Sunday 20 March 2016

The Perfect Paragraph #1

By narrating the novel from two different ideological perspectives, Rhys creates a foundation of multi-vocality through the characters of Antoinette by shifting the reader's attention from "Bertha" the madwoman in the attic, by exposing the painted picture of women being mad and in need for male dominance and stability in their lives. Throughout the novel, the patriarchal oppression that is vexed by the cruelty of Mr. Rochester leads the readers to understand the causes of Antoinette's so called "insanity" within the novel. Nevertheless, she is a women who is suffering from the constraints placed upon by a Victorian male who seeks to control her behavior by underestimating her worth. For example, the choice of words that Rhys uses in particular through the narrative of Mr. Mason creates a sense of de-personalization towards Antoinette's character through the use of the oppressor's abusive power. "Certainly I will Bertha." As seen here, the use of the name Bertha alienates Antoinette from her own reality. However, when read through Antoinette's perspective, the reader gains a sense of understanding as to why she was driven mad by her patriarchal oppressor. Additional factors may have included her sense of rejection and misplacement that she and her mother faced all their lives. The fact that Rhys aims to create a perspective that focuses on feminine docility throughout the novel further emphasizes the narrative purpose of Mr. Rochester in creating another side. 

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