The Bildungsroman genre is typically concerned with the formation of a character, that character's coming-of-age, and progress through life. The conditions present in the Victorian era, and specifically the condition of contemporary gender relations, allowed this genre to produce almost exclusively male protagonists. Because masculinity was believed to possess the highest of virtues, such as honour, loyalty, and enterprise, only male character's had the possibility for self-realization, as can be seen in the Bildungsroman of Dickens (David Copperfield, Great Expectations), and in the genre's precursor, Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship by Goethe. This essay aims to illustrate, on the example of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, that self-realization and enterprise were in fact achievable for the contemporary woman. Contemporary social and literary theory, on the basis of the author's biography and the life story of her protagonist, Jane Eyre, demonstrate how the Victorian woman's life, though domestic in nature, proves to be more 'internalised', but equally productive, and at times even exceeds many of the endeavours of self development that men undertook.
Table of Contents
- The Bildungsroman and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre
- The Traditional Bildungsroman
- The Female Bildungsroman: Possibilities and Limitations
- Jane Eyre as a Female Bildungsroman
- Charlotte Brontë and the Victorian Context
- Jane Eyre and the Governess Narrative
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the Bildungsroman genre, traditionally viewed as a male narrative, and examines the possibility of applying its framework to female characters. It analyzes Charlotte Brontë's *Jane Eyre* as a potential example of a female Bildungsroman, considering the social constraints faced by women in Victorian England. The essay investigates how Brontë adapts the traditional structure to depict a female protagonist's development.
- The traditional male Bildungsroman and its characteristics.
- The limitations and possibilities of applying the Bildungsroman model to female characters in a Victorian context.
- The role of social constraints in shaping the narrative of female development.
- The exploration of internal and external factors contributing to Jane Eyre's maturation.
- The unique challenges and adaptations in portraying a female Bildungsroman protagonist.
Chapter Summaries
The Bildungsroman and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre: This introductory chapter establishes the essay's central argument: while the Bildungsroman traditionally focuses on male protagonists, it can be adapted to represent female development. It uses Goethe's *Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship* as a prime example of the traditional male Bildungsroman, highlighting its focus on a male character's self-discovery and maturation. The chapter introduces the concept of “bildung” as the formation of a character, typically male, and poses the question of how this model can be applied to female characters, using *Jane Eyre* as a case study. The chapter contrasts the typical male protagonist's journey with the limited social avenues available to women in Victorian England.
The Traditional Bildungsroman: This section delves deeper into the characteristics of the traditional male Bildungsroman. It describes the protagonist's journey from childhood to maturity, emphasizing the achievement of wisdom and responsibility as key milestones. The chapter uses Goethe's Wilhelm Meister as a model to illustrate the concept of a self-contained, masculine "self" that progresses through a series of experiences, ultimately achieving a state of fulfillment. The chapter also draws a parallel between the structure of a Bildungsroman and a Curriculum Vitae, highlighting the charting of a life's significant events and achievements.
The Female Bildungsroman: Possibilities and Limitations: This chapter explores the challenges of applying the Bildungsroman structure to female protagonists in Victorian England. It discusses the limited social options available to women and how these constraints influence their developmental paths. The chapter uses examples of female characters from nineteenth-century literature (Maggie Tulliver, Madame Bovary, Effie Briest, Anna Karenina) to illustrate the restricted horizons and often tragic outcomes faced by women who attempt to transgress social boundaries. It sets the stage for considering alternative approaches to portraying female self-development.
Jane Eyre as a Female Bildungsroman: This chapter analyzes *Jane Eyre* as a potential example of a female Bildungsroman. It argues that Jane's development should not be solely assessed based on external achievements, but also on her internal psychological and emotional growth. The chapter introduces feminist theories (Chadorow and Gilligan) to posit alternative models of the self, emphasizing the relational and interconnected nature of female identity. It suggests that Jane's development can be viewed as a complex process encompassing both external events and internal experiences that contribute to her formation as a mature woman.
