How Jane Austen And Charlotte Bronte Uses The Heroines Of Pride And Prejudice And Jane Eyre To Engage The Readers In The Story

Women's rights have often been the subject of literature and it is usually written from a feminist’s point of view. This type of literature stems from the conditions in society which contribute to the oppression of women. This theme has had an impact on readers of a wide variety of genres. Books which explore this topic usually set out to teach the audience the importance of how to approach problems and how to build strong and healthy relationships with the people around them. This essay examines how Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte uses the heroines of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre to engage the readers in the story. To explore the research topic, the personality and character of the two heroines, Elizabeth and Jane, will be discussed and analyzed. This will be accomplished by an examination of the world building in the novels, the challenges the heroines faces and how they get resolved, and how the characters build loving and healthy relationships with the one they love.

The portrayal of roles and how they affect the characters emotionally builds a strong background and meaningful characterization. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses dialogue between characters to portray roles. Women in this society are held to high standards. This is seen when it is said that “A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address, and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved.” Upper-class women like Elizabeth are expected to be elegant and graceful. However, the skills they are meant to learn are more decorative than anything. It is not said that they should learn about subjects like science or economics. Men in this society can seem shallow and make marriage seem more like a business deal rather than an act of love. This is clear in Mr. Collins’s marriage proposal which is very long and formal. His compliments are not genuine and he does not seem to love with a passion. It is very formal and sophisticated, unlike what love and marriage represent in today’s society. Austen doesn’t just describe it however, she composes a long and boring proposal for the readers to read. This helps to emphasize just how monotonous and dull his proposal is. This is further explored upon the fact that just a few days later, Mr. Collins suddenly change his mind and proposes to Charlotte instead.

In Jane Eyre, the roles are presented through Jane Eyre’s commentary. We get a sense of how women should present themselves in society when Jane says “Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do.” We can deduce from here that Victorian women are tired of being metaphorically “locked up” and unable to experience the freedom of their counterpart. Bertha Mason, whose suppressed feelings turn to madness and fury makes her seem monstrous and inhuman. This can be seen as a symbol of the suppressed nature of women in this society. When Jane comments on the marriage of Mr. Rochester and Blanche, she points out that many of the marriages in this society are not of love but of beauty, money, and class. She mentions how they are obviously not suited for each other was Blanche “could not charm” Mr. Rochester.

Bronte uses a matter-of-fact tone here to emphasize how commonplace this type of thinking was in that society. After introducing the type of society Elizabeth and Jane lives in, the reader is shown how these situations affect the character and the characters around them. There is the sense of superiority of males to females in the society of Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Collins blames his misfortune entirely on Elizabeth’s character when he says “But if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, because if liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.” Mr. Collins wants to be happy when he gets married, which is fair. However, he fails to consider the happiness of Elizabeth. This is seen through the fact that he calls her foolish for having a different idea of happiness.

Elizabeth’s witty nature is odd to the characters around her, which makes them turn away from her. For example, Darcy rejects the idea of dancing with Elizabeth because he is too turned off by her “pride”. He shows his displeasure when he says “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.” The effect of social norms on Darcy is expressed here as a small comment but is also touched on later when he finds difficulty admitting his love for Elizabeth. Austen paints Darcy as a terrible person at the beginning by only showing his negative side to Elizabeth. Even though the readers learn of Darcy’s nobility, we are forced to agree with Elizabeth’s initial perceptions of Darcy. This makes his character arc more interesting and engaging to both Elizabeth and the readers as his true nature are gradually revealed. With Jane, the reader is shown her personality and feelings through many of the interesting dialogues. When Mr.Rochester says that he believes knowledge and wisdom is gained from time, she replies with “I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have — your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.” Bronte uses this moment to show the reader what kind of person Jane is. She is strong headed and enjoys an intellectual conversation where all parties are participating equally. It reflects how Jane is always reflecting on who she is and what she wants which greatly contrasts with the gentle and calm nature that was expected of her. Bronte illustrates this by giving Jane’s speech a witty tone. She is not authoritative or demanding but she is also not submissive. Jane’s tone of voice is often subtle, affectionate and playful. By allowing Jane to have a pleasant and realistic character, the reader is able to invest more in the world of the book and the characters in it.

