Jane Eyre and the tradition of the Gothic Novel
The Victorian Era which brought about a revival in Gothic
expression can be characterized by its many internal contradictions. A time of intellectual, artistic and
political progress, 19th century England was still very much
committed to traditional values. Such
values existed in direct contrast to the evolutions which were taking place
within families, communities and the mind’s of progressive individuals. Author Charlotte Bronte may well be
considered such an individual, provoking a great deal of discourse on the
topics of gender and social equality during a historical era where such
considerations were quite revolutionary.
Indeed, as in her classic literary exploration of these subjects, Jane Eyre, Bronte endeavors to convey
the practicality of her sociological perspective as well as the inherent
cruelty of any manner of social exclusion….
