“The Red Room” in Jane Eyre can apply to every woman who has ever felt “trapped” by their role in society as a woman. This picture is, of course, of Jane shown completely in mostly black-and-white (not red) contradictory to the title name. This is a metaphor for the way in which we have a… Read more The Lady in Red
Jordan Smith
“Red-Room” and Wide Sargasso Sea
I think it’s interesting to connect Antoinette’s mother, Annette, to Jane Eyre and Jane’s experience with sexism and being a woman in the novel. In Wide Sargasso Sea, similar to Jane Eyre, women are primarily dependent on their husbands and men. For instance, when Antoinette’s father has an affair, Annette’s life is deemed “ruined” by… Read more “Red-Room” and Wide Sargasso Sea
Sexism and Submission in Jane Eyre
There are many things at this point in the novel that I am critical of about Mr. Rochester. First, I have read ahead and am already aware of the fact that he has a secret wife. Second, there is an oddly specific praise for Jane when she fits the societal roles of a submissive woman.… Read more Sexism and Submission in Jane Eyre
“Plain Jane” and Mr. Rochester
In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, we are led to believe that Jane is no more than a Governess for Mr. Rochester. Even despite this assumption, it is obvious that there seems to be some romantic tension between Mr. Rochester and Jane. What bothers me is how off-putting Mr. Rochester is with his stance on appearance… Read more “Plain Jane” and Mr. Rochester
Jane’s Traumatic Childhood, Abuse, and the Red Room
Jane’s maltreatment as a child is disturbing. At the beginning of this book, we are told that Jane was raised as an orphan at the hands of her Aunt who treats her rather cruelly and sends her to the “red room” in which her Uncle died in as punishment. Jane’s Aunt also tells her school… Read more Jane’s Traumatic Childhood, Abuse, and the Red Room
Is the Murder of Elizabeth Revenge?
In Frankenstein, Elizabeth who is married to the Doctor Frankenstein is killed by the “monster” the doctor created. But is this an act done out of a desire for revenge… or simply an example of the “natural order” of being an unnatural creature? From the moment the doctor created said “monster,” he assumed that it… Read more Is the Murder of Elizabeth Revenge?
1st Project. The Oedipus Complex: Motherly Roles in Literature
Jordan Smith Although I do not agree with virtually any of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theory, one peculiar complex that he introduced was the “Oedipus Complex.” In which, “in psychoanalytic theory, [the Oedipus complex is] a desire for sexual involvement with the parent of the opposite sex and a concomitant sense of rivalry with the parent of the same… Read more 1st Project. The Oedipus Complex: Motherly Roles in Literature
Is Elizabeth Human?
Jordan Smith In the beginning half of Frankenstein, Elizabeth is welcomed into the Frankenstein family alongside Victor, her alleged cousin, a boy whom she will presumably grow up to marry. “I [narrator Victor] have often heard my mother say, that she was at that time the most beautiful child she had ever seen, and shewed… Read more Is Elizabeth Human?
Misogyny in Hamlet
Hamlet explores themes of madness and reflects today on the deep-rooted historical prejudices and against women. In looking at Hamlet’s belief that he can see his father’s ghost, whether or not he has actually gone mad or if he is simply blinded by grief, etc. his beliefs are immediately validated by his surrounding followers… Read more Misogyny in Hamlet
Conversations About Disability
Jordan Smith I think that much like people, disability is diverse and comes in all different forms and capacities. I also firmly believe that we need to reform the way we address disability in topics of conversation by starting these important conversations, educating, spreading awareness, and dismantling this idea that disability is taboo or… Read more Conversations About Disability