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本科生毕业论文从女性主义的角度分析《简爱》AnAnalysisonJaneEyrefromthePerspectiveofFeminist 摘要十九世纪英国女作家夏洛蒂.勃朗特的作品《简爱》因其独特的思想内容和表现手法，一直被看作是英国文学的经典之作。自从作品问世以来，一直受到文学评论界的关注。尤其是作品中对女性独立与平等的追求，使得小说中女主人公简爱的形象负载了西方妇女在19世纪开始觉醒的女性意识。英国文学不乏叛逆女性的形象，但像简爱那样卑微、平凡、孤苦无依而又相貌平平的“弱势”女性，如此自觉地对抗强大的父权社会，算是空前的。此篇论文从女性主义的角度出发，通过对作品中女主人公简爱的分析，揭示小说中所反映的维多利亚时期女性性别意识的觉醒和当时女性的社会地位。在维多利亚时期女性地位得到了提高，女性意识得到了发展，但是仍然受到社会等级和社会地位的限制。但总体来说，随着时代的发展，女性地位和女性意识都得到了不同程度的提高。关键词：简爱；夏洛蒂.勃朗特；女性主义；平等和自由 AbstractCharlotteBronteisanoutstandingwomanwriterinthe19thcenturyEnglishliterature,herworkJaneEyrehasbeenregardedastheclassicsoftheEnglishliteratureduetoitsuniquecontentandwayofexpression.Sincetheworkhasbeenpublished,ithasattractedtheattentionoftheliterarycritics.Especiallythepursuitoffemaleindependenceandequality,makingtheheroinesofJane'simageloadstheWesternwomen'sawakeningoffeministconsciousnessinthe19thcentury.ThereisnolackoftheimageofrebelliouswomeninEnglishliterature,butlikeJaneEyre,ashumble,ordinary,plainbutwhohaveno“minority”women,soconsciouslyagainstthestrongpatriarchalsociety,beregardedasunprecedented.ThispaperrevealsthewakeofthegenderconsciousandthesocialpositionofwomeninVictorianperiodthroughtheanalysisoftheheroinefromthefeministperspective.ThestatusofwomenintheVictorianperiodhasimprovedbythedevelopmentoffemaleconsciousness,butstillaffectedbysocialclassandsocialstatus.Keywords:JaneEyre；CharlotteBronte;female;equality;freedom TableofContentsAcknowledgementsI摘要IIAbstractIIITableofContentsIVChapter1Introduction11.1SocialBackground11.2MotivationsandObjectives1Chapter2LiteratureReview32.1TheDefinitionofFeminism32.2ResearchBackground42.3HistoricalViews4Chapter3CharlotteBronteandJaneEyre63.1CharlotteBronte63.1.1PersonalExperienceofCharlotteBronte63.1.2CharlotteBronte'sPositioninLiteraryHistory…………………………………..73.2JaneEyre73.2.1ThePlotOverviewofJaneEyre73.2.2TheThemeofJaneEyre83.2.3LiteraryValueofJaneEyre………………………………………………………9Chapter4theRisingofJaneEyre'sFemaleConsciousness104.1Gateshead-beginningofFemaleConsciousness104.2Lowood-GrowingofFemaleConsciousness114.3Thornfield-UprisingofFemaleConsciousness…………………………………………11Chapter5PursuitofEqualityandFreedom135.1PursuitofEquality13 5.2PursuitofFreedom135.3LimitationoftheFeminism14Chapter6Conclusion15Bibliography17 Chapter1Introduction1.1SocialBackgroundJaneEyreisoneofthefamousnovelswrittenbyCharlotteBronteinthe19thcenturyanditisamongmyfamousnovels.Sinceitspublication,ithasattractedalotofattention.Fromtheliteraturereview,thethesisoftheworkisaboutfeminism.Inthelaterpartofthetwentiethcentury,itbecomescommonforliterarycriticstopayattentiontofeministelementsinCharlotteBronte'snovels.FeministfirstappearedinFrance;theFrenchRevolutionchallengedsocialinequalitiesandopeneddoorsforwomen'sfightforequality.AsslaveryinAmericabecamewidespreadintheearly1800s,manyscholarschallengeditsexistence.Womeninthisperiodarelargelyconfinedtohomeandareexpectedtomarryinordertosecurestatesandprivilege.In1848,StantonandMottcallthefirstSenecaFallsConventionforwomen'srightswhichcallsforwomen'srighttovoteandstatesthatallmenandwomenarecreatedequal.JaneEyrewaspublishedin1847alongwiththedevelopmentofthewomenmovement.Thewriter,CharlotteBrontehadbeenraisedbythefatherwhotaughthischildrentothinkforthemselves.Shelearnedtotrustherinstinctsthatencouragedhertobelievethatwomen,aswellasmen,hadaneedtodream,toexplore,thatthey“needexercisefortheirfaculties,andafieldfortheireffortsasmuchastheirbrothersdo”(CharlotteBronte,1992:130).Hermotherdiedin1821,leavingthechildreninthecareoftheiraunt.Livingintherectory,shehadlittletodootherthanreadandwrite.Thelonelinesssheexperiencedwasclearlyacute.1.2MotivationsandObjectivesInVictoriantimes,CharlotteBrontewasamongthefirstfeministwriters.Thiswasthetimethatthewomenwerelookeddownuponbythesociety.Theyhadfewrightsandfewoptionsopentothemforself-support.Formostwomentheonlywaytolivedecentlywastogetmarried,andinmanycases,itwasnotuptothewomentochoosewithwhomshemarried.Forthemostpart,awomanwasnotgiventheopportunitytogotoschoolandearnadegreeunlessshewasbornintoahighsocialclass.TheaverageVictorianwomanwastreatednotasaperson,butasan objectorpieceofproperty.Shehadveryfewrightseitherinsociety,ormarriage.InJaneEyre,themaincharacter,Jane,exploresthedepthatwhichwomenmayactinsocietyandfindsherownboundariesinVictorianEngland.JaneEyreisanovelaboutonewoman'sjourneythroughlife,soshedescribedJane'sexperienceindetailtoshowtheinferiorityofthewomanandthepovertyofthesociety.ButJaneissuchself-respect,independentanddecisivewoman.Herfemaleconsciousnessandherstrugglingexperiencesetabrilliantexampleforthefemaleworldwide.Herspiritencourageswomantofightforliberation.Asagreatbook,JaneEyrenotonlyawakesitsearlyreadersoftheVictoriansAge,butalsoencouragesthemodernwomen.JaneEyretellsnotonlywhatanindependentwomanislikebutalsowhatasuccessfulwomanshoulddo.Throughtheaboveanalysis,wecanknowthattheauthorofJaneEyrecreatedsuccessfullyatypicalwomancharacterwhohasthecouragetorebelandfightforfreedomandequality.ThispaperrevealsthewakeofthegenderconsciousandthesocialpositionofwomeninVictorianperiodthroughtheanalysisoftheheroinefromthefeministperspective.Thefirstchapterintroducesthesocialbackground,thetypeandthesubjectofthework.Thesecondchapterintroducesthetheoreticalbasis,theformoffeministanditsinfluencetothecreationofthework.Thethirdchapterputsthefoundationtoanalyzethefemaleconsciousthroughthecomparisonoftheauthor'sexperienceandtheplotofthework.Thefourthchapteranalysesthemaincharacterinthreeaspects.Italsoreflectsthedevelopmentofthefemaleconsciousnessandthepursuitoftheequality.ThefifthchapteranalysesJane'spursuitofequalityandlibertyfromthefeministperspective,reflectingthe19thcenturywomen'seffecttopursuitfreedomandequalityaswellasthelimitationofthefemaleconscious.Thesixthchapteristheconclusionofthework.InVictoriantimes,women'sstatusgotdifferentimprovement,butduetorestrictionofthesocialstatus,femaleconsciousnessstillhasthelimitation. Chapter2LiteratureReview2.1TheDefinitionofFeminismTheideaof“feminism”appearedseveralcenturiesago,whileeventodaythereisnoexactlydefinition.Throughoutthehistory,womenhavealwaysstruggledtogainequality,respectandthesamerightsasmen.Whatisfeminism?Bygeneraldefinition,feminismisaphilosophyinwhichwomenandtheircontributionsarevalued.Itisbasedonsocialpoliticalandeconomicalequalityforwomen.Feminismcanalsobedescribedasamovementorarevolutionthatincludeswomenandmenwhowishtheworldtobeequalwithoutboundaries.Therearemanydifferenttypesoffeministtheoryandeachhasaprofoundimpactonwomenandgenderstudies.Thefirstisculturalfeminismwhichisthetheorythattherearefundamentalpersonalitydifferencesbetweenwomenandmen.Mostfeministsholdabeliefthatwomanasgroupsaretreateddifferentlyfrommen.Theyaresubjecttopersonalandinstitutionaldiscrimination(StevenGoldberg,1973).Feministsbelievethatbeingfemaletoalargeextentdeterminesone'slife.Beingawomanmeanshavingacertaingender,especiallyfemininity.Feministsalsobelievedthatthesocietyisorganizedinfavorofthemen.Feministstrytoexplainthatthepowersareimbalancedduetothegenderdifference.Literaturewilloftenreflecttheculturalassumptionsandattitudesofitsperiod,ofcourseincludeattitudestowardswomen:theirstatus,theirroles,theirexpectations.Andfeministtheoristsaimtounderstandthenatureofinequalityandfocusongenderpolitics,powerrelations,andsexuality.Feministpoliticalactivitiesadvocateforsocial,political,andeconomicequalitybetweenthesexes.Theycampaignonissuessuchasreproductiverights,domesticviolence,maternityleave,equalpay,discriminationandsexualviolence.Whenwetalkaboutthefeministcriticism,wemustmentionthattheword“feminism”.AccordingtotheNewEncyclopediaBritannica,“feminism”,alsocalled“feministmovement”or“women'sliberationmovement”,referstothesocialmovementsthatseekequalrightsforwomen,givingthemequalstatuswithmenandfreedomtodecidetheirowncareers andlifepatterns.ThereareotherfivedifferentdefinitionsofFeminism:1.Challengingthepowerstructurebetweenmenandwomen;seeingmenandwomenasgroupsratherthanindividuals.2.Rebellingagainstandrejectingpowerstructures,institutions,laws,orsocialconventionsthatmaintainwomenassubordinate,powerless,orsecond-classcitizens.3.Arguingagainstthedivisionoflaborthatvaluesmeninthepublicsphere(work,sports,government,law)anddevalueswomenintheprivatesphere（home,childcare,reproductivelabor,housework,maintainingfamily).4.Workingasacollectivetofightforwomen’srightsinallfacetsofmodernlife,includingtheworkplace,sexuality,reproductiverights,fairrepresentation,andacceptanceofalternativefamilies.5.Demandingfullrightsforallwomenandmen.2.2ResearchBackgroundIntheyearof1800s,peoplehavefewrightsandfewchances.Womenarestillregardedasthesecondclasscitizens.ButthingstochangeafterthereignofQueenVictoria.TheVictoriantimeisaperiodofdramaticchangethatbroughtEnglishtoitshighestpointofdevelopment.TheIndustrialRevolutionbringsanenormousincreaseinwealthandprovidesthetoolsforthedevelopmentaswellasserioussocialproblems.Duringthetime,womengraduallygaintherighttotheirpropertyuponmarriagethroughtheMarriedWomen'sPropertyAct,therighttodivorce.BytheendofVictoria'sreign,womencouldtakedegreesattwelveuniversities.Butgeneralconditionsforwomenarestillpoor.2.3HistoricalViewsFeminismisdifficulttodefinebecauseofthemanydifferentkindsoffeminisms,whichstillexisttoday.Feminismstartedaswomen'sstrugglefortheirpoliticalrights,andflourishedintheworldofliterature.Itwasencouraging,thrillingandenlighteningforatime,butitalsohadbeenfacedwithchallengesanddoubts. FeminismfirstappearedinFrance.Manyscholarshavedevotedthemselvestotheresearchonit.VirginiaWoolf(1929)isknownasthemodernismandfeministpioneerinthetwentiethcentury.Sheadvocatesfeminismandnotesthatwomenhavetobeindependentintheeconomicandlife.StevenGoldberg(1973)holdtheviewthatwomen'sgroupsexistasanindependent,theyalsobeartheheavyburdenandthesystemofgenderdiscrimination.ElaineShwalter(1979)isAmericanliterarycriticsandfeministwriter.Shecallsforequalitybetweenwomenandmen.InChina,scholarsbegantotouchuponfeminisminJaneEyrefromthemiddleofthe1980s.ZhangWeiholdtheviewthatJaneEyrerepresentstheideaofwomen'sliberationsinceshelongsforherfinancialindependenceandamarriagebasedonlove(张伟，2001).ZhuHongpointsout“womennotonlypursuitofspiritualequalitybutalsotheeconomicindependent”(1987).Formthebriefliberationreview;wecanseethatbothinwestandinChina,JaneEyrehasgotgreatattentionfromthecritics.ThenovelprovidedthereaderanewworldofthesocietyintheVictoriantime.JaneEyreisaplaingirlbutshehasastrongwill,shedarestopursuetheeconomicindependenceandsocialstatesinaworldthatwomenareregardedasasecondclass.Shesetanexamplefortoday'swomen.Ihopethatmyeffortinwritingthisthesiswillmakesomehelpforthelaterresearch. Chapter3CharlotteBronteandJaneEyre3.1CharlotteBronte3.1.1PersonalExperienceofCharlotteBronteCharlotteBrontewasborninYorkshire,EnglandonApril21,1816.ShewasthethirdchildofMariaBranwellBronteandtheReverendPatrickBronte.OriginallyofIrishdecent,thechildrenallinheritedtheirfather'spassionateIrishtemperament.Whenshewasfiveyearsold,hermotherdiedandshewasraisedbyheraunt.Astheoldestdaughterinafamilyofsix,shehelpedraiseherbrother,Branwell,andtwosisters,EmilyandAnne.Theirfather,astrictclergyman,believedinself-education,andhischildrenwasforbiddentoattendschoolorsocializewithotherchildren.Heallowedhischildrentoroamonthemoor.AstheyoungBrottogrewup,theybecamemoreadventurousandgainedasensibilityofeverydaydetailsinnature.In1824CharlotteandthreeofhersistersweresenttoCowanBridge,aschoolfordaughtersofclergymen.Obviouslyhechosetheschoolforitslowtuition,butthelivingconditionswereintolerableandthedisciplineoverlyrigid.The“lowood”sectionofJaneEyrevividlyconveysCharlotte'sunhappymemoriesofherexperiencethere.AfteranoutbreakoftuberculosiskilledMariaandElizabeth,CharlotteandEmilywerebroughthome.Duringthistime,Charlottetaughthersistersathomeandworkedasagoverness,anexperiencewhichshedescribedinJaneEyre.Severalyearslater,shereturnedtoschool,butlatershebecameaprivategovernessinstead.In1846,thethreesisterspublishedabookofPoems,andthoughthesaleswerelow,thereviewsweregoodandspurredonfurtherliteraryendeavors.InAugustof1846shebeganworkonJaneEyre.Thoughitwaspublishedin1847,shedidn'ttellherfatheraboutituntilthenextyear,whenthenovel'ssuccesswasplain.Thissuccesswasfollowedupbytragedy,however.InSeptember1848,Branwelldied,thiswascloselyfollowedbyEmily'sdeathfromconsumptionin1848,andAnne'sdeathofthesamediseaseinMay1849.Bereft,Charlotteandherfatherclungtoeachotherforsupport.Eventually, shestartedspendingsometimeinLondon,meetingotherwritersoftheday.InJaneEyre,therewerefivedistinctstagesofdevelopment,eachlinkedtoaparticularplace.AfterthesuccessofJaneEyre,sherevealedheridentitytoherpublisherandwentontowriteseveralothernovels.Intheyearsthatfollowed,shebecamearespectedmemberofLondon'sliteraryset.ButthedeathofsiblingsEmilyandBranwellin1848andAnnin1949leftherfeelingdejectedandemotionallyisolated.In1855,shediedofpneumonia.3.1.2CharlotteBronte’sPositioninLiteraryHistoryAlthoughCharlotteBronteonlyhasfourworksofherlife,shehasanimportantpositioninthehistoryofliterature.Sheisthefirstpersonwhovoiceofawomanasthethemeofthenovel(杨莉馨，2002).Laterwritersaresubjecttoherinfluence.Herworkshavebeenregardedasamodelformodernwomenfiction.Togetherwithhersisters,theyareknownastheBronteSistersinthehistoryofEnglishliterature.3.2JaneEyre3.2.1ThePlotOverviewofJaneEyreJaneEyreisayoungorphanandsheisraisedbyMrs.Reed,hercruel,wealthyaunt.AservantnamedBessiehelpsheralot,tellingherstoryandsingingsongstoher.Oneday,JaneispublishedforfightingwithherbullyingcousinJohnReed,sheisclosedinthered-roomwhereherUncleReeddied.SheisfrightenedandbelievesthatshesawherUncle'sghost.WhenshewakestofindherselfinthecareofBessieandthekindlyapothecaryMr.Lioyd,whosuggeststoMrs.ReedthatJanebesentawaytoschool.ToJane'sdelight,herAuntagrees.Onceattheschool,JanefindstheschoolheadmasterMr.Brocklehurstisacruel,hypocriticalandabusiveman.Hetreadsthestudentsbadly.Atschool,JanemakesgoodfriendwithagirlnamedHelenBurns.ButlaterHelendiesofconsumption.ThisattractsmoreattentiontotheunhealthyconditionsatLowood.AfteragroupofmoresympatheticgentlementakesBrocklehurst'splace,Jane'slifeimprovesalot.ShespendseightyearsatLowood,sixasastudentandtwoasateacher.Afterteachingfortwoyears,Janewantstochange.Sheacceptsagovernesspositionat