Similarities Between Jane Eyre And The Yellow Wallpaper

Explain the ways in which Jane Eyre and The Yellow Wallpaper are linked in relation to the ways in which women were treated in the 16th century.

This essay discusses the containment, confinement and oppression of women in 16th century Britain; specifically the roles of Jane Eyre and Bertha, and the protagonist in ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’. At this time men held more power over women, partly because of women’s financial and social dependence on them. It was customary for women to submit to their husbands and to keep what was seen as their social place.
At the beginning of Jane Eyre, Jane is living with her Aunt and three cousins, who do not appreciate her being there. Her cousins Eliza, Georgiana and John Reed are particularly horrible to
her, and eventually lead to her being sent to the red room, the room in which her uncle died, as a punishment. She was falsely accused of initiating a fight with John, even though he is the one who hit her, introducing the poor treatment of women already. Bronte describes the red room itself in a particularly gothic style, for example ‘This room was chill, because it seldom had a fire.’ Suggesting an eerie atmosphere about the room as a chill is generally associated with ghosts. The fact that it seldom had a fire also suggests that it is rarely disturbed, adding to the supernatural aura about it. She also mentions ‘phantoms half fairy, half imp.’ Reinforcing the idea of the supernatural, which is common in gothic novels. She also describes the furniture as dark and mahogany, again adding to the atmosphere which would be understandably frightening for a child. At one point Jane says ‘no jail was ever more secure.’ The fact that she refers to the red room as a jail immediately gives it a sense of imprisonment, and gives the impression that she is destined never to leave. This imprisonment represents the literal physical containment of women in the society of this time.
This idea of imprisonment also occurs in The Yellow Wallpaper; it is suggested that the room is not a nursery at all, due to the barred windows and the bed being chained to the wall, reinforcing the idea of being imprisoned.
This also relates to oppression of women, John is essentially lying to the protagonist in The Yellow Wallpaper and being quite patronising by doing so. The way he refers to her illness as a ‘fancy’ also gives the impression that he is patronising towards her in the sense that her problems aren’t really important because she is a woman. He is ‘caring for her’ as though she is a child, preventing her from achieving anything above the role of the woman.
Eliza and Georgiana Reed interestingly relate to Jane’s other cousins, Diana and Mary, who Jane meets by chance when running away from Thornfield years later. It could be argued that the pairs are polar opposites in terms of personality; Eliza and Georgiana are selfish and conceited, whereas Diana and Mary are portrayed more as ‘ideal women’ with good morals. Whilst Eliza and Georgiana have had everything provided for them by their wealthy family, Diana and Mary have worked as governesses in order to provide for themselves. As independent women they become Jane’s role
models.
Another example of ‘ideal women’ is Helen Burns. Helen is deeply religious, and believes that if she conforms in this life she will be rewarded in heaven, and has that to look forward to. If she were ever in trouble with Mr Brockelhurst , she would , like women were expected to, turn the other cheek and resign to her place. Similarly, Miss Temple has this attitude. She wouldn’t dare talk back to Brockelhurst, but secretly performs acts of kindness to the girls such as giving them extra lunch when they miss breakfast. Jane also models herself on Miss Temple and her sense of control. It is through knowing these characters that Jane learns the demands and sacrifices necessary of women in the 16th century. Rochester’s status choosing to marry a governess is uncustomary. Also the fact that Jane is slightly reluctant to call Rochester by his first name once they are engaged suggests she too finds the situation quite unusual.