Feminism in Jane Eyre and the wide sargasso sea Essay

Ladan Abdullahi Feminism in Jane eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea A patriarchal society is a world in which men are the sole decision makers and hold positions of power and the highest authority. Patriarchy occurs when men are dominant, not necessarily in numbers but in their status related to decision making and power. As a result, women are introduced to a world made by men, and a history refined by a mans actions. In jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea, the author focuses on the history of Bertha, one of the characters who are not given a voice in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre. Although, Jane and Bertha have disparate lives, they are both victims of the patriarchal society in which they inhibit.The novels Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and†¦show more content†¦This story is presented in a three part narrative, the middle part being in the first person voice of Rochester (although he is never named), the other two being the voice of Antoinette who later became the mad woman, Bertha in Charlotte Bro ntes Jane Eyre. In the Wide Sargasso Sea, the main character refuses to be controlled by her husband, Mr.Rochester. Rochester renames her, it is evident that he uses this as a means to controls her.By altering her name, he believes that she is his property. Although, Mr.Rochester is attempting break her down physically and mentally, Antoinette, informs Mr.Rochester that she does not agree with him,and speaks up for herself in the process She says: ‘Bertha is not my name. You are trying to make me into someone else, calling me by another name’ (Rhys 115). Renaming her is one way in which Rochester exerts his masculine power over his wife, but Antoinette only seems to submit to it. By standing up to Mr.Rochester, she is not allowing herself to be controlled by a man. In the end, however, after all the abuse she suffers under the hand of Mr.Rochester, she manages to break free from the suffering by making her last act of self-determination. By setting Mr.Rochester`s home on fire, the main character is committing an act of female liberation. Knowing that her fate is doomed, and the future is inevitable, Antoinette decides toShow MoreRelatedComparing Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesJean Rhys’s fiction book, Wide Sargasso Sea is an interesting relation to Jane Eyre. The female character of Jane Eyre forms into a furiously, passionate, independent young woman. The female character of Jean Rhys’s illustration is a character that Jane will know further on as Rochester’s crazy wife who is bolted in an attic. 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