When I speak of the public norms and conventions of the 19th century, it must first be stated what these norms and conventions actually entail. Within the 19th hundred years, more specifically in the Victorian time public norms were something every person must make an effort to live up to, to keep their reputation and admiration of these peers intact. In the Victorian time life was very different for women in comparison to our life today, women's rights have increased and grown hugely since that time, this is something that has to also be studied into consideration when analyzing the formation of the feminine protagonists (Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bront in 1847 and Jane Eyre compiled by Charlotte Bront in 1847). Some of the basic norms and conventions of that time were for example; that ladies needed to be looked after by men, first by their fathers and then once hitched by their husbands. This norm helps extrapolate on the decisions which were made in both novels by the protagonists. A woman in an higher or middle income family was expected to stay at home and number dinner parties, calling on friends or browsing her dressmaker. A man was likely to be the head of the family, and his rules were to be well known as such. It had been a norm a man and a woman could only be committed if indeed they were from the same communal class, this is to keep their own families riches and reputation intact. For a guy and female from different classes to be wed, was seen as unacceptable and therefore treated consequently, generally this designed that the enthusiasts would be disowned if they'd choose to defy their families will. But in the Victorian time, and especially in its literature it also became an expectation that the men who have been considered gentlemen for his or her school would also be gentlemen in their do instead of only prosperity, the title of any gentleman commenced to also have a moral expectancy mounted on it.
"He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults [. . . ]. He's patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement because it is irreparable, also to death, because it is his destiny. If he partcipates in controversy of any sort, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blunder. "
As Newman says, a 'real' gentleman was also likely to have these inner qualities apart from the obvious objectives of his riches. If we go through the male protagonists of both books we see that Heathcliff has nothing of the characteristics to be a gentleman, and this Rochester has some qualities of the choice above, but not all. If we look at that which was seen as a 'real' gentleman, it helps put the options made by the female character types into more perspective.
The woman protagonists are both very restrained in their charming life, because of the era these were created in, and the interpersonal class they inherited at delivery. There are clear romantic limitations, such as Jane Eyre not being of a high enough social class to be considered a potential partner for Rochester. Along with the expectations that were put after Catherine Earnshaw's shoulder blades pressed her towards Edgar Linton. Both of these women who are very different from one another, they're not from an identical social school nor do they have appropriate personalities, yet both suffer from the restriction to be near to the men they love. But even though society's norms are the primary limitations for these their intimate choices, their personalities also play a role in prohibiting them from following their center. Catherine having been elevated in a middle class family with respectable social standing has had most things handed to her on a silver platter anticipated to her beauty. But her personality has great similarities get back of Heathcliff, as she can be very crude and selfish; this selfishness combined with her being acclimatized to the riches of her family led her to decide for Edgar Linton over Heathcliff. Edgar possessed the security in wealth of a gentleman, and he also acquired the characteristics of a gentleman, making him the better option for the reason that era. Jane Eyre's personality prohibited her in a totally different manner; she was raised to be a governess for a wealthy family. She was educated to be the smaller person, to always put her own dreams and needs second. Jane learnt to obtain dignity without riches; she ironically has all the characteristics detailed in Newman's quotation. And for that reason sense of dignity she refuses to be with Rochester as a mistress, as she feels there is absolutely no pride in being one, it is either all (relationship) or nothing. There lays a certain degree of irony in the actual fact that matrimony under different classes was so frowned upon, and that the low classes received so little admiration from the bigger classes. But however Jane's personality is that of a 'gentleman' and Catherine's personality is crude and selfish, and yet Catherine obtains more respect from culture purely predicated on her social status, when the truth is Jane deserves this respect more because of who she is as a person. The strong distinctions in the personalities of the females, gives us the chance to observe the intimate limitations created by society's cultural norms and conventions from two different perspectives.
The reason I selected this subject matter is due to way both novels captured my interest, but for very different reasons. Wuthering Heights was a tale that kept me on my feet, and Jane Eyre was more of a down-to-earth novel. But even though these novels are very different they still show similar elements, such as the masculinity of the male protagonists, and the forbidden romantic love that takes place. And the actual fact these two works were written by sisters, yet are written in that distinctly diverse manner made the books all the more intriguing.
Society's effect on choices created by the female protagonists
Social status has great affect on what was expected of folks in the 19th century. The society of that time had a totally different perspective on under what conditions two people should be wed, they felt that you need to marry of their own class. That is different from the western society of today where people can marry within any course for any reason. The fate of an individual in the 19th century was established from your day they were delivered, depending on family these were born into. Jane's situation is a good example of the effectiveness of societies influence when it comes right down to the norms of communal status, her mother was created into a prosperous family but she thought we would follow her heart and marry a man of a lower status, her family disowned her and still left her without inheritance. That is ironic because, Jane's mom chose to follow her heart and for that reason Jane cannot follow hers, when she's originally meant to have been delivered into the same category as Rochester. Plus the only other option still left for Jane was to be Rochester's mistress, but her dignity and self-respect wouldn't allow her to become such. A mistress is a woman that is frowned upon, always will come in second next to a better half, whose children haven't any to their father's family name and who also be shunned for her virginity not being intact and being unmarried, Jane sensed she deserved a life with an increase of dignity than that. And Heathcliff, whom was found and helped bring in to the Earnshaw family, was never truly accepted because he had not been created into the family, therefore wasn't accepted to be from the same communal status as all of those other Earnshaw's.
In the 19th century the middle school could be split up into two different forms, a family's prosperity could either be achieved or inherited. Among this are the Earnshaw's and the Linton's who both inherit their prosperity and reputation, but Heathcliff achieves his prosperity in some strange manner and comes back as a 'gentleman' in prosperity. Heathcliff's wealth is considered less renowned than the riches of the Linton's, because the Linton's have 'old' money. The reason 'old' or inherited money was considered more reputable is basically because with wealth comes a certain approach to life. Education was better for the abundant, and therefore their conversation and mannerisms as well. The term 'poor' didn't only suggest a person without prosperity but it was related to someone that is filthy and lacks manners. Therefore someone with 'new' or achieved money would be considered as a person that has lacked manners and was filthy until they turned wealthy, leaving their wealth to be less respected than the wealth of a person with a more respectable track record. The Linton's are a perfect exemplory case of a family that has inherited riches, because of their mannerisms and educated ways of managing matters. Like stated before being a gentleman wasn't no more than being wealthy in the 19th hundred years it was also connected to just how one acted. This is why even though Heathcliff became a richer man, he still cannot be called a 'real' gentleman as he's still rude, with a negative temper and has a foul vocabulary.
Catherine decided to go with Edgar because he could offer what their population respected, wealth and a good name. And Heathcliff at first can offer her neither, and when he was able to offer her a wealthy life it was too past due, as Catherine had already wedded Edgar.
"You like Mr. Edgar because he is good looking, and young, and cheerful, and abundant, and loves you. The past, however, goes for nothing - You would love him without that, probably, and with it, you wouldn't, unless he possessed the four previous attractions. "
As Nelly Dean mentions in the quotation, Catherine only adores Edgar for what he provides, but she doesn't love him for the love he provides, as that isn't what appeals to her it is his wealth and good name that she loves. She would like for herself what world would expect and want from her, to marry into a good family.
Jane Eyre
Jane is ordinary, educated and 3rd party and yet she manages to find a balance in which she retains her boldness to herself almost all of the time, as to participate in the goals of someone of her public position. Within the 19th century a governess was a female who worked well as an educator and nanny of rich children. A governess was always unmarried, ladies that weren't suitable for marriage either because of their family situations or beauty were sent to schools to be governesses. An example of when this would occur would maintain a case comparable to Jane's where her parents passed on and she relocated in with rich family members, who then sent her to a governess school because they could afford it and she wasn't suitable to be wedded into a good family because of her insufficient beauty and femininity. Being a governess was a way for a woman to be impartial and still be respected even though she's unmarried.
"If they haven't any husbands to toil for the coffee lover, they must succeed food for themselves. They found, if indeed they wouldn't normally sink in the scale, they must work with their heads, rather than with their hands (qtd. in Fraser's Newspaper 569). "
Becoming a governess was an alternative solution for female of the middle class who had been unsuitable to be committed to a man of good standing up, for their lack of beauty or occasionally young families that refused to purchase her marriage, this was the situation with Jane whose aunt didn't look after her by any means. By being a governess the woman would keep some sociable standing in the middle school. But even though her interpersonal status was above that of the servants, it was still below her experts, and even though her status is reported to be above that of a servant she'd still have to share some utilizations with the servants and they were not appreciated to serve her. A governess was also likely to be submissive to her masters and their peers, and she cannot retaliate to insults created by either.