Austen and Bronte both use subtle stylistic choices to build the world around the characters. By using methods like having the reader discover things along with Elizabeth or giving Jane traits which are understandable engages the reader in the world of the story. The reader’s attention is captured using these methods which allows them to invest in the story early on. The heroines Elizabeth and Jane are shown to be smart, witty, and charming. However, both characters have weaknesses which result in stubbornness. The way the characters approaches the problems portrays a smart and strong personality but also shows the ways that they can make mistakes as well.

We that see in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is quick to judge Darcy and because of her confident personality, she is not easily influenced or convinced otherwise. We see this when she says “If his own vanity, however, did not mislead him, he was the cause, his pride and caprice were the cause, of all that Jane had suffered, and still continued to suffer. He had ruined for a while every hope of happiness for the most affectionate, generous heart in the world; and no one could say how lasting an evil he might have inflicted.” Elizabeth’s impression of Darcy was very sour right from the beginning. She does not believe anyone could possibly want to marry such a proud man and blames how uncomfortable she is completely on Darcy. We see that Elizabeth is also influenced by the thought of society. Presumably, most people she’s met fit the social norm so when she meets Darcy, she does not really give him a chance before forming her opinion of her. Elizabeth’s perceptions of Darcy is broken when faced with an opinion of Darcy that is completely wonderful and glowing.

In Jane Eyre, Jane’s abuse in her childhood had led her to become a person who prioritizes herself. We see that whenever she makes decisions, she may feel bad for whoever she is leaving, however, if she believes that she will gain wisdom and happiness by taking time for herself, she will not be convinced otherwise. We see this when she says “But, then, a voice within me averred that I could do it and foretold that I should do it. I wrestled with my own resolution: I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and Conscience, turned tyrant, held Passion by the throat, told her tauntingly, she had yet but dipped her dainty foot in the slough, and swore that with that arm of iron he would thrust her down to unsounded depths of agony.” Jane argues with herself whether she could really leave Mr. Rochester. However, Jane knows immediately and certainly what she will do in this situation. From her past experience, Jane holds her freedom and independence above all else. Jane is headstrong and determined to not let anyone get in her way again after she escapes from her aunt. However, despite this certainty, Bronte uses words such as suffering, tauntingly, and agony to describe Jane’s dilemma which shows that even with all the influences in her past, Jane is not entirely sure of her decision. Even though both characters have a strong will and self-independence, they also know when to accept the guidance and help of others.

In Pride and Prejudice we see “When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace — when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained ... the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible.” Mrs. Reynolds’s glowing descriptions of Darcy helps to break the initial prejudice Elizabeth gave against him. Elizabeth realizes that she needs to respect people if she also wants to be respected. As Mrs. Reynolds reveals a hidden side of Darcy, Elizabeth realizes how hastily she has judged him. Elizabeth’s emotional maturity is demonstrated when she recognizes that she is wrong and changes herself. Elizabeth does not let arrogance prevent her personal growth, unlike Miss Bingley, who resorts to condemn Elizabeth when she realizes that Darcy favors her. This is important as she is known by the other characters to be quite prideful and confident.

In Jane Eyre, we see that Jane is still able to love Mr. Rochester and accept him into her life despite everything that happened in her childhood. His genuine feelings come through in his words to her, “I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you — especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame.” He explains how he feels connected to her and always feel drawn to her as if they were tied together by a string and by the end of the book, Jane realizes how much she loves Mr. Rochester and how much they care about each other. Although Jane disagreed with how Mr. Rochester handled Bertha, she realizes that once they come to an understanding, they will be able to connect with each other. This is contrasted by St. John, who does not consider the perspective of Jane when he proposes to her. He rejects his love for Miss Rosamond because he does not believe she makes an ideal missionary wife, and he proposes to Jane, although neither St. John or Jane have real feelings for each other Both Elizabeth and Jane make mistakes and eventually come to terms with and resolve the problem.

Elizabeth and Jane both have a tendency to rely on their emotional sense to guide them, which can sometimes cause them to make rash decisions. Austen and Bronte use their different problems and solutions to show how our emotional biases affect everyone. Using an issue that is easy to recognize and empathize with, readers will become more invested in each character’s development throughout the novel. The idea of love is portrayed as beautiful and complicated in the novels. The heroines are met with feelings of temptations and the ideas of unsatisfactory or unmeaningful relationships. In Pride and Prejudice, we see temptation when we read “Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty ... But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes ... he was forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness.” Although Darcy had a disdain for Elizabeth in the beginning, he becomes increasingly attracted to her intelligence. Elizabeth’s wit charms him even though society taught Darcy to reject this kind of behavior from women. Darcy’s idea of a good partner shifts from being able to fit into society’s norms to be able to distinguish themselves as their own person and the chemistry he has with them. Similarly, Elizabeth’s perception of Darcy was sour in the beginning because she refused to see him a different light, after a while, she begins to see him in a new light, as certain incidents help illustrate the good in his character.

