Comparative Analysis of Jane Eyre and Antoinette

1. "Comparative Analysis of Jane
Eyre and Antoinette"
Presented by Upasna Goswami

2. 👉Name : Upasna Goswami
👉Roll no : .20
👉Enrollment no. : 4069206420220012
👉Sem : 3
👉Paper Name : Postcolonial - Studies
👉Paper no. : 203
👉Paper Code : 22408
Submitted to : S. B. Gardi Department of English
👉Email: goswamiupasna339@gmail.com

3. Table of Content
Introduction:
Antoinette and Bertha: A Comparative Character Study
Colonialism and Postcolonialism:
Female Agency and Oppression
Mental Health and Madness:
Subaltern Perspectives

4. Introduction:
● "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë:
- Novel published in 1847.
- A bildungsroman about the life of the orphaned protagonist, Jane Eyre, who
becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, Mr. Rochester.
- Reflects Victorian society, with themes of class, gender, and morality.
● "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys:
- Novel published in 1966.
- A prequel to "Jane Eyre," it explores the backstory of Bertha Mason, the
"madwoman in the attic" from Brontë's novel, and her life in the Caribbean.
- Addresses colonialism, racial tensions, and identity, particularly focusing on
the post-colonial context of Jamaica.

5. Historical and Cultural Context:
- "Jane Eyre" is set in the early 19th century, reflecting the Victorian
era's social norms, gender roles, and moral values.
- "Wide Sargasso Sea" takes place in the mid-19th century and delves
into the complexities of post-slavery and post-colonial Jamaica,
shedding light on the racial and cultural dynamics of the time.

6. ● Evolution of Perception: The study highlights the evolution in readers'
perceptions of Bertha Mason over time. Initially seen as an obstacle in
"Jane Eyre," her character gains more attention and understanding
when viewed through a feminist lens and in conjunction with "Wide
Sargasso Sea.
● Rochester's Deception: The study suggests that Rochester's
characterization of Bertha as a "monster" may have been a means to
conceal his own unjust actions and manipulate Jane into marrying him.
This highlights the power dynamics and injustices at play in "Jane Eyre.
● Feminist Perspective: It emphasizes the importance of using a feminist
perspective to reevaluate Bertha's role in "Jane Eyre," prompting a
closer examination of her actions and emotions.

7. Colonialism and Postcolonialism:
Colonial Oppression: The novel portrays the oppressive colonial society
in Jamaica, where white Creole settlers like Antoinette are
marginalized and excluded from the British ruling class.
Cultural Clash: It highlights the cultural clash between European
colonizers and the native Caribbean population, reflecting the
complexities of racial and cultural identity.
Postcolonial Angst: The story delves into the postcolonial angst of the
displaced Antoinette, who grapples with her identity and the effects of
colonialism on her life.
"Wide Sargasso Sea":

8. "Jane Eyre":
● Colonial Exploitation: While not the central theme, the novel
touches on the exploitation and mistreatment of Bertha
Mason, a character from the Caribbean, by Mr. Rochester,
symbolizing the colonial era's treatment of non-Europeans.
● Empire's Shadow: It indirectly alludes to the British Empire's
influence and the wealth generated from colonial territories,
which funds Mr. Rochester's lifestyle

9. Female Agency and Oppression
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys:
● Female Agency: In "Wide Sargasso Sea," the character of Antoinette Cosway (who later becomes Bertha Mason) is a
complex portrayal of a woman struggling to assert her agency. She is a white Creole woman in 19th-century Jamaica,
dealing with issues of racial identity and social isolation. Antoinette's inability to control her life and her eventual descent
into madness is a reflection of her lack of agency in a patriarchal and colonial society.
● Oppression: The novel explores various forms of oppression. Antoinette is oppressed both by her stepbrother Richard
Mason and her husband Mr. Rochester. She's also a victim of the oppressive colonial system and societal expectations of
women. Her eventual confinement in the attic is a symbol of her ultimate oppression.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:
● Female Agency: In "Jane Eyre," the titular character, Jane, is a strong and independent woman who strives for personal
agency. Despite her disadvantaged social and economic status, Jane pursues an education, seeks employment, and
refuses to conform to traditional gender roles. Her relationship with Mr. Rochester is marked by her insistence on equality
and her refusal to be a mere dependant.
● Oppression: Jane herself is a character who experiences various forms of oppression. As an orphan, she is mistreated by
her aunt and cousins. Later, she faces oppression in her position as a governess at Thornfield Hall and initially by Mr.
Rochester due to their differences in social status. The character of Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester's first wife, is also an
example of a woman oppressed by the constraints of the time and her own mental health struggles.

