Thursday, January 30, 2020
Effects of Television as Mass Media on Children of 10 Years Essay Example for Free
Effects of Television as Mass Media on Children of 10 Years Essay Introduction Mass media is a collective term that refers to all the media technologies whose sole intention is reaching a vast audience through mass communication. There are two major categories of mass media, which are, broadcast media and print media. Transmission of information by broadcast media is via electronic means while transmission of information by print media is via physical means. Broadcast media comprise of radio, film, CDs, television, and many more. Print media comprise of magazines, newspapers, newsletters, leaflets, books, pamphlets and brochures. â€Å"Effect†is a term that refers to something produced by a cause. It can also be referred to as a consequence. This research paper seeks to investigate both positive and negative effects of mass media on children. Possible solutions to address or mitigate the negative effects of mass media will also be highlighted. Differential Effects of Mass Media on Children The mass media, particularly, broadcast media, significantly affects childhood development in that, it provides information-seeking and modeling opportunities outside school and family. It has been estimated that the average American child watches more than 20, 000 television commercials annually. According to statistical data collected in the year 2000, children aged between the ages of two and five spent 40 hours watching television on a weekly basis. Those between six to eleven years spent 50 to 60 hours weekly watching television. These findings clearly show that mass media plays an essential life in shaping a child’s beliefs, behaviors and attitudes (Bento, 2004). Among the key manifestation of the negative effects that media has on children is their declining lifestyle quality and changing mental set up. Instead of investing their time in studying, reading good books, engaging in social activities, and exercising, children choose to spend their evenings watching movies or glued to the television sets. With increasing technological advancement, the Internet can easily be accessed, even by small children. This exposes such children to things that they do not necessarily need to know and may not understand. The reading culture is gradually fading and substituted by mass media. This poses a negative effect on school performance as well as learning problems. Children are increasingly reporting low academic grades and problems in learning due to overindulgence in mass media (Matthew Jesse, 2008) Food advertising in broadcast media such as televisions has been linked to rising cases of childhood obesity. There is a strong relationship between an increase in non-nutritious food advertising and childhood obesity. It is extremely hard for children below the age of six to differentiate between advertising and programming. Those below the age of eight do not comprehend the fact that the main intention of advertising is to persuade the audience to purchase a given product. Therefore, non-nutritious or junk food advertising directed to children may turn out to be exploitative. A single commercial exposure can go a long way in influencing product references among children. Additionally, the remarkable ability of children to remember the content from various advertisements increases their likelihood to indulge in unhealthy eating habits such as over-consumption of unhealthy fast foods, which results to heightened rates of childhood obesity (Munni Ram, 2010). Body image problems and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa are also directly linked to mass media. This is especially the case with teenage girls. The mass media ads portray models with unrealistic images. More often than not, the models appear to have extremely thin waists and figures that are unattainable. In the attempt to look like the models seen in televisions, teenage girls may starve themselves and even develop unhealthy eating habits such as binging. This results to development of eating disorder. Mass media tends to dictate various aspects including the ideal image or the definition of beauty. Children blindly imitate the glamour models portrayed in mass media without being careful enough to differentiate between wrong and right. Several young girls have developed self-esteem issues due to failure to match up to the image and beauty standards dictated by the media (Page Evra, 2004). A negative effect of mass media that is worth noting is with respect to sexuality. Mass media may prompt children to engage in sexual activities at an early age. Research has indicated that children are exposed to approximately 14, 000 sexual references annually in televisions. Out of these references, only 150 of them address issues of abstinence, sexual responsibility, or contraception (Preiss, 2007). This implies that sex is portrayed as a fun activity, which prompts children to have an urge to try it out. Overexposure to sexual content in videos, games and television programming is strongly linked to increasing rates of teen pregnancies. A similar case applies to substance abuse, which is highly depicted in movies that children watch. Out of curiosity, such children begin trying out different illegal drugs and substances seen in media sources. Positive Social Effects of Mass Media Despite the mentioned negative effects, there are a number of positive social effects of mass media on children. Mass media plays a major role in enhancing positive child development. For instance, various educational programs aired in televisions may serve to increase children’s knowledge and understanding of various life aspects. Positive role models portrayed in the mass media can also serve as a positive social developmental tool for children and young adults. Qualitative research studies have shown that one way in which televisions enhance