A Study about the Contradiction in Jane Eyre——Proto-feminism versus Anti-feminism

Abstract

Jane Eyre is a complicated novel that may be appreciated from multiple perspectives. To go deeper into Jane Eyre’s ideological implications, this essay examines the novel’s contradictions, concentrating on whether Jane Eyre is a proto-feminist or anti-feminist work. Jane’s rebelliousness, her desire to move physically and mentally, and the drive to pursue equality are all examples of how Jane Eyre can be called a proto–feminist novel. Nevertheless, it can be also be viewed as anti-feminist in, for example, Charlotte Brontë’s handling of marriage and Jane’s transformation into an “angel in the house”. It also depicts the treatment and position of women in Victorian society. After considering both sides of the argument, I continue to believe that Jane Eyre is a proto-feminist novel because it represents Jane’s own spirit and achieves what she desires: love and happiness. This essay provides a fresh viewpoint on Jane Eyre, allowing readers to gain a more complete comprehension of the novel through the lens of proto-feminism and anti-feminism.