Jane Eyre as a Nomad: Reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

Abstract

The present research work studies the novel Jane Eyre in the light of nomadism and feminism and proves that Jane Eyre, a nomad, is a revolutionary female character who, through her mobility, challenges the patriarchal norms and values, thereby challenging the whole patriarchal social system. Over passing the patriarchal limitations and rejecting the imposed social construction of woman, Jane presents herself as a feminist. Victorian period marks the culmination of ages long patriarchal domination over women. The women of the Victorian society experience only the limitations and restrictions. Since long ago, their world has been narrowed down to domestic sphere. Free mobility is restricted for them. Instead, women in general have been termed as fragile, submissive, passive, nurturing, emotional and inferior. In such social context of Victorian period, Jane Eyre appears as a rebel. She refuses to be confined within patriarchal boundary, and also denies being a typical Victorian woman. She answers the social stability through her nomadity. She adopts the masculine role while playing gender roles. By doing so, she attempts to deconstruct the patriarchal system. Thus, this research examines how Jane Eyre protects herself from being socially constructed, and how she confronts the patriarchal society with her nomadity.