Thornfield'smanor,inwhichsheteachesalovelygirlnamedAdele.TheownerofthemanorisRochester,whoisaimpassionedman.Janefindsherselfbegantofallinlovewithhim.Atthesametime,RochesterisattractedbyJane.Oneday,RochesterproposestoJaneandsheaccepts.Theweddingdayarrives,andJaneandMr.Rochesterpreparetoexchangevows.Mr.MasoncriesoutthatRochesteralreadyhasawifeandheisthebrotherofthatwifeBertha.Hiswifeisstillalivebutislockedinthehouse.Shockedbythestory,Janefleesfromthehouse.Shegoesthoughalotofhardships.Afternearlyperishingonthemoors,sheistakeninandcaredforbyaparson,St.John.Andhefindsherajobteachingatacharityschool.HewantsJanetoaccompanyhimashiswife.Whenshenearlygivesin,sherealizesthatshecannotabandonthemanshetrulyloves.SoshehurriesbacktoThornfieldandfindsthatithasbeenburnedtothegroundbyMason,wholostherlifeinthefire.Rochesterlosthiseyesightandoneofhishands.Atlasttheygetmarried.Attheendofthestory,Janewritesthattheyenjoytheirlifetogether.Shesaysthataftertwoyearsofblindness,heregainedsightinoneeyeandwasabletobeholdtheirfirstsonathisbirth.3.2.2TheThemeofJaneEyreJaneEyreisthestoryofaquesttobeloved.Janesearchesnotjustforromanticlove,butalsoforasenseofbeingvalued,ofbelonging.Overthecourseofthebook,Janemustlearnhowtogainlovewithoutharmingherselfintheprocess.Janestrugglestofindtherightbalancebetweenmoraldutyandearthlypleasure,betweenobligationtoherspiritandattentiontoherbody.Sheencountersthreemainreligiousfigures:Mr.Brocklehurst,HelenBurns,andSt.JohnRivers.EachrepresentsamodelofreligionthatJaneultimatelyrejectsassheformsherownideasaboutfaithandprinciple,andtheirpracticalconsequences.JaneEyreiscriticalofVictorianEngland'sstrictsocialhierarchy.Bronte'sexplorationofthecomplicatedsocialpositionofgovernessesisperhapsthenovel'smostimportanttreatmentofthistheme.Victoriangovernesswasexpectedtopossesthe“culture”ofthearistocracy.Yet,as paidemployees,theyweremoreorlesstreatedasservants,thus,JaneremainspennilessandpowerlesswhileatThornfield.Jane'sunderstandingofthedoublestandardcrystallizeswhenshebecomesawareofherfeelingsforRochester.Jane'sdistress,whichappearsmoststronglyinChapter17,seemstobeBronte'scritiqueofVictorianclassattitudes.Janeherselfspeaksoutagainstclassprejudiceatcertainmomentsinthebook.Forexample,shechastisesRochester:“Doyouthink,becauseIampoor,obscure,plain,andlittle,Iamsoullessandheartless?Youthinkwrong!Ihaveasmuchsoulasyouandfullasmuchheart!AndifGodhadgiftedmewithsomebeautyandmuchwealth,Ishouldhavemadeitashardforyoutoleaveme,asitisnowformetoleaveyou.”(ibid,260)FireandiceappearthroughoutJaneEyre.TheformerrepresentsJane'spassions,angerandspirit,whilethelatterrepresentstheoppressiveforcestryingtoextinguishJane'svitality.FireisalsoametaphorforJane,asthenarrativeassociatesherwithimaginesoffire,brightnessandwarmth.Shelikenshermindto“aridgeoflightedhealth,alive,glancinganddevouring.”