简爱女性主义分析.doc

1、摘 要夏洛蒂勃朗特是生活在维多利亚前期的一位有着强烈女性意识的伟大作家。独特的个性、悲惨的生活遭遇以及充满矛盾的时代共同促使了其女性意识的形成，它借助其语言文学作品简爱中的女主人公表现出来。女主人公简爱出身贫寒，地位卑下却不甘被歧视，不甘自己被社会同化。她敢爱敢恨，敢于反抗社会的不公，追求平等、自尊、自强。她有忍耐的度量，但是又敢于表达自己的不满，她有辨别是非的能力，敢于指正错误，她有爱有恨，知道什么是真爱。她生活中的种种不幸并没有将她打倒，反而激起了她要反抗要自尊要自强的决心。本文通过具体分析简在盖茨黑德、洛伍德、桑菲尔德以及离开桑菲尔德之后四个阶段中的行为来充分论证简爱中的女性主义的体现及

2、发展。关键词：简爱；夏洛蒂勃朗特；女性主义；自尊AbstractCharlotte Bronte is a great writer living in the earlier Victorian Era with a strong feminine consciousness. It is her unique individuality, miserable experience and fully contradictory era that make her feminine consciousness formed. It is expressed by the heroine of

3、 the literary work Jane Eyre. The heroine Jane Eyre was born to be poor and humble, but she was unwilling to be discriminated and be assimilated by society. She has the courage to love and hate, dares to resist unfair in society, to pursue equal position, selfrespect and independence. She has great

4、endurance, but dares to express her dissatisfaction; she has the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and dares to correct mistakes; she has love and hatred, and knows what true love is. A variety of unhappiness in her life does not defeat her, but arouse her decision to be selfrespected

5、and to be selfcontained. This thesis aims to evidently prove the feminism contained in Jane Eyre by specifically analyzing Janes behaviors in Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield and off Thornfield the four periods.Key words: Jane Eyre; Charlotte Bronte; feminism; selfrespectContents摘 要IAbstractII1Introduc

6、tion12The development of feminism13The reasons why Jane has feminine ideas23.1Charlottes own life experience23.2The background of that era24The influence of feminism on Jane Eyre34.1In Gateshead34.1.1Janes clear love, hatred and her own protection34.1.2Janes accusation against the lies of Mrs. Reed4

7、4.2In lowood institution44.2.1Feminine ideas in the spirit of resistance44.2.2Feminine ideas in the criticism of that charity school54.3In Thornfield54.3.1Janes dignity against Mr. Rochesters pride54.3.2Janes determination to leave Thornfield64.4Off Thornfield65Conclusion7References881 IntroductionC

8、harlotte Bronte is a famous Britain writer in 19th century. Her life stories are an epitome of Jane Eyres plot. Charlotte was born in minister family who died mother in her five years old. The poor living conditions made her two sisters died from lung disease. So she and her sister Emily had been ta

9、ken back to her hometown by her father. Then she studied in the womens church school. And her Jane Eyre is the outstanding British novel in the 19th century. It is the independence, self-esteem and the thought of feminism that attract the attention of readers all around the world. In the novel Jane

10、Eyre is a new type of women. She changed the women image of gentle, sweet and meek in the traditional British. She was born poor and unremarkable but opposed humiliation behaviour firmly and always defended her independent personality. And finally it ended with the perfect love between Jane and Mr.

11、Rochester. This book expresses the authors thoughts for love、ideal and relationships among people which taking the first person narration of heroine to lead the development of the story. It made readers see real life hypocrisy, the differences between rich and poor and the discrimination for the poo

12、r. A woman was born poor and humble but unwilling to be discriminated and unwilling to be assimilated by the society. She constantly rival malice forces, constantly pursue ego independence and freedom. Her rational thinking process is not as simple as a cognitive process of things but a kind of race

13、 process between good and evil. She has great endurance but dares to express her discontent; she has the ability to distinguish right or wrong but dares to correct mistakes; she has love and hatred but knows what true love is. Through this character she tried to divulge such information that I am no

