Governess

In this essay, I will be exploring the changing presentation of sexuality within classic Victorian literature, exemplified with the use of a case study of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I would argue that perhaps more than in any other literary period, any textual inclination towards sexuality deteriorated as the eighteenth century progressed, ‘desexualising’ it, or, at least confining it to the bedroom doors of married couples. Additionally, whilst essentialist…

different interpretations. Emma is a beautiful novel about a young woman who is convinced that she will never marry; she does, however, what to help whoever she can in this matter. Once she deems herself successful in matching Miss Taylor, “less a governess than a friend” (Austen 5), with the widowed Mr. Weston, Emma seems unable to think of anything else except matchmaking. However, once Miss Taylor leaves, Emma seeks a new companion; “she decides to notice this girl and carry out a friendly…

In both novels, the main protagonists experience suffering as they are aware of the duties which stop them from pursuing their love. In Jane Eyre, Jane is heartbroken after learning that Mr Rochester is already married. She struggles with her decision as to what is more important, her duty to uphold her Christian values or her love for Mr Rochester. She chooses her Christian values as she tells Rochester that she “will keep the law given by god” (c.27). This is reflective of Christian values on…

Oscar Wilde, or as his full name, Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in 1854 in Dublin. He published his first book in 1881 which was a volume of poems. After moving to Chelsea, England, he wrote for several newspapers and he also edited ’The Woman’s World’ magazine. He had published some smaller works, until he wrote ’The Picture of Dorian Gray” which appeared in Lippincott’s Magazine in 1890. He later added more chapters to his work and ’The Portrait of Dorian Gray’ was published as…

Emily Bronte was a genius of her time when it came to writing. She came to be known by her controversial novel Wuthering Heights and the quiet nature she had. Anyone just looking at her or spending time with her wouldn’t even realize she was such a talented writer. Wuthering Heights was a jewel and parallel to her life in many ways. By looking at Wuthering Heights, one can see that Emily Bronte included themes of revenge, love, loneliness, and death because she was trying to get away from a dull…

The story in the beginning starts out relatively slow. Artie stop s by the house of his father, Vladek, and wanted to learn the story of how his parents met. In the process Artie wants to learn the whole story of how his parents progressed throughout the Holocaust. In the beginning it is very happy for me to witness Vladek appear in society as a respected young individual, who has no social bias directed towards him. The streets in which he walks in with Ajya both seem relatively clean and…

Critics charge that in Jane Austen’s novels, “Happiness emerges only from the practice of virtue.” Many of her characters, after all, follow a strict set of standards. Even characters who do err from social norms (like Pride and Prejudice’s Lydia) achieve happiness only after well-meaning individuals (like Mr. Darcy) rectify their blunders. Yet for Austen, perfectly virtuous women – women who follow Victorian standards of morality without fail – are unrealistic illusions. Women need not panic,…

As stated in the translator's preface by Shaun Whiteside, “no one involved in the narration is entirely dependable,” (xxxi) not even Freud himself. In this essay, I will analyze how Dora’s story is shaped and possibly distorted by Freud in three main ways: by omitting parts of the story and forgoing proper fact checking, being influenced by the external bias of society’s views of women and finally being influenced by internal bias motivated by his need to prove and publish his own theories.…

Everyone wants to be successful. The “American dream” is to become filthy rich. In the 1800’s it was much more difficult to become a millionaire. However, a select few conquered this achievement. Andrew Carnegie was one of these select few. He became one of the first “captains of industry” in America. Being successful, Andrew Carnegie made his fortune by living out his dream in the growing nation. Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835. He was born in Dunfermline, Scotland. He was proud…

Even at age ten, she knew what her consequences were for speaking the truth, yet she still did so anyway. She found her way out of oppression and with her rank as a teacher and governess, she has already raised her rank slightly in society and gained respect by many. She helped anybody when she could, even if that meant saving the cold-hearted Mr. Rochester from the fire on his bed curtains. When she realized that her love would…