A Rereading of Charlotte Brontë’s Female Characters: Lucy Snowe and Jane Eyre

Abstract

Producing some of the classic novels of Victorian literature, Charlotte Brontë is celebrated for her exploration of several themes such as social relations, gender roles, morality, and religion. Brontë creates her works in an era which is dominated by the concept of “separate spheres,” which enforces that women and men have distinct places in society. Within this context, the Victorian woman is often idealized as the “angel in the house,” and expected to be virtuous, submissive and patient. Any deviation from these standards is regarded as unconventional and masculine. Questioning these rigid gender roles, Brontë challenges the dominant Victorian ideals of womanhood both in Villette and Jane Eyre, and creates female characters who possess inner strength and strive to define their own identities. The aim of this paper is, thus, to reread Charlotte Brontë’s portrayal of exceptional female characters and analyse how their forthrightness, independent travels and intellectual curiosity are regarded as masculine by Victorian standards.