife, Jane keeps a clear mind, protecting her independence and her personality. She refuses all the precious gifts that could have been owned as a fiancee and reminded

58、Rochester again and again of the responsibility she should continue to fulfill as a governess. As Rochesters bride, she continues to be Adeles governess; when Rochester intends to give her a lot of jewelry and beautiful clothes, she refuses. Generally, beautiful clothes and jewelries are the favorit

59、e things to women. Jane thinks that real love is not based on money and jewelry. Her love doesnt mix with other strange ideas. In her opinion, self-respect, independence and equal rights are the fundamental elements of ones love. She doesnt want to be the slave of money, and she doesnt want to rely

60、on others. They fall in deep love with each other. Rochester doesnt want Jane to go on working，he wishes Jane belongs to him and considers Jane as his propertyJane refuses his suggestion without any hesitationIn her opinion，if she loses her job, she must depend on Rochester to live，thus independence

61、 says goodbye to her. She doesnt want to be a thing of Rochester. At last, she decides to preserve her independence. With the news coming that Rochesters wife is still alive, Jane is driven back to her original status. It means that Jane is just a lover to him. By this time, there are two roads in f

62、ront of her: One is to be the lover of Rochester. The other is away from Rochester to begin a new life. Actually, its very sad for Jane to leave the place she liked, and the man she deeply loved. However, Jane is the unique! She is determined to leave Thornfield without any hesitation. As we know th

63、at nothing can succeed in confining her before her resistant spirit .The powerful shout of the born independent spirit from her heart remains her independence. The natural strength of independence overwhelms her, “still indomitable was the replyI care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendle

64、ss, and the more unsustained I can be, the more I will respect myself.” (Bronte, 2002:467) With Jane and Rochesters suffering the readers compassion is also aroused besides the feeling of pity. There is no defying that the blood of independence is going through Janes whole body from the day she was born. Fleeing from calamity solitarily, she does not hesitate all prices to maintain her own personality, dignity, and rebellions and independence is portrayed more perfect, and richer. Nowadays, as to wome