The portrayal of women in literature has perpetually been a subject of profound discussion and analysis. The 19th-century literature especially serves as a critical lens through which the societal positions, expectations, and limitations imposed on women during the era can be explored. Two seminal works, 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë, while crafted by female authors of the same epoch, present distinctive perspectives and narratives concerning the roles, challenges, and autonomy of women. This essay aims to juxtapose the depiction of women within these two iconic novels, unraveling the multifaceted characters and underlying themes that address femininity, social mobility, and autonomy in the 19th-century British society.
Understanding the portrayal of women in both novels necessitates a comprehension of the sociocultural and economic contexts that influenced women’s roles and statuses during the 19th century. Women in this epoch were predominantly tethered to the domestic sphere, encapsulating roles that underscored morality, nurturance, and emotional support, whilst being considerably confined by societal norms and expectations. [1]
Jane Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice' presents us with Elizabeth Bennet, a character who, while compliant with certain societal expectations, subtly contravenes the norms. Elizabeth’s sagacity, wit, and unwillingness to conform strictly to the societal paradigms of matrimonial pursuit, echo Austen's commentary on the limitations and prescriptions ascribed to women. Elizabeth is neither a vehement rebel nor a passive conformist; instead, she navigates through the societal constructs, showcasing an intelligent, pragmatic, and nuanced resistance to the normative. [2]
In contrast, 'Jane Eyre' delineates a potent and more overt struggle for self-identity, independence, and respect amidst a rigidly hierarchical and patriarchal society. Jane, orphaned and destitute, begins her journey within the confines of a mercilessly stringent social and economic system, battling not only the expectations tethered to her gender but also those related to class and status. Her pursuit of autonomy, equality, and emotional fulfillment serves as a powerful narrative, intertwining themes of self-actualization, morality, and social critique, elucidating Brontë’s contemplation on women’s independence, spiritual values, and societal judgments. [3]
Matrimony, a prevalent theme in both novels, is enmeshed with women's autonomy and societal expectations. In 'Pride and Prejudice', marriage represents a complex tapestry of economic security, societal status, and, for Elizabeth, an unexpected domain of genuine companionship and intellectual parity. The intricacies of Elizabeth's marital choices underscore a delicate balance of pragmatic considerations and emotional sincerity, revealing Austen’s intrinsic commentary on the matrimonial economics and genuine connection within the societal norms of her time. [4]
In contrast, 'Jane Eyre' reflects a more distinct emphasis on matrimony as an avenue towards emotional and social equality. Jane's decision to reject Rochester’s initial marriage proposal, despite the apparent elevation it would grant her within society, is illustrative of her pursuit of authentic respect, love, and moral integrity. Her subsequent choice to unite with him after his fall from societal grace and economic prowess signifies a triumph of personal morality and emotional reciprocity over social and economic expediency. [5]
'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Jane Eyre' both illuminate the restrictions and possibilities available to women navigating through the social hierarchies of 19th-century Britain. Elizabeth Bennet’s engagements with upper-class individuals like Darcy and Lady Catherine manifest Austen’s exploration of mobility, propriety, and resistance within a rigid class structure. Elizabeth's encounters and her eventual matrimony with Darcy exemplify a subtle disruption of class boundaries, whilst also complying with the notion that marriage was a viable route towards upward mobility for women. [6]
Jane Eyre, in contrast, pivots significantly around the protagonist's journey through various social strata, navigating from the squalor of Lowood to the affluence of Thornfield. Jane’s persistent battle for respect and autonomy within these diverse settings is often underscored by her economic vulnerability and social status as a governess, thereby reflecting a more complex and overt commentary on the intersections of class, gender, and autonomy. [7]
In both novels, the protagonists exhibit a robust moral compass, albeit shaped and expressed amidst differing circumstances and challenges. Elizabeth Bennet's moral framework is often expressed through her discernment in navigating the social and moral complexities of her environment. Her rejection of Mr. Collins’s proposal, despite its promise of economic security, and her initial repudiation of Darcy reflect a discerning moral and emotional intelligence that contravenes mere economic or societal convenience. [8]
Jane Eyre’s morality, on the other hand, is persistently tested and exhibited amidst harsher circumstances of deprivation, inequality, and moral dilemma. Her choice to leave Rochester, despite her profound love for him, when faced with a moral and societal transgression (his attempt at bigamy), illustrates a profound commitment to her ethical beliefs and self-respect, despite societal and emotional costs. [9]
Both novels portray a journey towards self-awareness and development that defies the external limitations imposed upon the protagonists. Elizabeth Bennet navigates through societal expectations and familial pressures whilst sustaining her intellectual curiosity, wit, and emotional integrity. Her self-realization is reflected through her understanding and critical acknowledgment of her prejudices and misjudgments, particularly towards Darcy, which Austen elegantly intertwines with broader commentaries on societal norms and individual discrepancies. [10]
Jane Eyre's journey towards self-realization, however, is notably tumultuous and transformative, traversing through various emotional and social landscapes. Jane’s evolution from a marginalized and abused child to an autonomous and morally fortified woman elucidates Brontë’s exploration of self-realization amidst adversity. Her experiences, embedded with themes of rejection, isolation, love, and moral dilemma, serve not only as a potent narrative of individual fortitude but also as a nuanced critique of the societal structures that govern gender and class. [11]
Secondary female characters in both novels also offer valuable insights into the contrasting perspectives on femininity and societal roles. In 'Pride and Prejudice', characters such as Jane Bennet, Lydia Bennet, and Lady Catherine serve to contrast and highlight Elizabeth’s autonomy and resistance, reflecting varied responses to societal norms, vulnerabilities, and rebellions. [12]
Conversely, 'Jane Eyre' presents characters like Bertha Mason and Helen Burns, whose experiences and dispositions serve as foils to Jane's character, offering alternative narratives of resistance, compliance, and tragedy that underscore and magnify Jane's struggle and autonomy within a restrictive and patriarchal society. [13]
'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Jane Eyre' continue to resonate due to their profound explorations of women’s experiences, aspirations, and resistances within a rigid societal framework. Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre, despite navigating through the shared societal norms and gendered expectations of 19th-century Britain, embody distinctive narratives of resistance, autonomy, and moral fortitude. Their journeys, though divergent in circumstance and outcome, collectively weave a rich tapestry that continues to provoke reflections on femininity, autonomy, and resistance in contemporary dialogues on gender and society.
[1] "Gender roles in the 19th century"
[2] "Character and Caricature in Jane Austen"
[3] "British Library: Jane Eyre and the 19th-century woman
[4] "Free Indirect Discourse, Coding, and Point of View"
[5] "Research Gate: The Depiction of True and Pure Love in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre"
[6] "How Jane Austen’s characters do Christmas"
[7] British Library Review: 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë"
[8] "Pride and Prejudice: 200 Years"
[9] "Jane Eyre | Summary, Analysis, & Facts"
[10] "Pride and Prejudice's 'Rather Too Light & Bright & Sparkling'"
[11] "Inconstant ghosts: Jane Eyre's ancestors and the family drama"
[13] "Jane Eyre"