"You should hear mama on the section of governesses: Mary and I've had, I should think, twelve at least inside our day; half of these detestable and the rest ridiculous, and all incubi - were they not, mama?"4
"My dearest, don't talk about governesses; the term makes me nervous. I have experienced a martyrdom using their incompetency and caprice. I thank Heaven I've now finished with them!"
This is just how Rochester's friends would talk about Jane whilst she was in the area, they didn't care for her feelings, nor have they respect her enough to whisper or hold out till she remaining the room. It really is a great example of how Jane was expected to be submissive, and this she satisfied this expectancy by not retaliating to these insults.
But Jane also experienced characteristics that weren't common in an average governess, she was unbiased and strong-willed. These characteristics come out when she tries to pursue and intimate romantic relationship with Rochester despite her social class. This takes courage and a strong sense of what she wishes, and demonstrates she's willing to stop the esteem from her world to check out her heart. Another indication of her strong courage is when she leaves Thornfield, even though she wished to be with Rochester her self-respect and dignity wouldn't allow her to place aside her pride and become his mistress. Society's norms and conventions have a great impact how Jane reacts and presents herself in situations. And her account shows how society firmly affected who she was on the surface - submissive, quiet, and basic - but it couldn't oppress her best characteristics that always came out in her biggest decisions. And it was thanks to her strength and determination that she could conclude with the man she cherished after having waited patiently. And her courage that ensured she placed true to herself till the end, and Jane is rewarded for remaining true to herself by eventually ending up with Rochester.
Jane's lifestyle was quite definitely criticized in the Victorian age, not only by individuals in the book, but by its readers of the 19th century.
"It is a very exceptional book: we've no remembrance of another merging such genuine ability with such horrid flavour. Both together have equally helped to gain the great popularity they have enjoyed; for nowadays of luxurious adoration of most that bears the stamp of novelty and originality, large rudeness and vulgarity attended set for a most mistaken worship. "(Elizabeth Rigby)
Rigby says that the reason why Jane Eyre is treasured is basically because it is original, but she also finds that it is 'vulgar', 'rude', and a 'mistaken worship'. If we compare this to for example my take on Jane Eyre, which is that she was a young woman who possessed to survive a lot of hardships and managed to still stay true from what she experienced was right and in the end got rewarded because of this self-perseverance. We see that views have changed greatly with time.
Catherine Earnshaw
Catherine comes from a family with good social standing, and is also also very beautiful. They are two qualities, which are essential for a woman to be an eligible option for marrying into a prosperous family. But these aren't the only real traits that were expected from a suitable bride-to-be in the Victorian period, these were also likely to be submissive with their husband, a good hostess with their guests during meal get-togethers and such, and have children for whom they'd hire a governess to deal with. Catherine had the beauty, but her personality wasn't that of the right wife, she's depicted as untamed in the book, bad tempered, selfish and keen. Catherine got the superficial attributes to become a good better half, but none of the inner characteristics necessary.
During this time a woman was completely reliant on her husband, so it is understandable that Catherine would choose the safer highway, and marry Edgar Linton for his security and position. But it became an interior issue for Catherine, because even though she thought Edgar can offer her what she desired, he cannot. She thought that what she desired was what society proposed she should want, even though her personality traits are that of someone who inside our time would be considered livelier and needs things that are less regular, and what she actually required was to be with Heathcliff.
"My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time changes it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees - my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal stones beneath - a way to obtain little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly I am Heathcliff - he's always, always on my mind - not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself - but, as my very own being"
This identifies Catherine's internal conflict, she is in love with Edgar for what he has to offer her, but she adores Heathcliff as a part of herself, he is her true love. Yet she can't be with him in line with the norms of modern culture. Emily Bront shows how society's conventions of the Victorian age group stand in the way of a woman's center and thoughts, by describing the turmoil Catherine feels when she has to make a choice between what is normal and what she truly wishes. And her when she select society's conventions, she also selected her own damage, because she discovers she find the path of a misused life. Catherine choosing Edgar rather than Heathcliff brings about a whole lot of sympathy in viewers of today's contemporary society, because we're now used to the people getting married for love instead of it simply being predicated on wealth and position. Most visitors feel a great deal sympathy, Catherine's defects become less visible.
