Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre features two women, Jane and Bertha Mason, who struggle for control and sanity in their respective lives. While Jane challenges social norms, Bertha is oppressed and silenced by her husband, leading to confinement and violence. Jane’s class and gender limitations, and Bertha’s Creole heritage and madness, are also explored. While Jane’s independence leads her to happiness, Bertha’s confinement leads to her tragic fate. However, both characters question the norms of their time, offering a powerful portrayal of 19th-century women.
Jane Eyre vs. Bertha Mason: A Struggle for Sanity and Control
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre portrays two women, Jane and Bertha Mason, who battle for control and sanity in their lives. Jane must overcome her oppressive upbringing and the expectations of society to find her place and happiness, while Bertha struggles with mental illness, violence, and confinement. This article will compare and contrast the two characters’ experiences and motivations, exploring themes of power, gender, class, and madness.
Background and setting
Jane Eyre is born in poverty and raised by her cruel aunt and cousins at Gateshead Hall. She later attends Lowood School and works as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with Mr. Rochester. Bertha Mason, on the other hand, is a Creole woman from Jamaica who is brought by Mr. Rochester to England as his wife. She is locked in the attic of Thornfield Hall and is revealed to be Mr. Rochester’s first wife.
Power dynamics
Jane is a strong and independent woman who struggles to assert her autonomy in a society where men hold the power. She challenges social norms and defies her male superiors, leaving her job at Thornfield Hall when she discovers Mr. Rochester’s secret marriage. Bertha, however, is a victim of power and oppression, trapped in the attic by her husband and treated as a monster. She is silenced and marginalized, with no control over her own life or actions.
Gender and class
Jane’s position as a governess and a woman in Victorian England limits her options and opportunities. She is aware of her class and gender disadvantages and tries to overcome them through education and self-improvement. Bertha’s racial and cultural background also contributes to her subjugation and confinement. Her Creole heritage is seen as exotic and dangerous, and her madness is perceived as a result of her ancestry and upbringing.
Mental illness
Jane is not portrayed as mentally ill, although she struggles with depression, loneliness, and self-doubt. She finds solace in her Christian faith and her love for Mr. Rochester. Bertha, however, is categorized as a madwoman, with her behavior and appearance linked to stereotypes of insanity and witchcraft. She is seen as a threat to society’s order and morality, and her confinement is justified as a means of protection for herself and others.
Conclusion
Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason represent two different paths and outcomes for women in the 19th century. Jane’s struggle for independence and self-determination leads her to a happy ending, while Bertha’s confinement and madness lead to her tragic demise. However, both characters challenge and question the norms and assumptions of their time, and their stories continue to resonate with readers today.
