Austen And Bronte Creation "cinderella Complex"

It is widely known that Cinderella is not only an old famous fairy tale but also a love mode and archetype in literature. A kind of Cinderella complex can be discovered with the tale抯 pregnant, birth and spread and deduction. It was obviously reflected by the works of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. These female writers give birth to a series of female figures like Cinderella, following the structure mode of the tale. Their works are inevitably impressed by the ideological conflictions and social changes. The succession and breakthrough of this archetype are mainly reflected in their works. This thesis, falling into three parts, focuses on the Cinderella complex in the works of both Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, trying to probe into the social and psychological sense of this complex. Chapter One analyzes the images of Cinderella in Austen and Bronte抯 works, its connotations and epoch characteristics. All the heroines are kind and upright, just like Cinderella. At the time, they bear more epoch color than her. On the other hand, most of the heroines change to noble women after they get married with a noble man as Cinderella did. But, in order to set off heroines?happy marriage, Austen and Bronte emphasize the spiritual superiority of the heroes instead of the high social position of the prince in the tale, and create a series of 揗ale Road--guiders? In Austen抯 works, these men play the role of 慽deal gentleman and tutor 搕o perfect their lover. In Bronte抯 works, they become a Master, directing and instructing the heroines. Their ideal male images reflect the deep dependence of woman upon man. In the traditional love narration, heroines are always perfect, with beautiful appearance and noble mind. Austen and Bronte breakthrough this tradition. The former satires the heroines shortcomings mercilessly while the latter turns to unearth the inner charm of her homely heroines. Moreover, they doubt the traditional female virtues such as gentleness and submission and reevaluate female values. Intelligence and reason, which were traditionally regarded as man抯 virtue, also belong to woman in Austen抯 works, while Bronte values self-respect and self-confidence. Chapter Two depicts the narration of Austen and Bronte, their heritage and overpass of the original fairy tale. The narrative mode can be summarized as follows: Death of Mother---Hardships in Life ---Frustrations in Love---Happy Ending of Marriage. This mode reflects the social norm at that time which greatly influenced females. In 揇eath of Mother? the kindness of mother and the cruelty of stepmother mirror the metamorphosis of mother in male-dominated culture that usually distinguished women into two extremes: angels or devils. Austen looks squarely into the actual connotation of mother and creates 揑ncompetent Parents? revealing the illusion of ideal mother. Bronte follows the structure of the original tale faithfully. 揊rustrations of love?manifests the passive role of woman in love and marriage, so the works of Austen and Bronte are actually stories of waiting. 揟he happy ending of marriage?is fascinating, however, it reflects the dependence of women who lay their only hope of life in marriage. In traditional novels, the women always need to be protected by men and the latter stand before the former as guardians. Against this deep cultural background revolt Austen and Bronte, tryin...