Social conventions

How does Bronte portray lovers as coming into conflict with the conventions of society?

Through how class expectations act as a barrier to Jane and Rochester’s relationship.

What quotes show class as a barrier in JE?

• “He is not of your order: keep to your caste, and be too self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart, soul, and strength” C17

• “I am poor, obscure, plain, and little” C23 “Her rank and connections suited him” C18

• “I believe she thought I had forgotten my station, and yours, sir” C24

How does class as a barrier in JE link to Victorian context?

Love across class boundaries was problematic in the Victorian Era.

How does class as a barrier link to the form of JE?

Bildungsroman reflects Jane’s journey to become Rochester’s equal.

What have critics said about class as a barrier in JE?

Dunn suggests “her moral and spiritual beliefs form the foundation of her personal commitments, even when love tempts her otherwise”.

What poem links to the idea of coming into conflict with societal conventions?

Long Finish.

How does Muldoon portray lovers as coming into conflict with societal conventions in LF?

The speaker actively defies societal expectations through how they subvert typical ideas of love.

What quotes defy societal expectations in LF?

• “Chardonnay as high as decency allows, / and then some”

• “Its summits and sloughs”

• “Five years of bitter rapture, five of blissful rows”

• “As low as decency allows, / and then some”

• “Princess of Accutane”

How does Muldoon’s portrayal of defying societal expectations relate to the context of the postmodern era?

Crisis of meaning in postmodern era lead to traditional idea of eternal love being questioned and Muldoon subverts this.

How does the form of LF link to literary conventions in the postmodern era?

Conversational tone reflects conventions.

What is another way Bronte portrays lovers coming into conflict with societal expectations in JE?

Gender expectations; in order to gain the egalitarian relationship she desires, Jane must subvert Victorian gender roles through gaining independence.

What quotes show Jane defying gender expectations in JE?

• “I am no bird and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I will now exert to leave you” C23

• “It would not be wicked to love me” “It would to obey you” C27

• “Jane is not such a weakling as you would make her […] she can bear a mountain blast, or a shower, or a few flakes of snow, as well as any of us” C34

• “It was my time to assume ascendency” C35

• “I will abide by your decision” C37

How does Jane defying gender expectations link to the context of the Victorian era?

Women were expected to be submissive, marry for security, and remain dependent on men.

How does the form of JE link to Jane defying gender expectations?

Bildungsroman reflects Jane’s journey to independence.

What have critics said about Jane defying gender expectations?

Gilbert and Gubar suggest “she will not be mastered or owned – her commitment is to her own self respect”

What poem links to the idea of defying societal conventions?

Meeting Point.

How does MacNeice portray defiance of societal conventions?

MacNeice presents love as transcending conventions of society; through love, the speaker and his wife are transported into their own spiritual reality, where societal expectations can’t reach them.

What quotes show love as creating a spiritual reality in MP?

• “Time was away and somewhere else”

• “Somebody stopped the moving stairs”

• “They were neither up nor down”

• “The bells were silent in the air”

• “Her fingers flicked away the ash”

• “Not caring if the markets crashed”

• “Time was away and she was here”

How does love creating a spiritual reality in MP link to 20th century context?

Post WW2 widespread trauma and loss led to popularity of themes of absence and mourning. MacNeice subverts this through presenting love as a transcendental force.