Charlotte Brontë and the Victorian Context: This section examines the biographical context of Charlotte Brontë and its influence on her writing. It explores the impact of her upbringing in a patriarchal Victorian household, the tragic circumstances within her family, and her awareness of the limited opportunities available to women. The chapter emphasizes her father's role in shaping her open-mindedness and free-thinking nature. It also links Brontë's portrayal of female characters (Jane Eyre, Villette) to a potential transformation of society, as argued by Richard Chase.
Jane Eyre and the Governess Narrative: This chapter explores the governess narrative within *Jane Eyre* and its significance to the story's overall theme of female development. It discusses the governess's unique position within the household, characterized by ambiguous relationships with both the children and the master/mistress. The chapter mentions Freud's interpretation of the governess narrative and links Jane's experiences as a governess to her own coming-of-age and maturation. The chapter also analyses how Jane navigates societal constraints and develops her "self" through unconventional means given her confined circumstances.
Keywords
Bildungsroman, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë, Victorian literature, feminist theory, female development, social constraints, gender roles, self-discovery, maturation, governess narrative, patriarchal society.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Jane Eyre as a Female Bildungsroman
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay explores whether Charlotte Brontë's *Jane Eyre* can be considered a female Bildungsroman, examining how the traditional male-focused Bildungsroman framework can be adapted to depict a woman's development within the constraints of Victorian society.
What is a Bildungsroman?
A Bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story that typically follows a male protagonist's journey from childhood to maturity, emphasizing their self-discovery, intellectual and moral development, and the achievement of wisdom and responsibility. Goethe's *Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship* is often cited as a prime example.
How does this essay apply the Bildungsroman concept to *Jane Eyre*?
The essay argues that while the traditional Bildungsroman focuses on external achievements, *Jane Eyre* requires a broader interpretation. It considers Jane's internal psychological and emotional growth as crucial to her development, drawing upon feminist theories to offer alternative models of female identity that emphasize relational and interconnected aspects.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the limitations and possibilities of applying the Bildungsroman model to female characters in a Victorian context; the impact of social constraints on female development; the exploration of both internal and external factors in Jane Eyre's maturation; the unique challenges of portraying a female Bildungsroman protagonist; and the role of the governess narrative in Jane Eyre's journey.
What are the limitations faced by women in applying the Bildungsroman framework?
The essay highlights the limited social options available to women in Victorian England, the restricted horizons they faced, and the often tragic outcomes for those who transgressed social boundaries. Examples from other nineteenth-century literature are used to illustrate these limitations.
How does the Victorian context influence the interpretation of *Jane Eyre*?
The essay examines Charlotte Brontë's biographical context—her upbringing, the tragic circumstances within her family, and the limited opportunities available to women—and its influence on her writing and portrayal of female characters. It also explores how Brontë's work might reflect a potential societal transformation.
What is the significance of the governess narrative in *Jane Eyre*?
The essay analyzes the governess narrative's unique position within the household, characterized by ambiguous relationships with both children and employers. It connects Jane's experiences as a governess to her coming-of-age, demonstrating how she navigates societal constraints and develops her sense of self through unconventional means given her confined circumstances.
What are some key feminist theories discussed in the essay?
The essay utilizes feminist theories by scholars like Chadorow and Gilligan to offer alternative models of the self, highlighting the relational and interconnected nature of female identity and providing a framework for understanding Jane's development.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes chapter summaries outlining the essay's arguments, methodology, and use of literary examples. These summaries cover the traditional male Bildungsroman, the challenges of applying the model to female characters, an analysis of *Jane Eyre* as a female Bildungsroman, biographical context of Charlotte Brontë, and the significance of the governess narrative.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include Bildungsroman, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë, Victorian literature, feminist theory, female development, social constraints, gender roles, self-discovery, maturation, governess narrative, and patriarchal society.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2010, The Bildungsroman and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/183095
