Jane Eyre Historic Analysis

Jane Eyre is often considered by readers to be the black sheep of the Victorian Era due to her assertive tendencies. However, upon closer examination, one would find that Jane fits the character of a Victorian woman quite accurately. The ideal woman of the Victorian Era was to be a sufficiently-educated Lady of the House. Jane is the portrait of this description. The only thing that separates Jane from the ideal woman of the Victorian era is that she is vocal about her thoughts in the company of men. However, even this trait seems to gradually fade as the story progresses, with Jane becoming more reserved. The only point in the novel in which Jane is truly the antithesis of a Victorian woman is when she is a child. That is especially interesting, as children in the Victorian era were expected to be seen and not heard, yet Jane, a female child, was vocal and outspoken. As she grows up and is put through the schooling process that girls were administered during the Victorian era, her outspoken tendencies become more and more infrequent. She even goes as far as to pursue an occupation that exemplified the ideal Victorian woman. Jane is given a job as a governess, and occupation that was reserved for upper class women in the Victorian Era. While Jane would not truly be considered "upper class" by Victorian standards, she earns the job by her merits. This seems to be a contradiction of Victorian traditions, meaning that Jane Eyre possibly takes place during the Victorian Era's transitional period.

Intertextual Frankenstein Analysis

The character of Victor Frankenstein directly parallels Chis McCandless, main character of Into the Wild, in many ways. Both Chis and Frankenstein isolate themselves from the people around them in order to pursue their goals. Into the Wild and Frankenstein share the theme of characters becoming obsessed with their purpose to the point where nothing else matters to them. This leads to the characters forgetting what is truly important and thus destroying themselves. Despite the fact that Frankenstein and Chris both become equally obsessed with achieving their goals, the goals they are attempting to achieve are the antithesis of each other. While Chris rejects all technology in order to engulf himself in nature, Frankenstein rejects all nature to engulf himself in technology. Chis comes to take on the archetypal role of the "survivor-man". while Frankenstein comes to take on the role of a "mad scientist". A philosophy portrayed in both Frankenstein and Into the Wild is that technology carries with it a destructive nature. Chris' dependence on technology leads him to be unable to survive without it on account of his not having the knowledge of how to live without it, while Frankenstein's obsession with technology and advancement causes him to lose his senses and forget about his health and the world around him. Chris' dependence on technology costs him his life, as he so greatly isolated himself that there was no one to save him when he was in need. Frankenstein, on the other hand, was fortunate enough to be saved by Henry early enough that he ended up ill rather than dead; "This was the commencement of a nervous fever, which confined me for many months"(Shelley 38). The fact that Frankenstein was saved by human contact supports the universal truth that humans need others to survive. A motif found in both Frankenstein and Into the Wild is the need to feel strong. Chris combats the forces of nature to help him feel strong, while Frankenstein devotes himself to creating a perfect race to help him feel strong. Both characters let their egos get in the way and undertake their journeys completely alone, dooming them when their plans go awry.

Feminist Response

Many believe Chaucer was a chauvinist due to the way he chose to portray Emily and other women in The Knights Tale. However, if one were to look at his writings from a historical perspective, they'd find that his portrayal of women merely mimicked the writings and customs of the time period in which The Knight's Tale takes place. The story takes place in Athens, in which women were expected to be controlled by men all their lives. It was an Athenian custom that women were to serve their father and brothers before they were married and to serve their husbands during their marriage and in the afterlife. If a woman was born to an important family, they were to be betrothed by an early age or else the family would be dishonored. Despite being related to royalty(even loosely related), Emily was not swiftly sold to the highest bidder. In fact, Theseus showed no intention of betrothing Emily until suitors actually came to him. If anything, Chaucer's portrayal of Emily is progressive. He showed that women could actually be free-thinkers despite having to live their lives as servants. Chaucer may have even inserted Emily's proclamations of woe as a way to show why such customs are immoral. The Knight's Tale was written before any Women's Rights movements had surfaced. It is only natural that women take a subservient role in Chaucer's writings, as that was the custom of the time. Women simply did not take on a dominant role in the writing of those times because they were not expected to in real life, and thus never did. One must also note that Palamon, who prayed to Venus, was the one to marry Emily. This is significant because Venus was a goddess with feminine attributes. Arcite, on the other hand, prays to Mars, a god with masculine attributes, and fails to achieve his ultimate goal. Thus, Chaucer showed the strengh of feminine qualities over masculine qualities.

Ideal Society 2

No changes have been made to my society due to the fact that I found nobody in another's society who I felt was worth trading for. That is not to say that everyone else's choices were poor. Rather, it means that my society was perfect for me and their societies were perfect for them. Quite honestly, if there was someone I felt was more deserving of a spot in my society than someone who was already in there, they would have been a part of my society in the first place. My society works out because each member has their own set of beliefs and dreams, which all seem to revolve around the possibility of objective happiness. Each member is also powerful in some way, whether it be from their influential words or their ability to warp reality. This allows the members to eliminate all threats to their happiness. One possible flaw in my society is that there could be a power struggle should a member be denied the happiness that they are owed, or if one member's happiness conflicts with the happiness of another. This is only a possible flaw because each member of the society has their own idea of how their happiness can be achieved, but do not see fit to use others in their plans of achieving such happiness. Rather, they all know and rely on their own strengths to chase after their dreams. Each member can work with others, but it content being by his/herself. This means that no member of the society will seek to influence others, and will only share their opinions on a subject when asked to do so. Jareth, being a master of dreams, can easily make the dreams of each member of the society come true without conflicting with the dreams of other members. There is peace in such a society, making it stable.

