简爱的反叛精神---毕业论文.doc

【标题】简爱的反叛精神 【作者】蒋梦佩 【关键词】夏洛蒂?勃朗特；简?爱；反叛的；性格 【指导老师】白 敏 黄凤菊 【专业】英语 【正文】I. IntroductionCharlotte Bronte is a famous English novelist in the 19th century. Jane Eyre is her representative work. And Charlotte Bronte is famous for Jane Eyre.At the time of Charlotte Bronte s writing of Jane Eyre, in order to put down the workers movement, British bourgeois government takes some reform measures on surface, such as adopting the act of ten hours work for female labor. But the womens status in society at that time has not been improved rather than gaining the equal right. Though going through the Charter movement, which has three climaxes and attracts millions of workers and labors to take part in to fight for equal right, it still isnt able to solve the equality problem between men and women. In Jane Eyre, Charlotte describes the experience of an orphan girl. Through this orphan girls experience, it reflects the miserable condition of British women at that time. Also through this orphan girls seeking happy love life which finally becomes true, it reflects the demand of women of shaking off mens oppress, discrimination and striving for freedom and equality.Jane Eyre first appears an orphan lodging with her aunt, who resents her and shamelessly favors her own children. Later, Jane is sent away to a charity school run by Mr. Brocklehursr, where through the harsh regime, she learns how to survive and eventually succeeds in becoming a teacher there herself. She advertises for a post as governess, and is appointed to care for Adele, the ward of the sardonic Edward Rochester at Thornfield Hall. What attracts Rochester to Jane is not her looks, as she is small and plain, but the honesty with which she speaks her mind, and her practical common sense, which enables her to save his life. Above all, her wit and sensitivity, which help her cope with social and inter-personal complexity. He proposes marriage, but she discovers at the altar that he already has a wife, Bertha, a lunatic woman who is kept in the attic at Thornfield. In her philosophy, Jane does not think it right to become Rochesters mistress and decides to leave Thornfield. At the critical moment of her life, she is rescued by the Rivers family, who coincidently turns out to cousin and tells Jane that she is the heiress to a decent sum of money sufficient to make her have the economic security for life. St. John Rivers, who is planning to go to India as a missionary, asks her to marry him and follow him in his calling. On the point of accepting the offer, Jane hears a supernatural cry from Rochester. She rushes back to Thornfield only to find that the house has been burned down by Bertha, and Rochester himself has been blinded in an unsuccessful attempt to save his wife. Finally Jane decides that it is time to marry him.Jane Eyres character of rebelling runs through the novel from the beginning to the end. In unfair Gateshead, her aunts home, Jane rebels; in Logwood, the orphanage school, which has vile environment further built her character of rebelling; in Thornfiled, it is a distillation of her rebelling personality; in Moor house consort with St. John, it reflects the pursuit of Jane Eyre. Generally speaking, the personality of rebellious makes her emotion life up and down.II. Jane Eyres Rebellious Spirit from Environment Incidents Environment models Jane Eyres rebellious spirit, and it is the fertile soil to form Jane Eyres rebellious spirit.A. Bitter ChildhoodJane Eyre is an orphan, without parents, brothers and sisters. As an orphan whom Mrs. Reed doesnt prefer to adopt, Jane is an“external person”,“an alien”,“a person rather than servant”. In Gateshead she does not have an explicit position and identity. She lives upon others under the cold shoulder and discrimination of the Aunts Reed. She is weak and plain, no one likes her. The servants keep admonishing Jane Eyre that she is under that obligation of Mrs. Reed.Mrs. Reeds daughters and son can play, but Jane cant be allowed, because she is asked to do manual work; Mrs. Reeds daughters and son can learn and read books they like, but Jane cant, because Reed family think she is inferior and dull; Mrs. Reeds daughters and son can chat with their mother leaning against chairs near the fireplace, but Jane cant, she only hides behind the door to watch in the distance. She cant enjoy any maternal love here.If there happenes a quarrel between Mrs.Reeds son and Jane, Mrs. Reed always reproaches Jane. Jane is brave to say to her aunt:“I am not deceitful: if I were, I shall say I love you; but I declare I do not love you; I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed.”1“People think you a good woman, but you are, hard hearted.”2 At her early age, Jane Eyre is rebellious.B. Horrible Orphanage LearningJane Eyre is sent to orphanage of Logwood when Gateshead no longer can hold Jane Eyre. This orphanage is a benevolent institution in name, but in fact a hell. Schools chief inspector Brocklehurst is a sanctimonious hypocrite. In the name of religion, he thinks that punishing the body is to save soul. In fact he deducts funds illegally, and riches his own pocket. In the school children food is bad, clothes are thin, two persons live in one bed, and six persons use one basin. People cant receive timely cure if they catch a cold, so pestilence is spreading. Forty-five out of eighty girls lay ill at one time. Death becomes regular visitor. Generally speaking, during the period of learning, the environment of orphanage learning is harsh, but Jane never surrenderes. She always wants to adapt herself and tries to change in her own way.III. Jane Eyres Rebellious Spirit from Life IncidentsJane Eyres rebellious spirit can be showed through incidents.A. Life at Mrs. Reeds HomeMrs. Reed is Janes aunt. When her uncle will leave this world, her uncle, Mr. Reed, tells Mrs. Reed to look after Jane as their own child.Fight and