10. Mental Health and Madness:
Mental Illness and Colonial Context: Both authors explore mental illness within a colonial context. Bertha and Antoinette are
portrayed as outsiders or "lunatics," reflecting the colonial view of the colonized as different or dangerous.
19th Century Mental Health and Asylums: The 19th century saw a rise in mental illnesses in England, leading to the
establishment of asylums. Brontë's Bertha is considered dangerous and is confined in the attic, reflecting the societal
perception of mentally ill individuals.
Heredity and Appearance: Brontë attributes Bertha's madness to heredity and focuses on her appearances rather than her
inner experiences or feelings.
Postcolonial Reversal: In "Wide Sargasso Sea," Rhys gives voice to Antoinette, revealing her experiences and the oppression
she faced, challenging the stereotypes created by Brontë
Bertha's Origins: Rhys argues that Bertha was not inherently mad but made to be so by the circumstances she faced.
Racial Description: Brontë racializes Bertha and portrays her as a threat to society, which aligns with Rochester's perspective.
Isolation and Locking Away: Bertha's confinement in the attic reflects the perception that the mentally ill were a threat to
society during that era. Mr. Rochester locks her away to protect others and maintain societal security.
Purpose of Imprisonment: Bertha's isolation is depicted as necessary to keep society safe from her perceived madness.

11. Subaltern Perspectives
Marginalization: Bertha Mason and Antoinette Cosway are marginalized characters in both novels. They are
silenced and oppressed, often being excluded from the dominant discourse.
Racial and Gender Oppression: Their subaltern identity is shaped by racial and gender discrimination.
Antoinette, as a white Creole woman, faces racial discrimination in "Wide Sargasso Sea." Bertha, as a
Creole woman, confronts racial biases in "Jane Eyre."
Colonial Context: Both characters exist within a colonial context, where the colonial powers dominate and
suppress the subaltern voices, reinforcing their marginalized status.
Silencing and Madness: Bertha's descent into madness and her confinement in the attic in "Jane Eyre"
symbolize the silencing of her subaltern identity. Antoinette's experiences of oppression and madness in
"Wide Sargasso Sea" similarly demonstrate her subaltern status.
Reinterpretation: "Wide Sargasso Sea" reinterprets Bertha's character, giving voice to her subaltern identity
and providing a backstory that challenges the way she is portrayed in "Jane Eyre."

12. Conclusion
In a comparative analysis of Jane Eyre and Antoinette from "Wide Sargasso
Sea," it's clear that both characters face societal oppression and challenges.
Jane Eyre represents Victorian morality and independence, while Antoinette
embodies post-colonial struggles and identity. Ultimately, their stories
highlight the impact of environment and upbringing on one's fate, with Jane
Eyre seeking autonomy within societal constraints and Antoinette grappling
with the legacy of colonialism and her own identity. These two characters
illustrate different aspects of female resilience and self-discovery in
literature.

13. References
CHAOUCH, CHABANE. “A study of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) as a “writing back” of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre (1847).” UMMTO,
https://www.ummto.dz/dspace/bitstream/handle/ummto/5360/Mas.%20Ang.%20139.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed 18 October 2023.
Jiang, Qian. “A Comparative Study of Bertha Mason in “Jane Eyre” and “Wide Sargasso Sea” from a Feminist Perspective.” Atlantis Press, 2018,
https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/hsmet-18/25899146. Accessed 18 October 2023.
Rhys, Jean. “A Symbolic Reading of Wide Sargasso Sea.” Academy Publication, September 2018,
https://www.academypublication.com/issues2/tpls/vol08/09/17.pdf. Accessed 18 October 2023.
Sahabuddin Ahmed. “Subaltern Perspectives in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea: A Comparative Study Authors Shahabuddin Ahmed.” 9 March 2019,
http://bcsdjournals.com/index.php/ijecls/article/view/334. Accessed 18 October 2023.
“Woman's Resistance as Seen in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea.” Prologue: Journal on Language and Literature, 2021, https://prologue.sastra.uniba-
bpn.ac.id/index.php/jurnal_prologue/article/download/64/38. Accessed 18 October 2023.