Rereading Jane Eyre As A Female Gothic Novel

As one of the classics of the nineteenth century, Jane Eyre immediately attracted the world's attention when it was published in 1847. For years, the studies on Jane Eyre as Charlotte Bronte's famous novel have appeared to be diversified, and many critics have been inclined to read it as a feminist novel, focusing on Jane's essential personality and lifelong experiences and singing high praise of her indomitable fighting will and independent spirit. However, few of them have ever attempted to read the novel by relating it to its unique gothic context. Therefore, mainly based on Diane Long Hoeveler's theory of Gothic Feminism, the author tries to scrutinize this famous novel from a female gothic perspective, thus analyzing its essential characteristics as a female gothic novel and its profound significance for women. The thesis is divided into five parts:Chapter I demonstrates the purpose of this thesis and tries to establish a general framework for it.Chapter II traces back to the origin of the word Gothic and illuminates its different connotations in different periods of time. By concentrating on Gothic writings, the author points out that despite the notorious reputation of seducing moral degeneration and arousing horror, Gothic novels, in fact, bear positive significance such as exploringhuman natures and giving moral instruction. The author has also introduced some famous gothic writers such as Horace Walpole and Ann Radcliffe and elaborates on the key term of this thesis-Female Gothic.Chapter III provides a detailed analysis of Jane Eyre in gothic context, focusing on Jane's experiences as a female gothic heroine and Rochester's fate of being finally "feminized". Jane's continuous tribulation of being insulated from the outside world by gothic restriction reveals the central idea of Jane Eyre from a female gothic perspective-Jane is incompatible with Gothic components, either Gothic loci or Gothic figures; therefore she is forced to run away repeatedly. When she retreats into a secluded place Jane obtain her peaceful life and happiness.Chapter IV deals with Jane's "passive-aggressive" defensive and consolatory strategy as a female gothic heroine on her way towards maturity and wisdom, with the conclusion that both of them are essential for Jane's complete personality and ultimate triumph. Besides, talking as a combination of the two also plays an important role in Jane's life.The conclusion summarizes Jane's whole life as a female gothic heroine and contends that Jane's lifelong story actually becomes an emotional remedy for women. The happy ending of the novel is likewise regarded as an ideal of female gothic novels.