OntheIndependenceofJaneEyre(简单整理)

1、On the Independence of Jane EyreI. Introduction.When referring to the history of English literature in the 19th century, it was charlotte Bronte that we cant neglect. She wasnt pretty, and she was plain and little. But her name was put in the first page of the history of English literature in the 19

2、th century because of the success of Jane Eyre. The times charlotte lived was full of tumult in England. As the capitalism was rapidly developing, the class struggles were intensifying which resulted in the chartist Movement. In politics, she was a conservative and was deeply influenced by her fathe

3、r. On the one hand some sympathy for the struggle and resistance of the workers; on the other hand, she worried about the revolutionary movement in the world. She was born in Thornton, Yorkshire in 1816, and worked intermittently as teachers and governess, the only occupations opened to ladies of th

4、e time for three years. In 1854, charlotte married her fathers curate, the Rev. Arthur Bell Niahols, But she died less than a year later, during her life, she wrote a small joint volume, poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell,(1846, and four novels THE PROFESSOR (1847,JANE EYRE (1847, VILLETTE (1853

5、SHIRLEY (1849 of which JANE EYRE was the most successful and popular one.Jane Eyre was charlotte Brontes masterpiece. It was an autobiographical novel in a certain degree. The novel opens with little Jane as a despised orphan in the house of her uncles widow. Being rebellious, she is packed off to a

6、 charity boarding -school, which administers harsh discipline with especial vigor Jane sets herself to learn, qualifies herself as teacher, advertises for a post, and is employed as governess of the illegitimate French daughter of Rochester in his country mansi on, Thornfield. A love relationship de

7、velops between Jane and Rochester. Janes resolute free spirit, her soul of fire, brings from the dominant Rochester a proposal of marriage. But knowing that Rochester has a wife at Thornfield, Jane leaves there without any hesitation. She is rescued by the Rivers in order to undertake missionary wor

8、k at his side. Almost she consents a great misfortunate befalls Mr. Rochester: he blinded during a fire, Hearing that Rochester is penniless and disable, Jane Eyre hurries to him and become his wife.The story is told with terrific intensity, the agonies of Jane are presented so powerfully and in suc

9、h a simple but telling language that they cannot be read without emotion. It is not a romance. Like other novels of charlotte Br onte, Jane Eyre is characterized by relentless truthfulness to ordinary reality. Even when the action is most exciting, its details are strictly true to real life. Jane Ey

10、re, the heroine of this novel, struggled to acquire her self-respect, independence, dignity and self-sufficiency at every stage of her life, both in struggling with social pressure, maltreatment, discrimination and in resisting the temptation of passion. At the end of the novel, Jane gains what she

11、wants.II. At Gateshead, Jane began to realize the importance of independence.(这是第一个原因:她失去的几乎所有的爱,他知道没有人能给她安全感,他只能靠自 己 Jane was born an unfortunate girl. She was an orphan shortly after she was born. Therefore, she lived under Mrs. Reeds roof, at Gateshead. She lived an unhappy life with her wealthy,

12、 cruel cousins and aunt at Gateshead. At Gateshead, she was maltreated by her cousins and aunt. She was always expelled from the Reeds. Because she was not pretty and her character was unique. Mostpeople at Gateshead disliked her, including the servants. Even one of the servants thought that she was

13、 less than a servant. Her two sisters scorned her; John Reed always bullied her. When John Reed bullied Jane, Mrs. Reed turned blinded eyes to it. From Chapter1to Chapter 4 the author described that 14-year-old John maltreated Jane without any excuses. Even though Mrs Reed was partial to John, littl

14、e Jane was not meek but fought against him in his own way. Jane couldnt bear the cruel treatment any more. One day, when Jane took his books to read, he beat her once more. John said that Jane had no business to take his books;You have no business to take our books; you are a dependant, mama says, y

15、ou 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 clothes at our mamas expense (Charlotte Bronte, 2002,Chapter1, p. 6. Jane fought against him severely this time . John was bleeding. She said J

16、ohn was a wick and cruel boy. He was like a murder, a slave-driver, the Roman emperors. As soon as Mrs. Reed heard the news, Jane was sent to the Red Room. Every child wants to be in others favor, so does Jane. But Jane, only at the age of 10, lost the parental love completely, and her aunt doesnt e

17、njoy her at all. In this case, it is very cruel and unhappy to such a young child. In the Red Room, she was frightened, but she kept a clear mind that she realized she needed to be saved from her blind fear of authority and be self-reliant. She thought that lot was unfair to her. John bullied her wi

18、thout any reasons, but he wasnt be punished. But she had only turned against him to avert farther irrational violence, she was loaded with general opprobrium. In Reeds family, all John Reeds violent tyrannies, all his sisters partiality, turned up in my disturbed mind like a dark deposit in a turbid

