Jane Eyre is a gothic bildungsroman novel set in the Nineteenth Century which follows the development of an orphan dependant into maturity, exploring the many struggles against society she faces along the way. Romeo and Juliet is a play set in 13th Century Italy. It portrays the story of two young lovers from feuding families who would not approve of their relationship. The contrast in genre between the two works sets up some of the differences which can be found. However, both female characters also experience many difficulties as a result of society’s oppression on females at the time. They are both subject domination by the male characters in the play, and must remain obedient not only to their respective families and seniors, but also to God, and society’s ideals for marriage, status and honour. In addition, the writers have access to different techniques in their presentation of their character’s emotions. Shakespeare utilises stage directions and the stage set to help to emphasise and arouse interest in the audience. The director and actors also play a part in the spectators’ viewing of the play, as what we see also includes their interpretation of the playwright’s work. On the other hand, Charlotte Brontë uses the first person perspective to give the reader an exciting insight into Jane’s unspoken feelings and the reasons behind her actions.
2. JE; Isolation:
Jane’s relationship with her aunt provokes strong feelings of isolation. As a dependant and an orphan, Jane is excluded from her wealthy, upper class family and from early on in the novel demonstrates her preference to solitude. She shows that she favours being withdrawn from the family in the quote “I was shrined in double retirement.” By associating Jane’s exclusion with shrines and divinity, Brontë suggests that Jane enjoys her solitude, and has