Compare How Male Female Relationships in Two of the Following Emma, Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations-- Reflect the Mores and Values of Victorian Society
Suesann Sankar
Individual Assignment: Critical Essay-
Compare how male female relationships in two of the following Emma, Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations-- reflect the mores and values of Victorian society
“The Victorian period formally begins in 1837 (the year Victoria became Queen) and ends in 1901 (the year of her death)” (Kirschen). British novels such as Wuthering Heights and Emma reflect and uphold mores and values of the Victorian society. This is portrayed through the characters in the novels where high priority is given to the male female relationships and the expectations of society. The time frame of both novels differs by thirty two (32) years which will reflect in the way both authors, Jane Austen and Emily Bronte present the Victorian age mores and values. Since Dinah Birch states that “writers developed a variety of models for writing in order to challenge that story, describing the creation of bonds of affection and sympathy between different characters with divergent social backgrounds and patterns of interest, brought together by common feeling.” Therefore, the Victorian age was one of great paradox and power which upheld the traditional paternalistic view of male female relationships which can be seen in both novels Emma and Wuthering Heights.
Society played a huge factor by determining the roles of both the male and the female during the Victorian age. Firstly, the males were the breadwinners of the household. In the novel Emma, Mr. Weston marries Miss Taylor and places her within his household where he is able to provide all her necessities. Miss Taylor left her job which was working for the Woodhouse. One reason for this was that according to the Victorian society only when a man was able to provide and support a family for example Healthcliff in Wuthering Heights, this earned him a sign of true success, despite his title. Since the men were the breadwinners this earned them the public sphere, whereas women were given the
Individual Assignment: Critical Essay-
Compare how male female relationships in two of the following Emma, Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations-- reflect the mores and values of Victorian society
“The Victorian period formally begins in 1837 (the year Victoria became Queen) and ends in 1901 (the year of her death)” (Kirschen). British novels such as Wuthering Heights and Emma reflect and uphold mores and values of the Victorian society. This is portrayed through the characters in the novels where high priority is given to the male female relationships and the expectations of society. The time frame of both novels differs by thirty two (32) years which will reflect in the way both authors, Jane Austen and Emily Bronte present the Victorian age mores and values. Since Dinah Birch states that “writers developed a variety of models for writing in order to challenge that story, describing the creation of bonds of affection and sympathy between different characters with divergent social backgrounds and patterns of interest, brought together by common feeling.” Therefore, the Victorian age was one of great paradox and power which upheld the traditional paternalistic view of male female relationships which can be seen in both novels Emma and Wuthering Heights.
Society played a huge factor by determining the roles of both the male and the female during the Victorian age. Firstly, the males were the breadwinners of the household. In the novel Emma, Mr. Weston marries Miss Taylor and places her within his household where he is able to provide all her necessities. Miss Taylor left her job which was working for the Woodhouse. One reason for this was that according to the Victorian society only when a man was able to provide and support a family for example Healthcliff in Wuthering Heights, this earned him a sign of true success, despite his title. Since the men were the breadwinners this earned them the public sphere, whereas women were given the
References: 1. Birch, Dinah. Victorian Values. Great Britian, May 2011. 2. Boddice, Rob. The Manly Mind? Revisting the Victorian 'Sex in Brain ' Debate. Berlin, August 2011. 3. The Victorian Period. 12th 4th 2013 <http://faculty.unlv.edu/kirschen/handouts/victorian.html>.