Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens
This paper reexamines Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre through a Foucauldian lens, focusing on how traditional societal structures and the rise of capitalism impact women in 19th-century Britain, as observed by literary critic Sandra M. Gilbert and Gayatri C. Spivak. It analyses Jane’s journey through o...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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UNISA Press
2024
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/1/117602.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848867293612736512 |
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| author | Nie, Zhixing Kaur, Hardev Mani, Manimangai |
| author_facet | Nie, Zhixing Kaur, Hardev Mani, Manimangai |
| author_sort | Nie, Zhixing |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This paper reexamines Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre through a Foucauldian lens, focusing on how traditional societal structures and the rise of capitalism impact women in 19th-century Britain, as observed by literary critic Sandra M. Gilbert and Gayatri C. Spivak. It analyses Jane’s journey through oppressive environments such as Gateshead Hall, Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, and Marsh End, culminating in her retreat to Ferndean Manor. These settings are interpreted as sites of power that impose disciplinary measures on Jane, both physically and mentally, with windows symbolising possible escape routes. The study argues that Jane represents a female rebel challenging patriarchal constraints and seeking personal freedom and equality. Despite her attempts to transcend societal and economic confines, her ultimate settlement at Ferndean Manor highlights the persistent influence of the old societal order, illustrating the novel’s realism and the complex, inescapable nature of reality. This interpretation enriches the ongoing scholarly discussion about Jane Eyre in light of its relevance to discussions of gender, power dynamics, and societal change. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:34:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-117602 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:34:12Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | UNISA Press |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1176022025-05-30T03:24:50Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/ Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens Nie, Zhixing Kaur, Hardev Mani, Manimangai This paper reexamines Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre through a Foucauldian lens, focusing on how traditional societal structures and the rise of capitalism impact women in 19th-century Britain, as observed by literary critic Sandra M. Gilbert and Gayatri C. Spivak. It analyses Jane’s journey through oppressive environments such as Gateshead Hall, Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, and Marsh End, culminating in her retreat to Ferndean Manor. These settings are interpreted as sites of power that impose disciplinary measures on Jane, both physically and mentally, with windows symbolising possible escape routes. The study argues that Jane represents a female rebel challenging patriarchal constraints and seeking personal freedom and equality. Despite her attempts to transcend societal and economic confines, her ultimate settlement at Ferndean Manor highlights the persistent influence of the old societal order, illustrating the novel’s realism and the complex, inescapable nature of reality. This interpretation enriches the ongoing scholarly discussion about Jane Eyre in light of its relevance to discussions of gender, power dynamics, and societal change. UNISA Press 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_sa_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/1/117602.pdf Nie, Zhixing and Kaur, Hardev and Mani, Manimangai (2024) Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens. Journal of Literary Studies, 40 (1). art. no. 15716. pp. 1-19. ISSN 1753-5387; eISSN: 0256-4718 https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/jls/article/view/15716 10.25159/1753-5387/15716 |
| spellingShingle | Nie, Zhixing Kaur, Hardev Mani, Manimangai Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title | Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title_full | Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title_short | Unveiling Jane Eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a Foucauldian lens |
| title_sort | unveiling jane eyre: space escape and the construction of subjectivity through a foucauldian lens |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/117602/1/117602.pdf |