(ibid,30)Imagesoficeandcold,oftenappearinginassociationwithbarrenlandscapesorsymbolizeemotionaldesolation,lonelinessorevendeath.3.2.3LiteraryValueofJaneEyreJaneEyreisoneofthefamousnovelswrittenbyCharlotteBronteinthe19thcenturyduetoitsuniquecontentandwayofexpression.IthasalonghistoryintheEnglishliteratureanditcreatedthecharacterJanesuccessfullywhodarestofightforfreedomandequalityinaworldthatwomenareregardedasasecondclass.JaneEyrewasahitinthe19thcentury.Sincetheworkhasbeenpublished,itattractedtheattentionofliterarycriticsandthousandsofreaders. Chapter4theRisingofJaneEyre'sFemaleConsciousness4.1Gateshead-beginningofFemaleConsciousnessAtGateshead,Janebeginsherjourneythoughherlife.Jane'searliestmemoriesareaboutGatesheadandtheReedFamily.Gatesheadisaplaceinwhichthepassionsofchildhoodaregivenfreerein.Fromthebeginning,JanechallengesthesocialprincipleofnineteenthcenturyVictoriansocietysuchassocialclass,genderrelationsandinjustice.Janebeginsherownstoryasanorphan,sheisraisedbyawealthyfamily,andthissocialstandingmotivatesmuchofthenovel'sinternaltensionandconflict.Jane'seducationandlifestylearethoseoftheupperclass,butshehasnomoney.Sheisapoorgirlwhowasforcedtolivewithothers.Soshehasnostatusinthefamily,sometimesinsomeways,sheisbeloweventheservants.Jane'syoungcousinsarealwaysinsultingheriftheywant.Jane,unlikehercousins,ispunishedforherfitsofpassion,butsheexperiencespassionsatGateshead.WhileshelivesatGateshead,hersensitivitytoactsofinjusticedevelops.Becausesheseesthatsheistreatedaslessworthyeventhanaservant,butatthesametime,hercousinsareshortofwell-behavedbuthereceivesalltheprivilegesandhonors.Thisishappenedintheveryfirstchapterofthenovel,whenJanesuffersteasingbyhercousinsJohnReedandhismother.“Iamgladyouarenorelationofmine.IwillnevercallyouauntagainaslongasIlive.IwillnevercometovisityouwhenIamgrownup;andifanyoneasksmehowIlikedyou,andhowyoutreatedme,Iwillsaytheverythoughtofyoumakesmesick,andthatyoutreatedmewithmiserablecruelty......YouthinkIhavenofeelings,anthatIcandowithoutonebitofloveorkindness;butIcan'tliveso:andyouhavenopity.Ishallrememberhowyouthrustmeback......intothered-room......andthatpunishmentyoumademesufferbecauseyourwickedboystruckmeknockedmedownfornothing.Iwilltellanybodywhoasksmequestionsthisexacttale.Ihadfinishedthisreply,mysoulbegantoexpand,toexult,andwiththestrangestsenseoffreedom,oftriumph,Ieverfelt.Itseemedasifaninvisiblebondhadburst,andthatIhadstruggledoutintounyokedforliberty......”(ibid,29) ThisquotationispartofJane'soutbursttoheraunt.Inchapter4,shedisplaysakeensenseofjusticeandrecognitionofherneedforlove.Alongwiththefamilyliberation,thepassagemarksJane'semotionalliberation.ItisnotuntilshespeaksthesewordstoMrs.Reedthatshefeelsher“soulbegintoexpand”.4.2Lowood-GrowingofFemaleConsciousnessJanesuffersalotinheraunt'shome.Sogettingawayfromhomewillmakeherlifebetter,tohersurprise,Mrs.Reedagreedtosenthertoschool.Janestaysattheschoolfornineyears.Jane'searlyyearsatLowoodprovetobeaperiodofconsiderabletribulation;shealsosuffersharshconditions,cruelteachersandthebadMr.Brocklehurst.TheharshconditionssheexperiencesasastudentatLowoodshowusthat,inspiteofsheistalentandself-assurance,sheismerelyaburdenintheeyesofthesociety,becausesheispoor.MrBrocklehurstisareligioushypocrite,supportinghisownluxurylifewhilehisstudentsliveapoorlife.HelenBurnsisbestfriendofJaneintheschoolbuthercharacterisdifferentfromJaneherself.Helenispassiveandacceptsanyabjection.SheembodiesratherthanpreachestheChristianideasofloveandforgiveness.WhileJanehasastrongsensitivitytoindignitiesandinjustices,ShefailstounderstandHelen'spassivity.AsJaneherselfdeclares:“Whenwearestruckatwithoutareason,weshouldstrikebackagainveryhard......soastoteachthepersonwhostruckusnevertodoitagain.”