14、t your favourite woman but I am not inferior. I am in short stature but I am independent and have self-esteem. This obviously is a major progress of feminine literature in the British literature. 2 The development of feminismFeminist theories have emerged as early as 1792 in such publications as “th

15、e changing woman”, and so on. In 1851, Sojourner Truth addressed womens rights issues through her publication, “am not I a woman?” and addressed the issues surrounding limited rights to women based on the flawed perceptions that men held of women. In 1872, Anthony critiqued the constitution for its

16、male gendered language and questioned why women should have to abide by laws that do not specify women. The resurgence of feminist activism in the late 1960s was accompanied by an emerging literature of what might be considered female associated issues, such as concerns for the earth and spiritualit

17、y and environmental activism. Julia Kristina, Brachia Ettinger and Luce Irizarry developed specific notions concerning unconscious sexual difference, the feminine and motherhood, with wide implications for film and literature analysis. 3 The reasons why Jane has feminine ideas3.1 Charlottes own life

18、 experienceJane Eyres life experience is just like Charlottes. Charlotte lost her mother when she was five years old. Her two sisters died from lung disease when they were in school. She had to take care of her little sister and brother. Their brother once they loved most and made them proud most wa

19、s astray; her father had suffered cataract and was nearly blind, that led her to be depressed; sisters were young and sick needed her to take care of; her first novel professors was also rejected frequently; the cold and dark conditions also tormented her body. Living in such a life, she persisted i

20、n writing on Jane Eyre. There is no ordinary people can afford. All of these were deeply condensed in her works. It is the burden of her family that let charlotte be independent. Her life experience and inner experience prompted insight and motivate her to choose and model a generation of real new w

21、oman with womens consciousness. As a woman, she wishes to be treated equally in society. So her exploration about feminism was expressed through her work Jane Eyre. 3.2 The background of that era The book Jane Eyre was written in Victorian era. At the beginning of the 19th century, little opportunit

22、y existed for women, and thus many of them felt uncomfortable when attempting to enter many parts of society. The absence of advanced educational opportunities for women and their alienation from almost all fields of work gave them little option in life; either becomes a house wife or a governess. A

23、lthough today a tutor may be considered a fairly high class and intellectual job, in the Victorian era governess was little more than a servant who was paid to share her scarce amount of knowledge in limited fields to a child. With little respect, security, or class one may certainly feel that an in

24、telligent, passionate and opinionated young woman such as Jane Eyre should deserve and be capable of so much more? The insecurity of this position, being tossed around with complete disregard for her feelings or preferences, is only one of many gruelling characteristics of this occupation. However f

25、or Jane to even emerge into society, becoming a governess seemed the only reasonable path for her. The women of the Victorian Era can be regarded as first group to do battle for the equality of the sexes. They lead all women to follow after them, and though their progression may not have been as viv

26、id as the women of the 70s, they did have an effect. Feminism was not outright spoken of that time, rather passed through literature, such as this very novel.4 The influence of feminism on Jane Eyre4.1 In Gateshead4.1.1 Janes clear love, hatred and her own protectionThe heroine lives in her Aunt Mrs

27、. Reeds home for her parents died. Unfortunately her uncle also died. Her uncle had charged her aunt to treat Jane as their own daughter in his deathbed. However this does not change Janes destiny to be abused by Mrs. Reed and cousin. Mrs. Reeds coldness makes Jane to produced hatred. During the day

28、s of living in her aunts home, it is the sisters apathy, Mrs. Reeds eccentric even the servants discrimination that let Jane produce strong rebel psychology. Facing John Reeds despotism, she was unbearable and fearless, “wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murdereryou are like a slave-driveryou are

29、 like the roman emperors!”(Bronte 2003, 5) She even fights with John Reed like a mad. She does not understand why she always be bullied, be beaten, be scolded, be tortured and be discriminated. But cruel living environment never made Jane yield and she cried out gravamen for herself.4.1.2 Janes accu