leavingJane Eyre recalls:“My very first recollections of existence included hints of the same kind. This reproach of my dependence had be come a vague singsong in my ear; very painful and crushing, but only half intelligible”.3 She does not yield, restrain herself to her circumstance at an early age, instead of that she makes questions sensitively: Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, for ever condemned. Why could I never please? She uses a pair of eyes of early-maturing child and a pure childs heart to observe and judge things around. Experiencing others feeling towards her, undergoing depression even enmity. She has a rich inner world but no one to tell, gradually bring up a personality of quiet and indifferent outside but passionate heart inside. This kind of ego mentality formed at an early age becomes a root in Jane Eyres young heart. Confronting the unreasonable beating of her overbearing brutal cousin John, Jane attacks bravely even madly. Though she knows“a moments mutiny has already rendered her liable to strange penalties, and likes any other rebel slave, she feels resolves, in her desperation, to go all lengths.”4 What makes this little orphan girl who lives on other people has so many courage that rave enough to fight against her benefactors son? That is called human dignity and sanctity. She cant endure that trample of human dignity and sanctity just because she is an orphan and lives on her aunt. The revolt spirit which forms as a child makes her learn to use severe and critical way to treat the behavior of the aunts, full of enmity to their ill treatment and humiliation and penetrating the despicable heart of the elder generation with keenness and insight which is out of her age. When there happenes a quarrel between her and Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Reed thinks she can make Jane frightened by her status but wholly opposite. Jane Eyre tells bravely every unconscionable act Mrs. Reed has done to her. This kind of behavior makes this rich madam even afraid. This is Jane Eyres ferocious counter attack in facing of oppress. In order to get rid of Jane Eyre, Mrs. Reed decides to send her to a remote boarding school. Reality brings up her into a personality of solitary, sensitive and obstinate. This makes her immature heart value herself especially in an early time, cherish her right and dignity as a human especially. She does not feel good about this environment, but she is not able to change it. So when Mrs. Reed tells her that she will be sent to a school for learning, Jane Eyre agrees. She wants to leave the environment. Though the life of Gateshead is good to outsiders on the surface, it is a hell to Jane Eyre.B. Life at Logwood OrphanageLeaving Gateshead, Jane Eyre comes to Logwood for learning.Struggle and ChangeTo this kind of difficult life in the orphanage, Jane Eyre sympathizes with the weak, hates the hypocrite who humiliates them, especially Brocklehurst. During this period of orphanage, there are two persons who have a great influence upon Jane: Miss Temple and Helen Burns. Miss Temple is the incarnation of justice and charity, having a profound and extensive heart. Helen Burns comprehends absurdity of the world, shortcoming and weak point of human nature by broad heart, accustomed to endure. She says to her good friend Helen Burns:“When we are struck without a reason, we should strike back again very hard. I am sure we should so hard as to teach the person who has struck us never to do it again.”5 It is the rebel spirit that makes her exist in difficult environment. If in Gateshead the object of Jane Eyres resistance is the whole family of the Aunt. In Logwood the circumstance she fighting for is wider. She is more mature. Jane Eyre gains extensive knowledge, perfects moral sentiment, gradually grows into a useful person and stay as a teacher eventually. Jane Eyre at this time is an adult. After the living of Miss Temple, she feels oppressive. She thinks that a real world is wide. She is longing for freedom, thirst for freedom. She tells herself to go to a lively place. The eight years in Logwood, Jane Eyre likes an indomitable growing tough grass in poor land. She is strong and durable and assiduous, at the same time she has self-dignity and self-respect. Also she knows herself clearly, giving the explicit aim of her action, hard working according to her mind. This makes Jane Eyre mature in mind. If it is said that Jane Eyre only possesses the nature of rebel, previously now she possess morality and justice. The rebel personality is lead by the justice.C. Love with Mr. RochesterAccordingly, coming to warm and kind Thornfield from gloomy, cold Logwood, she should feel that life is enough in Thornfield. Here has temperate Mrs. Fairfax, kind Adele, the education and training received in Logwood make her deal with the new environment and new job easily.1. Love Based on EqualityIn Thornfield, to Jane Eyre the appearance of manor owner Rochester is like a beam of sunshine illuminating her life. As a tutor, she knows what status and identity she is in, she professes herself independent worker. When facing the master, she is neither obsequious nor supercilious, but generous in manner. She protects her human dignity just like she protects her life. She is so calm and unhurried in Thornfield, people cant see any annoying charming manner in appearance, work or action, further there is no pitiable submission. She attracts Mr. Rochester deeply by her extraordinary stubbornness and independent spirit power. For Rochester who now detests the life of upper class and seeks for a fresh start in morality, Jane Eyres character, which is out of the ordinary and intelligence, also her idea of social convention like a spring wind on face, gives him a shake for heart and soul. At the same time, at contact between Jane Eyre and him, she discovers that there are resonances in many respects