Post by amber soppick on Nov 16, 2015 22:18:38 GMT
Jane and Bertha have very alike set-ups and should be relatively similar characters. Both women grew up in unloving and dysfunctional homes, both had to deal with the loss of their first friend: both grow up independent by isolation and loneliness. The big changes happen in not their situations, but their reactions to the situations. While Jane grows up determined to stay independent and fights for her freedom as a woman, Bertha submits to the obstacles around her and falls into despair and madness. Jane revels in her problems, growing and developing and allowing them to define her as a fighter, as different from the rest. Bertha, on the other hand, is stuck in her childhood state and naive and baffled by the world around her, falling into herself instead of growing into herself like Jane.
Jane and Bertha are faced with the same societal issues, most notably sexism. Jane fights on every day, headstrong and determined to be equal and put what she wants to be above what society says she should be. (Unlike her friend Helen), she refuses to be abused and let it get to her, only adding fuel to her flame. By persevering, Jane gets what she also dreamed of: love and acceptance, independence, respect, and peace of mind. Bertha, however, has nothing to fight for, no identity in mind to reach, no concept of what is going on around her. She does not protect herself like Jane does or fight against her abuse. She wallows in her sadness, letting it consume her instead of working her way out of it. She is terrified of the world around her, but does nothing to save herself. However, Bertha is more brave than Jane when it comes to sex and what God thinks of her. She seems to reject the societal concept of religion and God, and doesn't believe anyone is out there helping her. Therefore, she is much more relaxed when it comes to the subject of sex and experiments even before her marriage. Jane is pure and virginal, restraining herself from any type of sexual contact, while Bertha gives her body to Rochester freely and often.
The last similar situation is with Rochester. Both women are sent to live with Rochester and both have a relationship with him. Jane's entire relationship with Rochester is fueled by romantic desire and chemistry and respect. Bertha's relationship only has sexual desire and rage and restriction. Jane and Rochester (at least eventually) see each other as equals and respect and love each other. Even with her love, Jane refuses to go against her morals and do anything sexually/romantically deviant, wanting to be completely loyal to each other. Bertha and Rochester seem to despise each other, their intense relationship full of competition and bitter spite. Bertha tries to work on the relationship using sex, completely different from Jane working on Rochester's indifferent exterior with patience and respect.
Bertha and Jane take almost identical situations and reverse their reactions to show two polar outcomes. Even if their character is slightly similar and situations are amazingly alike, their reactions and responses to the world around them foil each other, showing the two main female identities at the time.
Jane and Bertha are faced with the same societal issues, most notably sexism. Jane fights on every day, headstrong and determined to be equal and put what she wants to be above what society says she should be. (Unlike her friend Helen), she refuses to be abused and let it get to her, only adding fuel to her flame. By persevering, Jane gets what she also dreamed of: love and acceptance, independence, respect, and peace of mind. Bertha, however, has nothing to fight for, no identity in mind to reach, no concept of what is going on around her. She does not protect herself like Jane does or fight against her abuse. She wallows in her sadness, letting it consume her instead of working her way out of it. She is terrified of the world around her, but does nothing to save herself. However, Bertha is more brave than Jane when it comes to sex and what God thinks of her. She seems to reject the societal concept of religion and God, and doesn't believe anyone is out there helping her. Therefore, she is much more relaxed when it comes to the subject of sex and experiments even before her marriage. Jane is pure and virginal, restraining herself from any type of sexual contact, while Bertha gives her body to Rochester freely and often.
The last similar situation is with Rochester. Both women are sent to live with Rochester and both have a relationship with him. Jane's entire relationship with Rochester is fueled by romantic desire and chemistry and respect. Bertha's relationship only has sexual desire and rage and restriction. Jane and Rochester (at least eventually) see each other as equals and respect and love each other. Even with her love, Jane refuses to go against her morals and do anything sexually/romantically deviant, wanting to be completely loyal to each other. Bertha and Rochester seem to despise each other, their intense relationship full of competition and bitter spite. Bertha tries to work on the relationship using sex, completely different from Jane working on Rochester's indifferent exterior with patience and respect.
Bertha and Jane take almost identical situations and reverse their reactions to show two polar outcomes. Even if their character is slightly similar and situations are amazingly alike, their reactions and responses to the world around them foil each other, showing the two main female identities at the time.
