Theme Analysis

Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea - A Comparison of Theme

Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea are both excellent pieces of written work that explore the theme of racial identity and social class . In Jane Eyre , Jane struggles with her identity as a governess for aristocratic children . As a governess , she is expected to behave in the way that aristocratic people do . She was required to act with class and sophistication . At the same time , she was still considered a paid employee and treated as such . In addition , Jane had no money or

power to change her situation . Jane struggled with the issue of social class because she was expected to act as if she was a member of the upper class while being treated as a member of the lower class . Half of them detestable and the rest ridiculous , and all incubi (Chapter 17

Racial identity plays a role in Wide Sargasso Sea that is similar to the struggle that Jane experienced in Jane Eyre . Antoinette struggles in this book because she is an outcast in Jamaica . One reason is because she wears different fashions than that of the other women who live in Jamaica . Antoinette isn 't a part of either the white group or the black group and hears others call her a white cockroach ' as well as tell her that she isn 't the same as real white people (Part 1 , Section 1 . In addition , Antoinette and her mother do not treat black servants badly as many of the other islanders do . They realize how much the black servants help them in their daily lives and respect them . This further highlights the differences between Antoinette and the other people who live on the island and makes it even more difficult for Antoinette to assimilate herself into either the white culture or the black culture

The desire to be loved and accepted is another major theme throughout both Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea . In Jane Eyre , Jane longs for acceptance and the feeling of belonging . She also wishes for romantic love to come her way . To gain some real affection from you , or Miss Temple , or any other whom I truly love , I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken , or to let a bull toss me , or to stand behind a kicking horse , and let it dash its hoof at my chest (Chapter 8 This quote shows the desperation that Jane felt in her desire to be accepted and loved . As a governess , she was responsible for the well being of aristocratic children and also required to behave in an aristocratic fashion . However , she was still treated like a servant rather than valued for her contribution to the lives of the children She desires romantic love as well but realizes that a relationship with Rochester will only result in her becoming a mistress rather than an equal partner

In Wide Sargasso Sea Antoinette also wishes to be loved and accepted the...