Writers’ Feminist Views Essay Example for Free

Writers Feminist Views EssayThe themes in Jane Eyre and Arcadia vary, un slight champion theme that unites them both is feminism. It could be argued that in Jane Eyre the main theme is Marxism, but as the main character is female there is a feminist element as well. As the story progresses the Marxist theme is diluted because Jane is more(prenominal) empowered, and the feminist theme is more central. In Arcadia there are m some(prenominal) themes but they all revolve more or less the main theme of feminism. Whereas Jane Eyre is a normal square-toed narrator who we trust, Thomasina is a character that we are drawn to. Throughout Jane Eyre it is hard to grasp how far Bronts views are feminist. She reveals a lot of her proclaim opinions through Jane, and there are moments when Jane expresses feelings of injustice when women are treated as though they are inferior to men, but Jane is also portrayed as a woman who knows her place, and does not feel equal to men or point women of a higher class to her. In Arcadia, Tom Stoppard conveys Thomasina as a in truth intelligent young woman with great wealth and a certain degree of power over Septimus. Stoppard doesnt fail to show the attitude towards women of the Victorian era, but at the same time he shows his own view towards women. By making Thomasinas character very intelligent (especially for her age) he at present empowers her. A typical Victorian author would not write their female characters as intelligent, or as women with opinions different to those of their male superiors (like Thomasina).One of the last lines in Jane Eyre Reader I married him is a great portrayal of feminist views. This direct address coming from a female narrator was completely unheard of during the Victorian occlusion it gives Jane authority. This line implies that the marriage was Janes decision, or that she consented it (again empowering her) as opposed to Rochester. This is echoed by Rochesters eventual physical condition (po or, injured and impaired) where he is humbled and Janes status is raised, as she no longer dep checks on him, he depends on her.Jane was given a considerable sum of money, and she could have elect not to spend the rest of her life with Rochester but she still did. Furthermore, the way in which Rochester used to speak to Jane (whilst still pleasant) sounded as though she were a itty-bitty girl, but at the end (as a result of her sudden gain of power) he changed the way he spoke to her and spoke to her more as an equal. In some ways, Jane did grow up by the end of the book, more in certain frames of mind than physically.Whereas the ending of Jane Eyre empowers women, the ending of Arcadia portrays the inevitability of a womans life. The fire in both stories is symbolic, in Jane Eyre it brings Rochester and Jane together (hes physically dependent, she still chooses him) and in Arcadia the fire is a release as well as a tragedy, but it releases Thomasina from the inevitability of woman hood. The fire brings together but sets free. In both stories the fire was a pivotal point. Jane is left empowered at the end of Jane Eyre but Thomasina is left susceptible to death, life is fragile and shes not in control. That is of course if she didnt deliberately cause a fire in order to end her own life, because if she did then she is as empowered as Jane, taking life in her hands and playing God. However, the very accompaniment that the audience would consider the idea that Thomasina took her own life shows that we recognize how bleak her future seemed.The ending of Jane Eyre is considered quick, and the Ending of Arcadia tragic, but these statements could be questioned. Jane Eyre represents independent, free-thinking women during the Victorian period she is gradually empowered with money, friendship, an independent job and newly discovered family, yet in spite of these things she still chooses to settle with Rochester, care for him, and tend to him as a loving wife. Jane su ccumbed to the stereotypical expectations of Victorian women, belittling her efforts and strong mindedness, and possibly leaving her unhappy or unsatisfied. Similarly, Arcadias ending with Thomasinas death (although initially appearance to be tragic) could be interpreted as a happy ending.A typical Bront convention is the idea of death being a release, and the fire (whether it were a fault of Thomasinas or not) could be seen as her escape from her dismal future prospects that were already set in stone. Furthermore, if the fire was of Thomasinas doing then it amplifies even more so that it was an escape and that she felt the need to run away from what her life was becoming. Both arguments are a question of whether or not what the lector contracts from each text, is what the author intended.Thomasinas death is one of the best dramatic ironies since Romeo and Juliet. Thomasina had a great yearning to waltz with Septimus before her 17th birthday, to have one moment where she felt the love of the man she loved who did not love her in return, but loved her mother. The play ends with a blackout, and just a candela left on stage. The candle is symbolic it could show the last glimpse of light left in her life, that moment dancing that shed remember forever, or it could repeat the theme of inevitability (she was sharing such an important, special and unlikely moment with somebody she loved, and all that time, the cause of her death was lighting her last happy memory).Jane Eyre initially appears to be a unexampled based around Marxism, but it could be argued that this is not the main theme of the brisk. There are feminist elements to the novel and as the author was a Victorian woman and the main character is female, it could be said that Bronts intention was to create a feminist novel.Arcadias themes are much more complex as there are so many more themes of science, progress, intellect, adultery, nature, the arts and literature. The idea is played on that our plan et is gradually going cold and fading to nothing. Thomasina intelligently explores these ideas she has many intuitive opinions that she has formed about life and the universe. The criticism of art and literature is a less central theme. Despite all of these themes, the central theme is the subject of Thomasinas wealth and intelligence through feminism and all the other themes spin around feminism because of Thomasina. This said, Lady Croome is a powerful authoritative character and in some ways takes the role of the father she somewhat has the male role of the novel which reflects the feminist view that women are equally capable of a male role. In spite of all that Thomasina is capable of, her fate is no different to that of any other upper class Victorian girl.To conclude, Jane Eyre is a novel in which the ending is significant but doesnt wholly focus on feminism, whereas Arcadia has more of an unjust feeling at the end, which is generated from the strong feminist views throughout (and particularly towards the end).