A Comparative Analysis of Feminism in Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice

摘要

夏洛蒂•勃朗特和简•奥斯汀同为英国以描写女性文学而著称的女作家，她们笔下的两部小说《简爱》与《傲慢与偏见》都深切地表达了女性追求平等、自由与争取个人幸福的强烈愿望。本论文通过对这两部小说、以及小说作者和小说中人物的分析，研究女权主义的定义及在两部小说中的体现，并反映了在19世纪的英国，女性地位低下以及女性受男性的压迫和歧视。《简爱》和《傲慢与偏见》中的女权主义既有共同点又有不同。共同点在于对爱情、平等以及独立的追求；不同点在于对婚姻、金钱等的看法。本论文通过对两部作品的对比，解读女权主义在男尊女卑大环境下的发展过程，展现女权主义觉醒后对生存、自尊、自由的反抗精神。同时启示人们对当代婚姻观进行反思，呼吁女性应当享有和男性同等的权利和地位。

本论文分为四部分。第一部分简单介绍作者和小说；第二部分解释女权主义的定义以及女权主义在两部小说中的体现；第三部分分析两部小说中女权主义的异同；最后一部分讲述女权主义的觉醒，同时阐明女性的反抗意识和对当代社会的反思。

关键字：《简爱》；《傲慢与偏见》；女权主义；比较

Abstract

Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen are both famous female writers in Britain. Their two novels, Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice, express the strong desire of women to pursue equality, freedom and personal happiness. Through the analysis of the two novels, the author themselves and the characters in the novels, this thesis not only studies the definition of feminism and the embodiment in the two novels, but also reflects the low status of women, and the oppression and the discrimination women suffered by men in the 19th century. There are similarities and differences about feminism between Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. Their common ground lies in their pursuit of love, equality and independence. The difference lies in their views on marriage, money and so on. Through the comparison of the two novels, this thesis analyses the development process of feminism in the patriarchal environment, and shows the resistance of survival, dignity and freedom. At the same time, this thesis inspires people to reflect on the contemporary concept of marriage, and calls on women to pursuit the same rights and status as men.

This thesis consists of four parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to the authors and their novels; the second part explains the definition of feminism and shows feminism in the two novels; the third part analyses the similarities and the differences of feminism in the two novels; the last part illuminates the awakening of feminism and introduces women’s resistance consciousness and reflection to the contemporary society.

Key words: Jane Eyre; Pride and Prejudice; feminism; comparison