Abstract
This review analyzes the significance of the character Bertha in Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, "Jane Eyre". The paper discusses how Bertha becomes the women that Jane wishes she could be when things are out of control and how Bronte strategically places Bertha near Jane so that she can be that extension and so that Jane can live vicariously through her. The paper shows how Bertha becomes an extension of Jane's character, illustrating how Bertha represents the side of Jane that longs to be free and independent of men.

From the Paper
"Bertha's character is an emotional outlet for the emotions that Jane does not allow herself to experience. Jane is accustomed to behaving in a prim and proper manner most of the time and we see this even when she discovers the truth about Bertha. She firmly decides to tell Rochester that she needs to leave and "begin a new existence amongst strange faces and strange scenes" (Bronte 333). She wants to leave him because her option is intolerable. She struggles, however, to get to this point. Earlier, she wavers even though she knows exactly what she should do. For example, she writes that she hears a "voice within in me averred that I could do it; and foretold that I should do it. I wrestle with my own resolution: I wanted to be weak and avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me" (326). Her struggle is too much for her at times because just a few lines later when Rochester wonders if Jane could ever forgive him she does so "on the spot" (326) without any regret or wavering. She does forgive him but it is only a matter of the heart. She still knows what she must do to carry on with her life but it does not make her any happier. Bertha is just the opposite of this prim and proper lady. She can do crazy things because she is unstable and she can be excused for that behavior. Jane never has that luxury. Bertha's appearance allows the conflict to surface."

Tags:women conflict, male-dominated

Abstract
This literary study examines the role of Bertha Mason as the alter-ego of Jane Eyre. While Bertha represents the maddened and insane Victorian wife, bound to the household by Rochester; Jane seeks a far more equal feminist standing her relationship with Rochester. When she finally marries Rochester at the end of the novel, she has done with a feminist dignity, which contrasts the role that Bertha enacted as a prisoner in the attic. This why Bertha represents an alter-ego to Jane in the characterization brought forth by Charlotte Bronte.

From the Paper
"This literary study will analyze the character Bertha Mason in 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. In many ways, Bertha is the alter ego of Jane Eyre, as she clearly represents the Victorian insanity and delusional state, which opposes Jane's feminist integrity and sober mannerisms. By analyzing these behaviors, one can realize how Bronte brings forth this contrast of characterization through a psychological ego-based criterion. In essence, Bertha Mason, Rochester's clandestine wife, is the alter-ego of Jane's sober and modest feminist behaviors within the novel. The basis for Bertha as the alter-ego to Jane is founded through the principle of Victorian patriarchal domestic norms."

Tags:gender, victorian, literature

Abstract
The essay examines the character of Bertha Mason, Rochester's first wife, in the book "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. The paper argues that Bertha was not insane, but an oppressed, possibly abused, woman who refused to submit to the societal norms of 19th century patriarchal society. The writer looks into the 19th century expectations of the "ideal woman", characteristics that were lacking in Bertha Mason, and concludes that Bertha was not crazy (mad), but rather angry (mad) at her ill-treatment.

From the Paper
"Welter (1966) points out that women who engaged in sexual activity beyond duty to their husbands, especially premarital or extramarital, always ended in "madness" in Victorian literature. Did Bertha not subscribe to the "cult of true womanhood" in which a real woman was believed to be without any sexual feelings, to be responsible for the man's sexual behavior, to be religious, obedient to her husband, and to provide a serene haven for him?"

Tags:Victorian, patriarchal, mentally-ill

Abstract
This paper explains that the protagonist Bertha Mason, who never consents to society's restrictions on women's behavior in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre", symbolizes the oppression of women by the patriarchal system where men are the interpreters and enforcers of social and political rules. The author points out that Bertha is interested in neither social acceptance nor self respect; her childhood experiences did not teach her to comply with social rules. The paper relates the story and concludes that, although Bertha's conduct seems inappropriate according to the norms of nineteenth century middle class society, it cannot be definitely diagnosed as mental illness.

From the Paper
"Rochester is "ignorant, raw and inexperienced" and is "dazzled" by Bertha's beauty. After the marriage he realizes that he "never loved, never esteemed nor even knew her" and that he was "not sure of the existence of one virtue in her nature, neither modestly nor benevolence nor candor nor refinement in her mind of manners." Rochester criticizes Bertha's behavior in the context of morality and intellect, but his belief in her madness is arbitrary. Her behavior tends to be more demanding and self indulgent than insane: "No servant would bear the continued outbreaks of her violent and unreasonable temper, or the vexations of her absurd, contradictory, exacting orders.""

Tags:patriarchal, rochester, oppression, temper, psyche

Abstract
The paper begins with a character study of Bertha Mason, who appears in both novels. Her role and capabilities in the two novels are compared and the paper discusses how Rhys' novel is in some ways a revision of Bronte's work. The language, speech, thought and genre in the two novels are compared, and the differences in settings are highlighted. The difference in perspective (English vs. Colonial) in the novels is discussed and Rochester's reaction to his wife in each novel is studied. The paper supports its claims with quotes from the novels and concludes by summing up the similarities and differences between the works.

From the Paper
"Bertha Antoinetta Mason is an interesting character, who plays a relatively minor role in "Jane Eyre," but a major role in Jane's fate. It is easy to see why Rhys decided to resurrect her and tell her story, because even though she only appears a few times in the novel, she is a fascinating character. Bertha is the mad wife of Mr. Rochester, Jane's love. He married Mason without knowing her family's roots in madness."