"We do not condone their outrages, but neither do we simply condemn them. We do something larger plus more important: we acknowledge in them the tragedy of passionate natures whom intolerable stress and loss have stripped them of these humanity. "(John Hagan)
"The success is not add up to the skills of the writer; chiefly because the incidents are too coarse and disagreeable to be attractive, the most effective being improbable, with a moral taint about them, and the villainy not resulting in results sufficient to justify the intricate pains used depicting it. " (Undiscovered)
When we compare both of these statements created by two different critics, the first declaration being by Hagan who is nearer to our society of today and the latter one being truly a statement made by a critic in 1847 the entire year that the novel was written we see that our take on morality and sympathy is completely not the same as the morality of the contemporary society Wuthering Heights occurred in. Whenever we go through the criticism made in the 19th century, it can help put point of view on the decision Catherine made, choosing Heathcliff would've been 'disagreeable' and have a 'moral taint' as expressed by the critic. But even though Catherine decided Edgar, the book still received moral criticism because her heart wasn't in agreement with her choice and Emily Bront shown that in a brutal manner, which in line with the critic was 'improbable'. When Hagan areas that the enthusiasm between Heathcliff and Catherine is something we identify, and even makes us neither 'condone' nor 'condemn' their crude acts of revenge. Catherine's decision to choose Edgar and try to surpass her society's goals seems more understandable now we've compared these two critic's views. Emily Bront shows us the controversy Catherine was starting with her make the traditional choice, but having her display her thoughts for Heathcliff in an 'immoral' way.
Conclusion
In bottom line, both females experienced in their passionate life because of what society's sociable norms and conventions expected from them. Jane was expected to remain submissive, tranquil and in the backdrop, and Catherine was expected to marry a man of her cultural status, bare children, and be a good hostess. Both women refused to be what their culture attempted to enforce these to be.
Jane, who wasn't of a high enough social class to be permitted to marry Rochester without bringing upon shame and alienation for both of them, was still left with the option to be his mistress. She chose to not become his mistress out of self-respect, dignity and pride. Throughout her report we see that she tries to struggle the public conventions while at the same time keeping true to her own morals.
Catherine became very inspired by society's communal norms and what her world expected from her. She then had to make the choice between your safe and secure street; Edgar, or the dangerous and keen road; Heathcliff. She select for the safer highway, as this is what she grew up to choose. But in the end her decision to choose Edgar is what helped bring her to her end. These two very different women both made different choices. Catherine select society's highway, and finished up reaching her downfall out of real misery, and Jane who always stored true from what she experienced was right, finished up marrying the man she loved, rather than as his mistress. These two show what a great impact society's norms and conventions have on its people, and on the decisions they've made. We can note that it was hard for Catherine to help make the right choice, and she didn't stay to true from what she really needed, a significant decision like the main one she made would set someone's life time in that time. "Why shouldn't you undergo? I do! Do you want to ignore me - are you considering happy while i am in the planet earth?" Catherine is expressing her pain to Heathcliff, she seems as though she's the victim, as if she's been tricked into making the incorrect choice. And she desires to know if Heathcliff will still remember her, why only she's to put up with under her blunder. Her selfish personality comes out in this estimate, one of the features that got her to make the wrong choice to begin with. By looking at these two women we see that contemporary society destroys Catherine and that Jane is strong enough and perseveres because she always continues true to herself and her morals. "Reader, I hitched him. A tranquil wedding we had: he and I, the parson and clerk, were alone present. " Jane finished up finding her happiness with Rochester, unlike Catherine and Heathcliff. The books reveal that being true to culture over keeping true to yourself will let you meet your end.
There is a certain irony in the actual fact that what the community wanted for its women was what helped bring one of these women to her doom. One must question, why would a modern culture want something that quit people from keeping yourself true to themselves, and barred out the choice of them ever being happy? Society is what sorts these women, but the Bront's show that they still have a choice left to make for themselves. It could seem to be that the red thread that is flowing throughout these books has one great similarity, which is that there surely is no happiness to be found if one cannot be true to themselves.
