Blog Post 4 - Jane Eyre
Prompt: Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Explain how the character’s alienation reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values.
The alienation shown through Jane Eyre in this excerpt of Chapter 7 includes how the characters are perceived by their peers and the adults in their lives. One example of this is when Mr. Brocklehurst, the orphanage supervisor, called out Julia for having curly red hair by saying "'WHAT is that girl with curled hair? Red hair, ma'am, curled--curled all over?' And extending his cane he pointed to the awful object, his hand shaking as he did so ... 'we are not to conform to nature'" (Bronte). The alienation of the orphans was displayed through the neglect from the workers at the orphanage. Through the lack of proper clothing for the winter and food that is inedible for them shows that they are being alienated and they are not cared for. One last major display of alienation in this excerpt is when Mr. Brocklehurst placed Jane on the stool in front of her peers and publicly shamed her by forcing her to stand there while he talked about what she did wrong to all of her friends. He then proceeded to forbid anyone from talking to her for the rest of the day. These acts of alienation in Jane Eyre are symbolizing to their societies values and assumptions.
Alienation in this story shows that their society is not appreciative of the individuality that these children have, even when these features are ones that come naturally, such as Julia's hair. Also, the acts of negligence show that their society does not have moral values when it comes to the care of children that are in the situation that these children are in. This shows that they have a social-economic class motivation for alienating these children because they are in poverty. The final act of shaming Jane shows that their society has the assumption that putting children in a situation that makes them feel embarrassed and shameful will make them not behave in the way that got them into trouble in the first place. All of these forms of alienation are ways for the author to show what values and assumptions society has when it comes to children.
The alienation shown through Jane Eyre in this excerpt of Chapter 7 includes how the characters are perceived by their peers and the adults in their lives. One example of this is when Mr. Brocklehurst, the orphanage supervisor, called out Julia for having curly red hair by saying "'WHAT is that girl with curled hair? Red hair, ma'am, curled--curled all over?' And extending his cane he pointed to the awful object, his hand shaking as he did so ... 'we are not to conform to nature'" (Bronte). The alienation of the orphans was displayed through the neglect from the workers at the orphanage. Through the lack of proper clothing for the winter and food that is inedible for them shows that they are being alienated and they are not cared for. One last major display of alienation in this excerpt is when Mr. Brocklehurst placed Jane on the stool in front of her peers and publicly shamed her by forcing her to stand there while he talked about what she did wrong to all of her friends. He then proceeded to forbid anyone from talking to her for the rest of the day. These acts of alienation in Jane Eyre are symbolizing to their societies values and assumptions.
Alienation in this story shows that their society is not appreciative of the individuality that these children have, even when these features are ones that come naturally, such as Julia's hair. Also, the acts of negligence show that their society does not have moral values when it comes to the care of children that are in the situation that these children are in. This shows that they have a social-economic class motivation for alienating these children because they are in poverty. The final act of shaming Jane shows that their society has the assumption that putting children in a situation that makes them feel embarrassed and shameful will make them not behave in the way that got them into trouble in the first place. All of these forms of alienation are ways for the author to show what values and assumptions society has when it comes to children.
I think you analyzed the use of alienation very well. It was interesting to discover the true meaning of alienation in this story. I found it clever that you used orphans to describe alienation since it must be very hard being an orphan. I greatly sympathize with orphans because even though I will never know what they have gone though, I cannot imagine what I would feel if I lost my parents.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your analysis of the acts of alienation. I think it is interesting that Brontë did this so outright, while Chaucer was more subtle, like using different styles of stories to alienate different characters. I think this could stem from Chaucer being much more closely monitored and possibly censored because of the time and place in which he lived. However, it is still extremely interesting that alienation is a theme throughout so much of literature throughout time, we even saw it in The Handmaid's Tale, which was written in yet another different context than these two works.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis! I thought your stance was very clear and well structured. I love how you showed the alienation in the text in multiple contexts; within the plot of the book and within the society/culture the text was written. Your word choice was very strong with the choice of using "neglect". I think this clarified that alienation was shown through the classification of characters as possesing a luxurious lifestyle or one of neglect within the devices used by the author in the text. Your analysis is furthered when you tie the examples used to not only alienation in the story, but the society the story is set in. Awesome job, loved it!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is explained thoroughly and effectively. I think it is very interesting how you discovered the alienation and values about the society connection. I think that part was very intriguing to me and I was able to understand the connection. Like Laura said, Brontë did acts of alienation outright while Chaucer was more subtle is interesting. I wonder how an analysis would be on the acts of alienation from The Canterbury Tales and the connection with the values and assumptions on the society.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the fact that you effectively gave multiple viewpoints about the story. You first defined alienation as it is written in the dictionary, but then you went on to explain how this definition should be considered in the real life world. I also think the quote that you provided fit in well with the plot line and helps the reader understand the context of your explanation. You did a good job with ending your blog with a strong opinionated statement to sum up what your main argument was. I wonder if alienation is as present in social situations towards children who are not orphans.
ReplyDeleteThis is a strong analysis of the alienation in the passage. I like how you emphasized that they were being alienated and punished for things that were natural and that they could do nothing about, her hair for example. It is also interesting how they used public shaming as punishment and the fact that no one was to talk to her as a form of alienation. The hair example is a less outward form of alienation while being told not to talk to her is very straight forward.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good analysis, I like how you talked about the social-economic for the kids in poverty. Also giving a lot of perspectives about the story. Your analyse, of the public shamming was great because you gave us information about the punishment and you also explained how it was a form of alienation which was very interesting. i can see how being an orphan can be hard because like i cant imagine me being alone in a house with other people which all their parent have died or just didn't want them and this could leave an emotionally scar.
ReplyDeleteHey Christina! I really liked your analysis of this excerpt from the chapter and how you used a specific quote to show your point about how the children are alienated because of their physical features and how that showed that society doesn't value individuality. I think it would also be interesting to explore how the alienation of children based off of physical differences gives insight into societies view on personality and a diversity of perspectives.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think you did a great job! I love reading your posts!
As I continued to read the word "alienation", it began to sound more like a science fiction movie film than a term discussed after reading this excerpt from Jane Eyre. I really liked your use of quotes to provide specific evidence for your claim on the topic. The link between the children of the orphanage and the way they were treated was presented very well. You went on to describe the effect of this, even using big words like "social-economic". Your detail in analysis and comparison, along with the use of quotes, allowed for a very well presented and well written blog post. I agree with the points made and look forward to reading your future blog posts.
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