(ibid,54)Helen'sdoctrineofenduranceandloveisincompatiblewithJane'sbeliefinfairnessandself-respect.4.3Thornfield-UprisingofFemaleConsciousnessJanebeginshercareerasagovernessandtravelstoThornfield,wheretheprincipleincidentsofherstorytakeplace.AfterherstayatGateshead,JanecomestounderstandwhatRochesterandThornfieldmeantoher.Whensheremembersthepoordaysinherchildhood,Janenowrealizeshowdifferentherlifehasbecome,howmuchshehasgainedandhowmuchshehasgrown.InThornfield,shefindsthatshecomestofallinlovewithRochesterwhogivesheratruesenseofbelonging,somethingthatshehasalwayslacked.Asshetellshim,“whereveryouareis myhome,myonlyhome.”Ononehand,shelongsforloveandmarriage;ontheotherhand,sheisalsoworriedaboutthem.Untiltheweddingday,shewastoldRochesterhadawifewhoisstillalive.Janeisveryupsetandrunsaway.ButatlastshestillmarriestoRochester.Shehasalwayslongedforfreedomandescape.MarryingRochesterwouldbeaformoftyingherselfdown.Themarriagewouldbringherintoarelationofresponsibilityandcommitmenttoanotherperson.Jane'sfeelingsanddesiresforRochesteraretightlyboundupwithherfeelingsabouthersocialposition. Chapter5PursuitofEqualityandFreedom5.1PursuitofEqualityInthe19thcentury,womenhadnohigherpositions,theywereregardedasamaleaccessory,andtheywerelonelyandisolatedfromtheoutsideworld.Womenhadnorighttorefusethemen'srequest.Janestrugglestoachieveequalityandtoovercomeoppression.Shemustfightagainstdomination-againstthosewhobelievethewomentobeinferiortomen.Mr.Brocklehurst,EdwardRochesterandSt.JohnRivers,eachofthemwantstokeepJaneinasubmissiveposition,wheresheisunabletoexpressherownthoughtsandfeelings.Inherrequestforindependence,Janemustescapethem.AlthoughshelovesRochester,shewillnotdependsolelyonhimandshecanbefinanciallyindependent.Janeendureshermostdifficulttimeinpursuitofequality.SheleavesRochesteralthoughitpainsherdeeplyandsheisforcedtosleepoutdoorsandgohungryintheway.Howeverthisexperienceprovesherenduranceandherstrengthofprinciple.Jane'sdeparturefromThornfieldisperhapsthemostimportantdecisionshemakesinthenovel.ShelovesRochesterandThornfieldisthefirstrealhomesheeverknows.Butitneedshertomakesomecompromisethatsheisnotwillingto.Shesensesthatinmarryinghimsherisksputtingherselfinapositionofinequality.DespitethehappinessthatRochesteroffer,Janeknowsthestayingwouldbeatypeofself-imprisonment.Shemustmakethechoiceandshemustfleewhileshecan.Janespeaksagainstclassprejudiceandshowsapursuitofequalityinthebook.ShechastisesRochester:“Doyouthink,becauseIampoor,obscure,plainandlittle,Iamsoullessandheartless?Youarewrong!Ihaveasmuchassoulasyouandfullasmuchheart!AndifGodhadgiftedmewithsomebeautyandmuchwealth,Ishouldhavemadeitashardforyoutoleaveme,asitisnowformetoleaveyou.”(ibid,260)5.2PursuitofFreedomDuringherpursuitoffreedom,shealsostrugglesalot.Janeendureshermostdifficultin chapter27ofthebook:shedecidestoleverRochesteralthoughitpainsherdeeply,andsheisforcedtosleepoutdoorsandgohungry.However,thisisalsowhereJaneprovestoherenduranceandherstrengthofprinciple.Rochesteristhefirstpersonwhohasevertrulylovedher.Yet,sheknowsthatstayingwithhimwouldmeancompromisingherself,becauseshewouldbehismistressratherthanhiswife.AlthoughRochester'sdeclarationofloveandmarriageproposalmakesJanehappy,sheisalsoworriedaboutthemarriage.Shehasalwayslongedforfreedomandescape,andmarryinghimwilltieherdown.CharlotteBrontemayhavecreatedthecharacterofJaneEyreaccordingtoherownlife.MuchevidencesuggeststhatBronte,too,struggledtofindabalancebetweenloveandfreedom.InJane'slife,sheneverstopsstrugglingagainstmiserablelifeandmisfortune.ShethinksthereisabiggapbetweenherandRochester.Sowhentheyfallinlove,Janehastokeepself-respectandindependenceincaseoflosingherself.Herspiritencourageswomentofightforliberation.5.3LimitationoftheFeminismWomenoftheVictoriantimesarerepressed,andhavelittlesocialstatus.Theyhavefewrightsandoptions.Formostwomentheonlywaytolivedecentlyistogetmarried,inmanycasesitisnotthewomentochoosewhomshemarried.Forthemostpart,awomanisnotgiventhechancetogotoschoolunlesssheisbornintoahighsocialclass.TheaverageVictorianwomanistreatednotasaperson,butasanobject.Shehasveryfewrightseitherinsocietyormarriage.CharlotteBronteisthefirstfeministwritersofhertime,andshewritethisbookinordertosendthemessageoffeminismtothesocietyinwhichwomanarelookeddownupon.Butfirstly,becausesheisaplaingirl,shecannotwalkoutoftheshadowoftheinferioritypsychology.Secondly,duetothelongterminfluenceofthemalesocialist,itcannotchangethoroughlyinashorttime.Inthattime,womenareregardedasamaleaccessory,andtheyhadnorighttorefusemen'srequest.Basicallythecauseofwomenlimitationistheproductofsociety(卢玉玲，1996). Chapter6ConclusionCharlotteBronte,oneremarkableEnglishwomanwritersinthe19thcentury,createsthefamouscharacterintheliteratureJaneEyre.ThebookoccupiesanimportantpositioninEnglishliterature.Indeedthenovelisanautobiographythatdescribesthespiritualjourneyofafemininewriter.Itisanexplorationandexpressionoftheauthor'spsyche.JaneEyreisaveryunusualnovelforitstime.Itclaimsaneedforwomentohaveequalexperienceswithmen.Itinsiststhatwomenbeequalwithmen.InJaneEyre,averyyoung,plain,pennilessgirlclaimstherighttohaveafieldforheractionsaslargeasthatofanymen.Janeisonthefringeofthesociety,butshehasastrongwilltopursuetheeconomicindependenceandsocialstates.Asagreatbook,JaneEyrenotonlyawakesitsearlyreadersoftheVictoriansAge,butalsoencouragesthemodernwomen.JaneEyretellsnotonlywhatanindependentwomanislikebutalsowhatasuccessfulwomanshoulddo.ThispaperfocusesonanalyzingtherisingandlimitationoffeminismintheVictorianEngland.First,thethesisuncoversCharlotteBronte'sfemaleconsciousnessinVictorianEngland.HereagerofthesameequalityandfreedomwithmenshowsintheJaneEyre.Second,thenegativeaspectofwomeninthenovelrevealstheauthor'sfeministvalueandthelimitationoffemaleconsciousnessinVictorianEngland.Thewomenarequiteinferiortothemen;theyareprimarilyinrelationtothemen.Last,anotherproblemthattroublessomecriticsisthefactthatJanefindshappinessinthemarriage.ItsuggeststhatJanegivesupherlongsoughtindependence.But,lookingathermarriageinanotherway,sheentersintoarelationshipinwhichgivingandtakingoccurinequalmeasure.Byenteringmarriage,Janedoesindeedenterintoa“bond”,butinmanywaysthis“bond”isalsothe“escape”thatJanehassoughtallalong.InVictoriantimes,CharlotteBronteisamongthefirstfeministwriters.Thisisthetimethatwomanarelookeddownuponbythesociety.TheymajorityofBritishwomenhavenoright.UntiltheQueenVictoriaholdpowerthatwomenhavesomebasicrights.Alotofeducatedwomenregardthewritingfictionasthebestwaytoexpresstheirinnerworld.JaneEyreis producedunderthisbackground.ThestatusofwomenintheVictorianperiodhasimprovedbythedevelopmentoffemaleconsciousness,butstillaffectedbysocialclassandsocialstatus.Butoverall,withthedevelopmentofsociety,women'sstatusandwomenconsciousnesshaveimproved.Allinall,Janeissuchaself-respect,independentanddecisivewoman.Herfemaleconsciousnessandherstrugglingexperiencesetanexampleforthefemaleworldwide.Herspiritencourageswomantofightforliberation.JaneEyretellsnotonlywhatanindependentwomanislikebutalsowhatasuccessfulwomanshoulddo. 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