Prompt: One of the strongest human devices seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance meaning of the work.
In Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, the protagonist Jane Eyre demonstrates the hardships and struggles a women can face when trying to find her place in the world. Throughout Jane Eyre Bronte sets Jane in many scenarios that women in the Victorian Era, a time when one's gender, family, and their social standing defined who one was and how much power they had, commonly had to face. During the sequence of events that Jane encounters in the novel, Bronte makes subdue remarks about Jane and other women in the novel, emphasizing their struggle to gain the power they desire and deserve.
Jane is first introduced as a young girl living with her aunt due to an early death of her parents. Right off the bat, Jane is set in a "Cinderella" story scenario, causing the reader to instantly notice the character's lack of power and control of others and her own life. The cousins who are around the same age demonstrate how wealth and their family name can automatically entitle them to power. The cousin's father is rich and they are therefor looked upon higher in society. Jane is aware of this, but still wants to earn this power for herself. Bronte doesn't keep the reader in this "Cinderella" mindset for long and begins to take the reader along the ride of Jane voyaging, on a mission to find her deserving power.
As Jane is on her travels she comes along to the Rochester home. There, she is hired as a governess to the daughter of a mighty man, Mr. Rochester. While Bronte remains to display conflicts of power that Jane faces, it is now more evident that this continuous struggle ties into the global issue of anti-feminism. Bronte makes this clear in one scene especially; Mr. Rochester insists that Jane wears some elegant clothing that he purchased for her. However, Jane is quick to decline, making it clear that by her taking from Mr. Rochester she would be essentially "giving into" the control men had over women during this time. Other similar situations occur and again remind the reader of Jane's quest to gain power.
Although there is a clear division of social classes between Jane and Mr. Rochester at first, as time goes on Jane is able to finally establish herself and become an equal to him. This strength Jane finds is a large accomplishment and sets an example for all women in a similar situation as her. Jane is able to transcend classes and overcome the typical stereotypes of women during this era, as a result gaining power in the form she has been searching for her entire life.
Bronte's novel and clear emphasis of feminism was a ground breaking novel during that time and gave a new confidence to women. The now well known protagonist, Jane, is now admired by many for freeing herself from the restricting life she once though she was destined to live forever, and instead developing into a mature women with a stable life and set power. Jane Eyre is a brilliantly written novel that shows that women's determination to gain power cannot be stopped.
Hi Sarena,
ReplyDeleteYay! I did Jane Eyre too! I actually read it once in seventh grade and reread it a bunch of times every year since (needless to say, I knew the book well). Anyway, great open prompt response. I wasn't sure how you were going to use Jane Eyre for a power struggle, but you convinced me that it worked with your essay. Excellent analysis with just the right amount of plot summary for enhancement -- i.e. summarizing Jane's interaction with Mr. Rochester and tying that into Jane's strength as a woman feminist. One suggestion is that it may have been easier to either focus on one aspect of struggle of getting power -- being a woman or being from a poor class. Either that or tie both aspects into your thesis for less confusion. Otherwise awesome response -- sufficient analysis, organization, and composition!
Serena,
ReplyDeleteOkay, so this is probably one of the most well written essays that I have read (maybe because I can read all of it?) I really liked how you worked the feminist thing with power struggles. I have never read Jane Eyre but I think you just might have convinced me to. The only thing that I have to say would be to cut the last sentence of the essay. Remember, the judges have read these books, they don’t need you to sell them on it. I also agree with Debra when she says to focus on either the struggle of being a woman, or the difficulties of being in a different social class. I know it seems like the two together shows how hard she worked to become Mr. Rochester’s equal. However, if you picked one, you could go into greater depth. Other than that, you did an amazing job with this!