on her and Mr. Rochesters mind gradually. He is easygoing, cordial, and honest. These personalities attract Jane to approach him. Mr. Rochester is her relation rather than her master. Mr. Rochester becomes pillar of her life. Though Jane Eyres emotion to Rochester is so deep, she makes a clear boundary between herself and Rochester. She knows well herself is the paid subordinates of he master. She must remind herself continuously that here is a chasm always between them. When she falls in love with Rochester, she feels bitterly disappointed. She also feels desolate when she thinks of wealth, status and conventions between her and the person she loves spontaneously unavoidably. Here we know there is strong respect of herself in Jane Eyres personality of rebel. Living in a hostile environment from childhood makes Jane Eyre take a restrained and defensive attitude towards everything. When she knows Mr. Rochester is going to marry Miss Ingram with her staying in Thornfield. She shed for the lusting love, but at the same time she makes strong protest for her harmed emotion and humiliated human dignity:Do you think I am automation? A machine without feeling? I haves as much soul as you and full as much heart! I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh. It is my spirit that addresses your spirit, just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stand at Goods feet, equal. As we are!6For love, Jane Eyres emotion is passionate, but she doesnt forget the demand of equality in the slightest amount, asking Mr. Rochester to treat her equality.2. Pursuit of LoveOn the wedding ceremony, when Jane Eyre knows that Mr. Rochester has wife, if she marries him, she will only become his mistress. She chooses to give up her love to Mr. Rochester and leave Thornfield. She prefers to endure the torment of emotion. She is willing to drift about alone rather than giving up her pursuit for equal love. Fate always likes playing tricks on man. Jane has been told to inherit a large amount of money from her deceased uncle, at this time Jane Eyre is not Jane Eyre who leaves Thornfield. However, when she hears Mr. Rochesters calling in her dream, she returns to Thornfield undoubtedly. At that time, Thornfield turns into a wasteland because of a big fire made by Mr. Rochesters mad wife. In order to rescue his wife from the big fire, Mr. Rochester loses sight of both eyes and becomes disabled. Finally he is unsuccessful, his wife dies. When Jane Eyre knows all, she comes back to Mr. Rochester caring for nothing but love. In front of love, Jane Eyre is brave and inflexible. She pursues for love, equal love and she succeeds.D. Consort with St. JohnSt. John is a clergyman. After Jane Eyre leaves Thornfield, and nearly starves to die, St. John helps her.1. Marriage Based on LoveJane Eyre comes to a wilderness of remote village. Because of coldness and hunger, Jane Eyre loses consciousness. Fortunately, she is discovered and saved by pious St. John and his two sisters. They take care of her well. With their help, Jane Eyre becomes a teacher in a local primary school in Ferndean later. Getting along with John, Jane knows that John is mighty a good person, and as a clergyman he thinks himself as the messenger of God, making John the tool of missionary work. In Johns eyes, his future wife is his assistant who can help him to preach, even if there is not love between them. In the same way, John finds Jane Eyre docile firm, tenacious, and he thinks that she meets this advantage to become his assistant. Thus, in his heart, he regards Jane Eyre as candidate of his wife early and always wants to propose for her. He just waits suitable opportunity to tell her. Jane can be aware. But in her view, she thinks that marriage is sacred. It must be combined based on love of both. In order to pursue for equal love and valuable love, even her beloved Rochester, she can give up. Thus, on this point of attitude toward marriage, Jane Eyre and John are different. Jane doesnt want to be a wife of one nominally, without true love, as ordinary women have done in that social. From this differential, Janes rebellious character“walk the unusual way” 7 is still can be seen.2. Refusal to ProposalWhen St. John proposes to Jane Eyre in Moor House of Ferndean, she refuses. Because Jane Eyre knows clearly that St. John makes an offer of marriage to her only because he thinks Jane Eyre is suitable for a missionarys wife. The love he gives to Jane is not true love. It is not the love Jane pursues for and wants to gain, either. If Jane Eyre obeys his demanding, it is equals to giving up independent human dignity, losing independent freedom status and equal right of love for her. Jane Eyre recognizes John is not her ideal lover. However, John doesnt know, and even doesnt want to know what Jane Eyre is pursuing in wholly life. It is difficult to accept for Jane Eyre who seeking for equality and independence all the time. Even so, Jane Eyre still rebels for her ideal love. Causes of Character FormationA. Authors Background and CharacteristicsCharlotte Bronte, the third and oldest of the Bronte sisters, is born in Haworth, Yorkshire in 1816. Her father, Mr. Bronte is a poor clergyman in the little village. Because there are so many children in her family and all are born in so short a time, six children in eight years, so her mother becomes very ill with cancer. She and her sisters are let much on their own. Isolated in the moors, they cherish their souls to the love of liberty. After the death of the mother, Charlotte and her sisters, except the youngest, are sent in 1824 to a charity school at Cowan Bridge- the Clergy Daughters School for the daughters of poor clergy men, which prevents the girls from having normal mental growth. The schools object is to make them become submissive slaves to the rich. It is just like a prison. The site is low, damp, and unhealthy. The food is unappeti