Oct 10, 2004 02:46 PM
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(Updated Oct 10, 2004 02:48 PM)
For those who are ardent fans of Jane Austen, should read this bildungsroman by Charlotte Bronte. While Bronte was an era later than Austen, there is an eminent difference between their writings. While Austen's world was limited to the upper class and its interecacies, the Bronte sisters focussed on the middle class and lower classes and the condition of women there.
All the Bronte sisters have given us enthralling and unique novels, whether it be Charlotte who wrote Jane Eyre, the proffessor or the villete, or whether it be Emily Bronte who wrote the wuthering heights, the bronte sisters have contributed a great deal to the english literature. Jane Eyre is an interesting story about an orphan girl Jane, who is alienated in the hostile world and justs wants to belong to a kin.
Jane, a woman of spiritual and passionate ardour, wants to be liberated. She after getting education to become a lady, starts working in the thornfield hall, where she meets and falls in love with Rochester, our modern day hero. But Charlotte also creates the twist by introducing the third floor of the thornfield hall, ,where resides the mad woman in the attic who carries within herself not only the past and history of Rochester, but within her own subjugation and madness, the history of domination and colonisation.
What makes the book an interesting read is how Jane manages to overcome the complex obstacles; not only the mad woman in the attic but also her own confusing feelings and differences for the man she loves and her essential need for liberation. How Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte both do it... makes the book worth your time. Before writing the book Charlotte had said to her sisters that it wasnt necessary for a heroine to be beautiful. She could be simple and yet desirable. And thus, Charlotte created a poor, plain Jane who inspite of her simplicity is liked all the world over for her principles and morals.
Suggested Readings. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
This book tells the story from the point of view of the mad woman in the attic. Tells us how she got there and how she became mad .
The mad woman in the attic by Gilbert and Gubar. A critique on women portrayed in literature.
