Literary T E A | The Canterbury Tales & Jane Eyre

Paris, France | 03APR18

Literature is quite amazing in the fact that it provides great insight into the time period it was written. Depending on the author's skill and use of literary and rhetorical devices, they are able to obscurely develop an argument that is interwoven into the plot of the narrative, leaving the audience to find a deeper meaning in the text. In most cases, authors utilize this tactic in order to provide some sort of societal criticism to comment on the corruption or malpractice that is evident within society (#teaspilt).

This approach can be seen in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, as he provides a series of narrative poems in a frame story to comment on the structure of the feudal system that was implemented in England during the 14th century. From the decisions made in the chronology to the characterization of each pilgrim, Chaucer asserts the idea of sins within the characters to symbolize the corruption within the church during that period through his precise use of satire. With the feudal system's rigid class system and its lack of social mobility, Chaucer saw it fit to create this narrative to exhibit the inadequacy of society.

While Chaucer utilized wit and text structure to demonstrate his argument, Charlotte Bronte took a slightly different approach in Jane Eyre. Still trying to communicate social commentary throughout the novel, Bronte utilized the interaction between characters to demonstrate her grievances with society; which can be seen in the conversation between Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple in Chapter 7 of Jane Eyre. 

In this specific chapter, Bronte took advantage of this interaction to indirectly characterize the Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, and to develop what each of them are supposed to symbolize in the Victorian society. During this period in English society, the Protestant Church continued to uphold their influence and further instilled their values into the morals of individuals, yet malpractice was still evident as corruption and the abuse of power is inevitable. Which can be seen in the portrayal of Mr. Brocklehurst, as he embodied what it meant to be a hypocrite. Arriving to the orphanage with such pomp and circumstance, with his heavily accessorized wife and daughters by his side, Mr. Brocklehurst begins his review by pointing out how the orphanage is overindulging the girls and spoiling them with a lunch and an extra change of clothes. Going on to argue how these actions will accustom the girls to luxury and indulgence, both of which reflect sins of the church.

With this precise use of indirect characterization, Bronte is able safely create her criticism through the use of an unlikeable character of Mr. Brocklehurst. By placing him a position of authority, power, and wealth, Mr. Brocklehurst represents the ideologies of the church during that time with hypocrisy being the most prevalent issue. From this observation Bronte is trying to demonstrate in her novel, she puts emphasis on to the wrongness of the practice as it questions the morals and ethical values of the church. Bronte is able to develop this argument through the characterization of Mr. Brocklehurst, along with the use of imagery, diction, and syntax, to further communicate her criticism.


(**My response to question 6)