19、 well. Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever condemned?Why could I never please? Why was it useless to try to win any ones favor? Eliza, who, was headstrong and selfish, was respected, Georgiana, who had a spoiled temper, a very acid spite, a captions and insolent ca

20、rriage, was universally indulged, Her beauty, her pink cheeks and golden curls, seemed to give delight to I who, looked at her, and to purchase indemnity for every fault, No matter what John did, though he twisted the necks of the pigeons, he called his mother old girls; bluntly disregarded her wish

21、es; and he was still her own darling(Charlotte Bronte, 2002, Chapter2, p.11-12. On the contrary, little Jane always tried her best to do please others, but it turns to the opposite. She dared commit no fault, she strive to fulfill every duty. Finally, she was still termed naughty and tiresome, sulle

22、n and sneaking, from morning to noon, and from noon to night.When in the Red Room, her mind was in tumult, and all her heart in insurrection, her reason said unjust! I never compromise to them. I shall be independent, she hated Gateshead, hated everyone there. She hated Mrs.Reed was a bad, hard-hear

23、ted woman. She treated her with miserable cruelty. And she thought John was a rascal, parasite. He was indulged by his family. From John Reed Jane learned that dependence and incompetence invited nothing but scorn. This could be explained in the following chapters. John lived a wild life and gave hi

24、mself up to strange ways. Then he killed himself. Gateshead was a shelter for her, which taught her a lot of things. Only when she was independent, can she be respected by others. After all, she was a little girl, it was hard for her to be economically independent. Therefore, she decided to be indep

25、endent, self-sufficient in her mind. The Reeds were really mean to her and she thought they suck. Of course, the feeling was mutual. Therefore, she was spared from the Reeds and was sent to a low budget orphan school called Lowood Institution.III. At Lowood Institution, Jane gained strength from her

26、 teacher and fellow students toachieve her independence.(这是第二个原因:在 LOWOOD 学校,他遭受了更多的苦难,但是她从老师哪里学 到了更多的知识,他变得更坚强,更独立了。 But there, under the hypocritical Evangelicalism of the headmaster, Mr Brocklehurst, she suffered further privation in the austere environment. At Lowood, the poor girls didnt be all

27、owed to get much food, they were basically starving. And it was freezing all the time because he didnt shell out for heat. The condition there was disgusting, but Jane didnt submit to it. She gained her strength from her teacher and her fellow students to achieve her independence. Maria Temple, an i

28、ndependent woman, was the headmaster of the Institution. She was a responsible teacher, and kind to the students, even the low students. Consequently, she gained respect and popularity from the people around her. From Maria Temple, Jane learned that independence is a very important thing for everyon

29、e. In our modern society, it seems to be more important to be independent. When we grow up, there are many things need us to decide by ourselves. We cant depend on parents, friends all the time. The ways to tomorrow need us to open up, there is no one accompanies you all the time during your lifetim

30、e. Especially to our women, we cant always depend on men. At Lowood, she suffered a lot of humiliation in spirit, and went through the outbreak of typhus. Jane learned the importance of duty and self-control through the friendship with Helen. At the beginning, Jane had much sympathy for Helen. Becau

31、se Helen didnt dare to fight against the person insulted her. When Helen was to be flogged, and to be sent to stand in the middle of a room full of people. Jane thought that Helen should turn against others when she was bullied; she should resist to Miss Scatcherd, and dislike Miss Scatcherd. If Mis

32、s Scatcherd struck Jane with that rod, she should get it from her hand; she should break it under her nose. A great deal: you are good to those who are good to you. It is all ever desire to be. If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it

33、 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 without a reason, we should strike against very hard; I am sure we should so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again(Charlotte Bronte, 2002,Ch

34、apter 6, p. 68. What words are! It is really hard to believe it is spoken out of a 14 girls mouth. It is clearly known between the lines that Jane isnt willing to be at the mercy of others. Only if she is right and reasonable, she would do it without any hesitation. She was not obedient to anyone if

35、 someone bullied her, she would do the same thing to the others. As known to all, it is not violence that best overcomes hate, nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury. And Jane learned these from Helen. Helens actions and words deeply moved her. Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you co

36、uld not avoid it; it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear(Charlotte Bronte, 2002, Chapter6, p. 66. Then through the fri endship with Helen, she learned to be self-control in a certain degree. It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody fe

37、els but yourself, than to commit a hasty. Action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil(Charlotte Bronte, 2002, Chapter6, p. 66.Jane stayed at Lowood for 8 years. She attempted to do well in all aspects. She made rapid progr

38、ess both in study and work. Being influenced by the Enlightenment ideas, Jane became an erudite, wise and versatile girl. The dull school life didnt stop her pursuing progress, independence and freedom. She became more stronger that before in her heart. The idea of breaking out the conservative puri

39、tan life was not disappeared in her mind. She longed for a newform of life. So she got a job by herself.IV. At Thornfield, Jane developed her independence fully.这是第三个原因,他通过自己的双手获得了金钱At Thornfield, Jane developed her independence fully she worked as a governess to support herself. She completely earn