We can also see this temptation in Jane Eyre when Jane recounts “I looked at his features, beautiful in their harmony, but strangely formidable in their still severity; at his brow, commanding, but not open; at his eyes, bright and deep and searching, but never soft; at his tall imposing figure; and fancied myself in idea his wife. Oh! it would never do! As his curate, his comrade, all would be right: I would cross oceans with him in that capacity; toil under Eastern suns, in Asian deserts with him in that office; admire and emulate his courage and devotion and vigor: accommodate quietly to his masterhood; smile undisturbed at his ineradicable ambition. . .” Jane dramatizes the interior conflict involved in making her decision. In many ways, the proposal tempts her. It is an opportunity to perform good works and to be more than a governess, schoolteacher, or housewife — the roles traditionally open to women. In her rejection of Rochester, Jane privileged her principle over feeling. Jane expresses the importance of self-respect and independence. If Jane stayed with Rochester, she would be compromising herself, because she would be Rochester’s mistress and not his wife. If there is the slightest chance that she is not able to be completely free, she will reject the idea completely. However, now she recognizes the importance of emotion and realizes that everything in life requires a balance. The author uses the feeling of infatuation and uneasiness to build tension and anticipation from the reader, which pays off when the conflict is resolved. Even if they are driven by emotional responses. The important factors of a good relationship are also shown through the character’s actions and dialogue.

In Pride and Prejudice, we see Darcy say “What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” Darcy highlights how his attitude towards love has changed thanks to his meeting with Elizabeth. This emphasizes how highly he thinks of Elizabeth. It talks about the importance of being open-minded and reflects on whether your perception is right or wrong. This statement is true of Elizabeth herself as we discussed previously. This is important as this moment also draws meaning from the title. The characters are prideful at the beginning with and make presumptions about everyone around them. However, they can learn to become more open-minded and accepting.

In Jane Eyre, we touch on the importance of choice. At the end, Jane says, “I have now been married ten years. I know what it is to live entirely for and with what I love best on earth. I hold myself supremely blest — blest beyond what language can express; because I am my husband’s life as fully as he is mine. No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. I know no weariness of my Edward’s society: he knows none of mine, any more than we each do of the pulsation of the heart that beats in our separate bosoms; consequently, we are ever together. To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company. We talk, I believe, all day long: to talk to each other is but a more animated and an audible thinking. All my confidence is bestowed on him, all his confidence is devoted to me; we are precisely suited in character — perfect concord is the result.” One might argue that Jane relinquishes her powers of thought and expression, which are two characteristics that have shaped her decisions for the majority of the novel. However, it must be recognized that Rochester can no longer presume to be Jane’s “master” in any sense. Because of this, Jane feels more comfortable and certain about their relationship than before. Moreover, when Jane went to Rochester the second time, it was of her independent choice. At first, she does not feel that she is on an equal level with Mr. Rochester. This is all made worse with the reveal of Bertha. However, now that the problem resolved itself, she finally feels that there are no boundaries between them. At the Moor House, she finds the love and support she needs, and she does not completely rely on Rochester for emotional nurturance.

Austen and Bronte gave their heroines a tough and emotional journey throughout the books. They use elements such as the character’s mistakes, feelings of temptations, and struggles to build towards an ending which is satisfying and well deserved. Addressing “how Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte uses the heroines of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre to engage the readers in the story”, it can be seen that both Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte uses similar techniques by using the main character as a way to connect with the reader. The heroines are able to learn, change, and grow through their character arc which is accompanied by interesting scenarios and problems. Austen and Bronte used similar themes and problems which were easy to understand to draw in the reader’s attention and keep their interests. The reader’s interest is captured by the world building through dialogue and interesting characters and it is kept throughout the book using the problems the characters face in their respective arcs. Furthermore, this interest was used to instill certain life lessons into the book. Through their own mistakes the characters show the reader the importance of forgiveness, and finally, they show the importance of working to build a relationship. Both Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre shows the reader that they can always strive for the better and work towards their goal until they are satisfied and fulfilled. Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte effectively use heroines Elizabeth and Jane to hold the audience’s sympathy and understanding using the techniques discussed in this essay to immerse them in the story.