Tags:role, capabilities, revision, language, genre, differences, setting, perspective, Rochester, thought, speech

Abstract
This paper examines and contrasts the natures of two characters in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre": Jane and Rochester's first wife, Bertha. The paper highlights the restraints facing both women and shows how each woman has chosen the only logical conclusion; Bertha through the freedom of death and Jane through further restraint and perfect humility in a love match with an old blind man. The paper shows how each woman has chosen the proper reconciliation for the restrained life they have led, bringing to a rightful conclusion the possible happiness for a man who was also restrained by his legalistic and proper society.

From the Paper
"Jane Eyre is an essential work of fiction outlining the subject of the isolation and narrowness of place for women in its contemporary society. The work grapples with a dichotomy of comparing the right and the wrong of a woman's place, and her right or wrong reaction to restraint, by openly comparing the nature of Jane and the nature of Rochester's first wife, the lunatic Bertha. The options for women, facing social and cultural strife are demonstrated by the choices each makes to survive, Jane to become beguiling and Bertha to go mad in the face of her restraint. There are two passages in the work that express this comparison best, and first the passage where the reader is formally introduced to the secret lunatic locked within the secret room of the manner after Rochester is rightfully accused of attempting to become a bigamist."

Tags:Bertha, Rochester, confinement

Abstract
This paper looks at Katherine Mansfield's work "Bliss" to identify if any of De Beauvoir's theories in "The Second Sex" can be drawn from it. It examines the relationship between Bertha and Miss Fulton and her husband Harry in "Bliss" in order to highlight some key theories of "The Second Sex" and demonstrates how "Bliss" can be viewed as a literary response to feminism which attempts to present women's oppression.

From the Paper
"In the opening lines of Bliss, the reader is given an insight into Bertha's happy state and her analysis of her own blissful feelings: 'there is no way you can express it without being "drunk and disorderly." How idiotic civilisation is! Why be given a body if you have to keep it shut up in a case like a rare, rare fiddle?' This suggests that, as opposed to drunkenness and disorderliness, the accepted norms of behaviour for the female character are dignity and self-control. The reader is given the first clue as to a class prejudice, for Bertha is reflecting the viewpoint of her world and environment. It can therefore be assumed that she comes from a middle-class, bourgeois background."

Tags:feminism, bertha, oppression, miss, fulton

Abstract
This paper looks at the many similarities in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights", and Charlotte Bronte's novel, "Jane Eyre". The author discusses the gothic elements present in both books: the dark, the hidden, the secrets, and the brooding characters like Heathcliff and Mr. Rochester. The paper examines the element of the occult in both novels: ghosts, visions, the dead Catharine, and insane Bertha Mason Rochester.

From the Paper:

"
Traditionally, Gothic elements were constituted by the ambiguous, the chaotic, the unenlightened, the supposedly irrational, the dark, the hidden, and the secret. According to literary handbooks, Gothic is a matter of d?cor and mood, of an obscurely pleasurable terror, of the nostalgic melancholy of ruins and of remote times and places. Conventions familiar in Gothic narratives include a vulnerable/curious heroine, a wealthy/enigmatic hero/villain, and a grand, mysterious dwelling concealing violent secrets."

Tags:bronte, genre, ghost, moors, yorkshire, heathcliff, bertha, rochester, catharine, lockwood

Abstract
This paper explains that Charlotte Bronte in her novel "Jane Eyre" and Jean Rhys in her novel "Wide Sargasso Sea" tell the same story of humanity and monstrosity, sanity and madness, but the monsters are different. The author points out that Bronte comes from romanticism and Gothicism movements in literature; whereas, Rhys, generations later, reflexes modernism and surrealism. The paper relates that Bronte's madwoman, "beastly Bertha Mason", imprisoned in the attic, is described as unfeminine and inhumane, and example of how a Victorian lady ought not to behave. The author highlights that Jean Rhys tells a more complete story of "Bertha Mason" who in this story is really Antoinette, the first Mrs. Rochester. The paper states that, in this version, this character is not regarded as being a monster but rather is pitied. The author concludes that, in Rhys' novel, Mr. Rochester is the monstrosity because of his lack of humanity and compassion.

From the Paper
"It shouldn't go without saying, however, that some critics believe "Jane Eyre" was before it's time in its view of the humane and inhumane. It is believed that perhaps Charlotte Bronte, despite a Victorian upbringing, was making a statement about her society's expectation and marginalization of women. In "Jane Eyre", Bertha Mason, despite being described as physically frightening, ghastly and intimidating, is not described as being cruel to the protagonist, nor is she described as having inhumane personal qualities. In fact, it is quite the opposite."

Tags:victorian, surrealism, humane, inhumane, rochester

Abstract
This paper examines the striking similarities of the characters, Jane and Bertha in "Jane Eyre", and the underlying psychological messages Bronte places within the novel.

From the Paper
"Another example of how Bertha serves as an outlet for Jane's repressed emotion can be seen when Bertha rips Jane's veil in half. It is interesting to note how this scene occurs after Jane is forced to try on dresses, secretly resenting the fact that Rochester is dressing her like a doll. Later she tells him that she does not want to give up governessing after they are married. She tells him, "I will not be your English Celine Varens." These scenes indicate how Jane wants to marry but only on her own terms."

Tags:secret, wife, repressed, emotion, veil, marry, wedding, imagination, rochester, thornfield