A Comparison between the Methods of Women for Dealing with the Norms, Values and Manners of Society in Two Novels: Emma by Jane Austen and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is a classic novel written by Charlotte Bronte It follows the life of the protagonist, Jane, an orphaned girl who, after many years of hardship, finds her life’s true purpose. Throughout the novel, Bronte successfully intertwines themes of love, justice, and self-discovery. Jane’s life is punctuated by the major events of her day-to-day life, such as fulfilling her role as a governess and later, falling in love.
One interesting essay topic idea is exploring the effect of love on the development of Jane's character. In the novel, Jane meets two people who vie for her love, Rochester and St. John. From Rochester, Jane learns how to inject passion and emotion into her life. She also learns to accept love and devotion. On the other hand, St. John teaches Jane the power of inner strength and self-control, which she uses to break free from his control and chart her own course.
A second topic is examining Jane's struggle to find her identity. Throughout the novel, Jane is met with the dilemma of having to choose between the roles society dictates she should adopt and the life she desires. Ultimately, Jane learns to accept who she is and finds fulfillment in her life. Her journey of self-discovery is inspiring and shows how self-belief and perseverance can help conquer any obstacle.
A third essay topic is analyzing Jane's relationship with Rochester. In their relationship, Rochester is the dominant partner and Jane is the submissive one. Bronte uses this to show the struggle for power and dominance that existed in the Victorian era. Rochester's domineering nature also serves to illustrate the oppression of women. Jane’s defiance of him and subsequent escape emphasizes the importance of independence and self-reliance.
A fourth topic is analyzing the role of oppression in Jane's life. Bronte uses oppressive figures such as Mrs. Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and St. John to illustrate the oppressive nature of Victorian society. She also uses Jane’s faith and education to show the power of knowledge and wisdom in overcoming adversity. Jane’s defiance of their authority ultimately triumphs and serves to show the importance of standing up for oneself and one’s beliefs.
Finally, a fifth topic is exploring the role of religion in the novel. Bronte uses religion to explore the idea of morality and how it affects one’s life. She also uses religion to illustrate the idea of redemption, especially in the characters of St. John and Rochester. Through their actions, Bronte shows how even those who make mistakes can find redemption and forgiveness through their spirituality.
In conclusion, Jane Eyre is a timeless classic that offers a variety of interesting essay topics. Some of the best essay topics include exploring the effect of love on the development of Jane's character, examining Jane’s struggle to find her identity, analyzing Jane's relationship with Rochester, analyzing the role of oppression in Jane's life, and exploring the role of religion in the novel.