40、ed money through her own hand.She didnt need to rely on others. She was only at the age of 18, but she was self-sufficient . Jane was wise, kind, will-powered and independent. When she firstly came to Thornfield, she brought a new fresh air to the up-class family of England. Her character was unique

41、. She dared to say no to anyone, including her master, Mr, Rochester who was domineering and arrogant. When she talked with Mr. Rochester, she didnt avoid saying what she thought, whether Mr . Rochester was happy or not, when she found she fell love with Rochester, she attempted to control her passi

42、on. She wanted to be his friend and companion but not the one married. But when she knew Rochester was about to marry Miss Igram. She told him her feelings directly. Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automation? a machine without feelings? And con bear to have my

43、 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 mush soul as you, -and fall as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you t

44、o 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 as if both. Had passed the grave, and we stood at Gods feet, equal, -as we are!(Charlotte Bronte, 200

45、2,Chapter23, p.235. This is Janes real manifesto of human right. As to character and speaking, she is not inferior to her master. She dares to resist to her master severely to defend her own rights, does she think that her master could dismiss her at will? She thinks that if Rochester fires her, she

46、 is able to look for another job. When Rochester said that she was a wild frantic bird, she was very angry. She retorted she wasnt a bird, there was no net ensnared her. She was an independent woman. I am no bird; a nd no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with independent will, which I now ex

47、ert to leave you(Charlotte Bronte, 2002,Chapter23, p.326. Jane was independent all the time. She tried to defend her self-respect and self-sufficiency, not allowing other s to trample on similarly, Jane and Rochesters social position was far away, but Jane was neither humble nor pert, always looked

48、on herself as equal to him. She never looked down upon herself because of her low position and her pale beauty, just because Rochester loved her regardless of the common views and class views, Jane agreed to marry him. As Rochesters bride, she continued to be Adeles governess; when Rochester intende

49、d to give her a lot of jewelry and beautiful clothes, she refused. Generally, beautiful clothes and jewelries are the favorite things to woman. But Jane is out of the exception. Jane thought that real love was not based on money and jewelry. Her love didnt mix with other strange ideas. In her opinio

50、n, self-respect, independence, equa l rights are the fundamental elements of ones love. She didnt want to be the slave of money, and she didnt want to rely on others. Jane was always independent. Trammels and fetters are the tomb of marriage. Knowing that Rochester had a mad wife, kept in the attic

51、in Thornfield. Regardless of his explanation, she decided to leave him for not willing to be his mistress. And she struggled to remain her independence. When hearing Rochesters unhappy marriage, all of us have sympathy for him, so does Jane. Reasonably, Jane would left at Thorn field to accompany hi

52、m. On the contrary, she doesnt. Actually, its very sad for Jane to leave the place she liked, and the manshe deeply loved. To the lovers the most saddest thing is just less than this! However, Jane is the unique! She determined to leave Thornfield without any hesitation. The love story like Jane and

53、 Rochesters often could be found in our daily life. A plain girl falls love with a tycoon in a sudden, and he with her. Even when she finds that the tycoon has a wife, she is unwilling to leave him. Because she thinks that if she stays with the tycoon, she has a lot of money to buy the jewelry and b

54、eautiful clothes, all the things she wants. Only if the tycoon loves her, no matter what character she is, she is pleasant to be his mistress! What a ridiculous thing is! They dont know what real love is! They completely depend on the men. They are confused by love. They couldnt decide for themselve

55、s. But if the tycoon lost all his property, do they still stay with him? It is hard to say .As to Jane, whenever she is she always has the clearest head. She would choose she wants, do what she likes. This is the best thing for all human beings. As to our women, we cant depend on men completely we s

56、hould earn money through our efforts. We must be independent, never be subsidiary to others. Only self-love, self-respect and independence, we could gain respect from others.V . At Moor House, Jane learned the pleasure of self-sufficiency.第四个,他得到了真正的友谊和快乐 because of自我满足 and from Diana and Mary With

57、the information of Rochester having a wife, Jane was certain to pissed and upset. Therefore, she ran away. At the prerequisite of maintaining her own character she didnt take the jewelry and clothes which Rochester gave to her away. Jane arrived at the desolate crossroads of white cross and was redu

58、ced to begging for food. Fortunately, the Rivers siblings (St. John, Diana and Mary helped her.At Moor House, Jane learned the pleasure of self-sufficiency. She lived a happy lift there. She developed great affection for the ladies, Diana and Mary. And they are really nice to her. Jane became spirit

59、ually stronger and more confident through the friendship with Diana and Mary. She didnt want to live there for a long time. She intended to find a job to support herself. St. John was kind of shady but he found a job for her teaching at the local school. While teaching, she gained more social respect, and her students made progress quickly. Furthermore the students and their parents liked her very much. She was very happy and satisfied with her own cond