The Main Themes of Victorian Novel - Research Paper Example

Introduction The Victorian novel is one that portrayed different themes and ideas that were strongly associated with the social and cultural issues of the time, specifically which questioned status and morality in society. In the novel, “Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bronte, there is an understanding of the theme of morals and how it conflicted with social status. The article by Joseph Dupras, Tying the Knot in the Economic Warp of Jane Eyre, depicts how Victorian novels as well as the novel of Jane Eyre are a representation of class against morality. According to this author, there is friction between social class and wealth, as opposed to morality and religion. While Dupras’ is right in the representation of conflict from religious humanism and class, there is also a question of the other concepts that relate to Jane’s motives, such as the circumstances in which she is under. Defining Morality and Class The Victorian myth was known to carry ideas of religious humanism, all which were associated with the morality and belief system of the time. According to Dupras, morality was the continuous tension against social and cultural status of Jane Eyre. Others point out that this is known as religious humanism, a philosophy that questioned life and the level of morality individuals had. The difference between right and wrong as well as a close association with the Christian faith were parts of this religious humanism. Moral principles were questioned with a definition of human nature and morality, which led one to self – perfection. At the same time, the demonic side of human nature could prevent one from reaching this perfection. The controversy in Victorian novels became one of divine – demonic humanity (Auerbach, 195, 1982). Dupras uses Jane Eyre as an example of what this meant, as well as the two sides that were linked to the ideas of morality and to demonic humanity, specifically with the darker side relating to wealth. Religious Humanism and Social Status in Jane Eyre There are several tensions that arise in “Jane Eyre” because of religious humanism and the way that one should live. The debate that Dupras states is one that can be seen as true through the representation of Jane as a concept of religious humanism against social status. Dupras shows this controversy through Jane by stating, “her memoirs critique religious hypocrisy, male chauvinism, and economic degradation, but also expose her pernicious outlook on matrimony and Mammon, in contrast to proclaimed wedding bliss” (Dupras, 396). According to Dupras, Jane comes to represent the true hypocrisy of religious beliefs. For instance, Jane states when in controversy with Mr. Rochester’s marriage, “I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than you” (Bronte, 194, 2010). The attitude that Jane takes at this point is one that is better than the rest because of status but also shows morality because of the concept of marrying outside of love. Both sides of religious humanism and status are seen in moments similar to this through Jane, all which are linked to concepts of status. The tension that is created with religious humanism and through Jane Eyre is one that is not only defined by her outlook toward others, such as Mr. Rochester. Her desire to strive for perfection and the beliefs that she has in relation to others creates the opposing idea from wedded bliss. According to Dupras, this is one of the main struggles with Jane, in which she fights with male chauvinism and economic degradation, both which conflict against morality. Dupras states “Jane, knowing she has mistaken wealth for panacea, not a dangerous pharmakon, is no feminist paragon in a conventional rags – to – riches tale, but rather a disillusioned, haunted woman whose mendacity is a function and mainstay of her knotted, (under) privileged life” (Dupras, 400). However, other sides of Jane bring this same concept into one that creates a hypocritical viewpoint of religion and the ideas of marriage. This controversy becomes one that is based on religious humanism and the struggle between the ideas of religious marriage and the independence of status that Jane desires (Dupras, 395, 1998). Critique of Religious Humanism While Dupras’ statements about religious humanism and Jane Eyre can be seen in the actions that are juxtaposed with each other, this also limits the development of this character. Many of the responses that Jane created were a response to the time frame in which Jane Eyre lived as well as how she related to society and the other surroundings. For instance, ideas of marriage and relationships were a part of the social expectations. Jane did not necessarily relate to these through religious humanism or status, as stated by Dupras. Instead, it was defined by the circumstances that Jane was under because she considers herself to be underprivileged and then moves into the riches that she believes she deserves. Jane looks at herself as one that is independent and which is able to rise above the demands that society makes. The result is that she begins to create a persona that is based on status and wealth, specifically because of the way that she has created her independence. Even though it can be assumed that this stance doesn’t relate to religious humanism, Dupras notes that the concept of marriage and the conflicts of morality continue to interfere with what Jane considers in terms of independence and marriage. This is specifically because Jane is constantly choosing between morality or a continuous building of status and wealth. When Jane doesn’t have the status or wealth, she is seen as imperfect and immoral. When she believes that she has more, than the opposite stance takes place. For instance, when seeking employment, the narrator states, “But it was not her business to think for me, or to seek place for me: besides, in her eyes, how doubtful must have appeared my character, position, tale ….If she had held it open a little longer, I believe I should have begged for a piece of bread; for now I was brought low” (Bronte, 251, 2010). At this point, status and wealth are defined, as well as the importance of them. The attitude that is created by Jane and the importance that is on status and wealth becomes the religion and perfection of the book. Similar to the argument of Dupras, is a representation of the hypocrisy that is a part of the women from the Victorian novel, specifically because of where they place their values. Conclusion In the novel, “Jane Eyre,” there is tension created between morality and status through the character of Jane. The division that takes place between perfection in society or the morality that is a part of religion becomes a central conflict because of the attitude and ideas that Jane has throughout the book. Rather than being perfect for morality and religion, Jane portrays that perfection comes from independence, wealth and status. This similar concept is presented through Dupras’ argument about Jane and how she approaches both sides of morality and status. This identity is one that is seen through Jane Eyre as she creates her own divisions of religious humanism against status. Bibliography 1. Auerbach, Nina. 1982. Woman and the Demon: The Life of a Victorian Myth. New York: Harvard Press. 2. Bronte, Charlotte. 2010. Jane Eyre. New York: CreateSpace. 3. Dupras, Joseph. 1998. Tying the Knot in the Economic Warp of Jane Eyre. Victorian Literature and Culture (26), pgs 395 – 408. Read More