Ideal Society

The members of my ideal society are Jareth, George Carlin, Sekhmet, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and Ramona Flowers. Jareth, from the movie Labyrinth , was chosen to be the leader because he is the Goblin King of the Labyrinth, and has a great deal of experience in ruling having done it for thousands of years. He has the power to make dreams a reality and warp dimensions, and is thus able to create the perfect society for the five members to live in. He is a dreamer who deals in the dreams of others, making him able to constantly improve the society. George Carlin was chosen because he is a phenomenal comedian and social critic. He inspired many people to become comedians, including Chris Rock, Lewis Black, and Sam Kinison, which shows his ability to spread and appreciation of comedy to others. He never takes anything at face value, which ensures that he will be quick to point out any flaws in the society so that they may be fixed. Sekhmet was chosen because she is the Egyptian Goddess of warfare, the hunt, the wilds, protection, sexuality, the desert sun, magicians, physicians, etc. She is known as the Protector of Pharaohs and can both cause and relieve the greatest of agonies, making her the perfect warrior and healer. She is also motherly towards those she protects and strives to ensure their happiness. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show was chosen because of his extensive knowledge in the field of science. He is able to create human life within just seven days, and has a great deal of knowledge of multiple galaxies. He also has access to the technology of multiple planets, which will aid the advancement of the society. Ramona Flowers the Scott Pilgrim book series was chosen because of her ability to travel through subspace, making her able to move from one place to another quickly and even enter the dreams of others. She is also able to store items and subspace, and thus protect items from theft. This makes her the ideal banker and laborer for the society. My society values dreams, advancement, and good times. Each member of my society contributes to making the society a paradise, whether it be by protecting the society from outside harm or improving it from within.

Essential Question # 5

The Code of Courtly Love

1) Two people must first be acquaintances, then friends, before finally attempting a romantic relationship. It is improper to force yourself on another person, and no one should enter a relationship expecting it to be romantic. If it is to be, the romantic relationship will come naturally.

2) The initiator of the relationship should be the male. However, the female is allowed to attempt to initiate the relationship should she feel it necessary(No rushing things, though).

3) The two people must tell their friends and family of their significant other within a week of recognizing their romantic relationship. This revelation must take place in person.

4) The two people must introduce their friends and family to their significant other within a month of recognizing their romantic relationship.

5) When the two people feel mutually ready, they should plan a date in an area that interests them both. This allows them both to behave comfortably and naturally. The initiator of said date does not matter.

6) While on a date that requires money, the person who initiated the date should be expected to pay. However, the male should be expected to at least offer to pay for the date regardless of whether or not he offered. The couple splitting the cost is also acceptable.(In the case of a homosexual or lesbian couple, the buyer can be decided amongst themselves).

7) Once a couple feels comfortable enough with each other, one of them can plan a date with the other in a surprise location that they feel their significant other would enjoy. The initiator of these dates must pay close attention to the reaction of their significant other once they arrive at their destination in order to be sure that their date is enjoying themselves, and be prepared to leave should their significant other become uncomfortable. The initiator of these dates does not matter.

8) Either of the two people in a romantic relationship are allowed to initiate the first kiss. Should the other not be ready, the initiator is required to stop immediately out of respect. The one who refused should explain their reasons for not feeling ready and forgive the other for trying to kiss them. Try to make such an awkward situation as comfortable as possible, for it could save the relationship.

9) Both individuals in a romantic relationship should readily compliment the other on their appealing qualities, and avoid using malicious insults.

10) Once the two people are comfortable with each other, they should plan a formal date in which friends or family is present. The initiator of this date should be whoever has such an opportunity available.

Essential Question # 4

Simplify and analyze Hrothgar's parting words to Beowulf from line 1708-1767.

In his parting words to Beowulf, Hrothgar warns Beowulf to learn the nature of nobility and give thanks to God. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that noble man will go through life without being harmed until he falls victim to the devil's temptations. Once a man gives in to sin, they are filled with a feeling of greed and wanting; "What had long contented him now seems insufficient; he becomes embittered, begins to hoard his treasures, never parts with gold rings in ceremonial splendor; he soon forgets his destiny and disregards the honors given him of God, the Ruler of Glory"(1732-1737). It is fitting that Hrothgar is the one to give Beowulf this advice, as it was he himself who had originally taken up a life of greed and fallen into the "Devil's" clutches. This is a lesson that Beowulf has, or should have, already learned by now after his encounter with Grendel's mother. Hrothgar's speech may merely serve as a way that the author can convey the reason why Beowulf had difficulty in defeating Grendel's mother to the reader. Hrothgar's speech also serves as an explanation that those who turn away from God are filled with greed out of a need for compensation, as a life without God is empty. Hrothgar then tells Beowulf to always swallow pride, as the glories he will achieve in life will not be as worthwhile as his reward in heaven. Hrothgar reminds Beowulf that all men eventually die, and advises him to focus less on his own glory and more giving glory to God.