30、sation against the lies of Mrs. Reed Mrs. Reed thought she can scare her niece with her position, but on the contrary Jane gives back the tit-for-tat. “I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except Joh

31、n Reed: and. This book about Liar, you may give to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I.”(Bronte 2003, 29) “People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hardhearted. You are deceitful!”(Bronte 2003, 30) Mrs. Reed would also incredibly be afraid, even in years later she wr

32、ote back to Janes uncle who wants Jane to inherit his property that Jane had already been dead. “Such a burden to be left on my handsand so much annoyance as she caused me daily and hourly, with her incomprehensible disposition and her sudden fits of temper, and her continual, unnatural witching of

33、ones movement! I declare she talked to me once like something mad, or like a friendno child ever spoke or looked as she did; I was glad to get her away from the house. What did they do with her at Lowood? The fever broke out there, and many of the pupils died. She, however, did not die: but I said s

34、he died I wish she had died!”(Bronte 2003, 219220) This let us preliminary see Janes self-improvement and resistance characteristic. 4.2 In lowood institution4.2.1 Feminine ideas in the spirit of resistanceFacing the unprovoked beat and scold, Jane and Helens ideas are not the same. Jane wears from

35、a thus unconquerable spirit of resistance. So she has the courage to resist. She said to Helen who was punished: “And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her; if she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose.” (Bronte 2003, 48)

36、4.2.2 Feminine ideas in the criticism of that charity schoolIn this school children are starving, also suffer from various humiliate, meals are bad and the living environment is unsanitary. “Semi-starvation and neglected colds had predisposed most of the pupils to receive infection: forty-five out o

37、f the eighty girls lay ill at one time.”(Bronte 2003, 69) In fact, this is not simply a charity institution; the author strongly criticized the education system which is so cruel. With this critical spirit, she created Mr. Brocklehurst who is a hypocritical image. Also filled with the spirit of indi

38、gnation, she described a victim Helen. But the reason why the author write these is not to show people what charity school is, but to highlight Janes resistance spirit which has already formed in Mrs. Reeds home by telling such a bad environment. Jane is not afraid of hard life, but hates this schoo

39、l especially Mr. Brocklehurst. If the object of Jane resist against is only the Reeds, the objects of little Jane resist against are broaden when she is in lowood. Her resistance spirit has been formed. 4.3 In Thornfield 4.3.1 Janes dignity against Mr. Rochesters prideLove is eternal theme of life.

40、It is said that woman is an emotional animal. They can expose their real inner world, especially in social reality, the value of female existence often manifested by love and marriage. Jane is bold to fall in love with her master Mr. Rochester. She is graceful in front of high and bullied impetuous

41、Mr. Rochester. Her self-esteem and tenacity gradually attracted Mr. Rochester. When she misunderstanding Mr. Rochester would marry Miss Ingram, she was bold to cry out her repressed emotions like volcanic eruptions. “Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automaton? A

42、 machine without feelings? And can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul al you-and full as much heart! And

43、if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. 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 al if bo

44、th had passed through the grave, and we stood at Gods feet, equal-as we are!” (Bronte 2003, 240241)This firmly shows womens longing for freedom and equality.4.3.2 Janes determination to leave ThornfieldHer wedding was destroyed and her happiness was lost. After thinking twice, she decided to leave T

45、hornfield even though she loves Mr. Rochester deeply. She did not know where to go. The only wish is to leave Thornfield for she had been cheated and insulted. If Jane were still there she would be Mr. Rochesters mistress which is a sad status and identity. Does she live in dishonour or maintain per

46、sonal dignity? Jane Eyre who does not accept Mr. Rochesters any gift chose the latter without hesitation and stepped out of the Thornfields gate bravely. The arrangement of this plot is the top mark of Janes resistance spirit.4.4 Off ThornfieldAfter leaving Thornfield, Jane came to a new place beginning her new life. During her relationship with St. John, her character flashed the extraordinary splendour naturally. St. John proposed to Jane Eyre several times. But he does not love her. The reason why he proposed was just to finish the task of god, to make Christ