The Good, The Mad, and The Ugly
In today’s society, mental illness is a frequently discussed topic in the media and in American homes. The awareness of mental illness has increased dramatically over the past few decades and is becoming increasingly relevant in today's conversations. However, this modern awareness and understanding of mental health didn’t exist in victorian England and because of this lack of knowledge, the character of Bertha Mason arose as a pioneer in the mental health world, opening the eyes of victorian readers to a never before seen reality; the reality of a madwoman. Bertha Mason was the first of her kind, striking controversy due to her beastial nature and deeper symbolism that contridicted the beliefs of many. Not only …show more content…
Rochester is in control of Bertha’s housing, care, and living, yet Bertha continually comends control “almost overpowering her husband as they wrestle in the attic” (Hammack 2). Bertha has complete physical power and is seemingly in control, but Bertha’s madness only “offers the illusion of power” (Davis 317). Even though Bertha has momentary physical control over Rochester, it is important to note that Rochester commends overarching control over Bertha; he controls her care, her housing, her food, and essentially her quality of living. Not only does Rochester keep Bertha in a “room without a window [...], guarded by a high and strong fender” (Bronte 279), she is also subject to physical restraint, as Rochester used a “cord” as he “bound her to a chair” (279). Bertha is recurrently treated as a prisoner, but Rochester is a prisoner as well, “bound to her [Bertha] by marriage” (Donaldson 8). While Bertha is kept physically restrained, Rochester is emotionally locked up since he cannot be with the one he loves. Bertha’s physical power over Rochester, and Rochester’s situational power over Bertha generates an ongoing shift in …show more content…
While, in some fashions Jane Eyre seems like a step back, portraying Bertha is such a negative light, in actuality it is a giant leap forward, for it brings forth questions that had been buried for far to long. While in some ways Jane Eyre is a racist and a novel insensitive to the mentally ill, it is just showing the harsh realities of many british madwomen and the taboo surrounding them. Overarchingly, I argue that Bertha is the most critical character in Jane Eyre and while her portrayal is rather negative, the effect of her beastly portrayal was positive in that it opened the eyes of ignorant readers. The spectacle that is Bertha Mason is largely important to the social impact of Jane Eyre on the
In today’s society, mental illness is a frequently discussed topic in the media and in American homes. The awareness of mental illness has increased dramatically over the past few decades and is becoming increasingly relevant in today's conversations. However, this modern awareness and understanding of mental health didn’t exist in victorian England and because of this lack of knowledge, the character of Bertha Mason arose as a pioneer in the mental health world, opening the eyes of victorian readers to a never before seen reality; the reality of a madwoman. Bertha Mason was the first of her kind, striking controversy due to her beastial nature and deeper symbolism that contridicted the beliefs of many. Not only …show more content…
Rochester is in control of Bertha’s housing, care, and living, yet Bertha continually comends control “almost overpowering her husband as they wrestle in the attic” (Hammack 2). Bertha has complete physical power and is seemingly in control, but Bertha’s madness only “offers the illusion of power” (Davis 317). Even though Bertha has momentary physical control over Rochester, it is important to note that Rochester commends overarching control over Bertha; he controls her care, her housing, her food, and essentially her quality of living. Not only does Rochester keep Bertha in a “room without a window [...], guarded by a high and strong fender” (Bronte 279), she is also subject to physical restraint, as Rochester used a “cord” as he “bound her to a chair” (279). Bertha is recurrently treated as a prisoner, but Rochester is a prisoner as well, “bound to her [Bertha] by marriage” (Donaldson 8). While Bertha is kept physically restrained, Rochester is emotionally locked up since he cannot be with the one he loves. Bertha’s physical power over Rochester, and Rochester’s situational power over Bertha generates an ongoing shift in …show more content…
While, in some fashions Jane Eyre seems like a step back, portraying Bertha is such a negative light, in actuality it is a giant leap forward, for it brings forth questions that had been buried for far to long. While in some ways Jane Eyre is a racist and a novel insensitive to the mentally ill, it is just showing the harsh realities of many british madwomen and the taboo surrounding them. Overarchingly, I argue that Bertha is the most critical character in Jane Eyre and while her portrayal is rather negative, the effect of her beastly portrayal was positive in that it opened the eyes of ignorant readers. The spectacle that is Bertha Mason is largely important to the social impact of Jane Eyre on the