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An Exploration of Anger in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights: Class, Gender and Ethnicity

McIver, Sarah LU (2018) LIVR07 20181
Master's Programme: Literature - Culture - Media
Abstract
This thesis explores expressions of anger in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Wuthering
Heights by Emily Brontë. Firstly, a brief survey of how anger has been interpreted by
philosophers, theologians, doctors and scientists allows for better understanding of how anger
has been conceptualised in the past. Secondly, contextual information specifically about
nineteenth-century beliefs and practices concerning the mind and body, are presented to
provide a secure background for analysing angry behaviour and language in the two novels.
The first section of the main body of the thesis focuses on anger in the context of class
positions, the second section explores anger in relation to gender roles and the final section
analyses how the... (More)
This thesis explores expressions of anger in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Wuthering
Heights by Emily Brontë. Firstly, a brief survey of how anger has been interpreted by
philosophers, theologians, doctors and scientists allows for better understanding of how anger
has been conceptualised in the past. Secondly, contextual information specifically about
nineteenth-century beliefs and practices concerning the mind and body, are presented to
provide a secure background for analysing angry behaviour and language in the two novels.
The first section of the main body of the thesis focuses on anger in the context of class
positions, the second section explores anger in relation to gender roles and the final section
analyses how the notions of race and ethnicity affect how anger is expressed and received.
This thesis suggests that the repression of anger due to societal expectations concerning class,
gender and ethnicity, has disastrous consequences for the characters concerned and society at
large. Open expression of anger during the Victorian era was dangerous for oppressed
members of society, as the law and public opinion would not provide the necessary support or
protection. These conditions are reflected in the two novels. The most successful characters
use their anger as a catalyst for change and remove themselves from the toxic situations which
create anger. This move only seems possible for those who have familial and/or financial
support. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
McIver, Sarah LU
supervisor
organization
course
LIVR07 20181
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
gender, class, ethnicity, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Brontë.
language
English
id
8952482
date added to LUP
2018-07-04 13:37:46
date last changed
2018-07-04 13:37:46
@misc{8952482,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores expressions of anger in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Wuthering
Heights by Emily Brontë. Firstly, a brief survey of how anger has been interpreted by
philosophers, theologians, doctors and scientists allows for better understanding of how anger
has been conceptualised in the past. Secondly, contextual information specifically about
nineteenth-century beliefs and practices concerning the mind and body, are presented to
provide a secure background for analysing angry behaviour and language in the two novels.
The first section of the main body of the thesis focuses on anger in the context of class
positions, the second section explores anger in relation to gender roles and the final section
analyses how the notions of race and ethnicity affect how anger is expressed and received.
This thesis suggests that the repression of anger due to societal expectations concerning class,
gender and ethnicity, has disastrous consequences for the characters concerned and society at
large. Open expression of anger during the Victorian era was dangerous for oppressed
members of society, as the law and public opinion would not provide the necessary support or
protection. These conditions are reflected in the two novels. The most successful characters
use their anger as a catalyst for change and remove themselves from the toxic situations which
create anger. This move only seems possible for those who have familial and/or financial
support.}},
  author       = {{McIver, Sarah}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{An Exploration of Anger in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights: Class, Gender and Ethnicity}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}