development in children is portraying positive role models of collaboration and development as a responsible manner of acting (Preiss, 2007). It is therefore evident that televisions can serve as a means learning of positive reinforcement in children. Mass media has also played a major role in enhancing socialization among children. With advanced technology, children can easily access the internet, which is a major socialization tool. The internet serves as an effective means of communication among individuals regardless of their geographical locations. The internet can also serve as a good source of knowledge on various aspects. By using search engines such as Google, children can increase their knowledge and understanding of various subjects learnt in school. The internet provides a vast range of information on various topics and fields of study. Therefore, it is an excellent research tool that can be utilized positively by students (Munni, 2010). Mass media programs can serve as a means of minimizing the effects of stereotyping among children. These programs often portray cast members from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. Hence, children learn to appreciate cultural diversity from a tender age. Mass media therefore serves a means of increasing the preparedness of children for adolescence. Constructive utilization of mass media can play a significant role in helping children and young adults to learn socially appropriate means if solving conflicts, knowing their rights and protection from harm. Mass media can also serve as a tool for promoting health lifestyles and eating habits in children (Page, 2004). Possible Solutions Parental control is one of the possible solutions to preventing the negative influence of mass media on children. Parents should take charge of the content that is accessible to their kids. They should prevent their kid from watching programs aimed at promoting violence, substance abuse as well as those containing sexually explicit content. One workable way is switching off the television or changing channels during certain programming and adverts that are meant to exploit children. Parents should help their children understand the difference that exists between actual reality and fantasy world. This is especially with respect to images and beauty expectations dictated by the mass media. Parents should let their children know the essence of loving oneself and appreciating oneself. This is a good step toward helping such kids to build on their self-esteem and confidence (Debra, 2003). Practitioners should conduct research and provide relevant empirical evidence showing the impact that mass media has on increasing the rate of childhood obesity. Laying emphasis on this subject will shed light on different kinds of advertising and try to limit those that encourage consumption of unhealthy foods. In addition to practitioners, researchers also have an important role to play. There is the need for conducting further research on the negative consequences of mass media and how to combat them. Research should also focus on ways of promoting the positive contribution of mass media to a child’s social development (Bento, 2004). Rather than letting children invest most of their time watching television and other media platforms, schools should encourage children to do assignments or further study during their free time. They should also be encouraged to take part in co-curricular activities such as games. The entertainment industry should be careful of the content that it portrays to the audience. With the help of the government, it would be possible to censure some of the programming and advertisements that pose negative effects on children. Rather than just focusing on persuasion and the profits that would be generated from products, the advertising industry should play the role of promoting adverts that lead to constructive developments. The adverts promoted should result to healthy lifestyles in children (Berulava, 2010). It is therefore evident that different stakeholders including parents, school, the government and even the entertainment industry, have a fundamental role to play in preventing the negative effects that media poses on children. The government and policy makers should work toward implementation of policies that put restrictions and control to the time specific content should be aired in broadcast media sources such as televisions. A good suggestion is for programs that contain violence or sexual content to be aired late at night when children are already asleep (Kirsh, 2006). Conclusion Childhood development is significantly affected by mass media. With advanced technology, children are continually exposed to thousands of television commercials and even sexual references. Some of the negative effects of mass media include poor performance, early onset of sex, substance abuse, and violence. Mass media may also have positive effects such as increasing knowledge and enhancing positive social development in children. Parents, government, advertising industry, practitioners, researchers, and the entertainment industry have a major role to play in prevention and management of the effects of mass media on children. References Bento, J. (2004) Meditating the negative effects of mass media on children. Seattle: Antioch University Publishers Berulava, M. N. (2010) The Nation is in Danger. Russian Education and Society, 52(3), 30-36 Debra, M. (2003) Questioning the media and reclaiming our sacred space. Paths of Learning, 15, 24 Fink, G. (2010) Stress of War, Conflict and Disaster. California: Elsevier Publications Kirsh, S. (2006) Children, adolescents, and media violence. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc Matthew, G., Jesse, S. (2008) Preschool television viewing and adolescent test scores: historical evidence from the Coleman study. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(1), 279-323 Munni, R., Ram, K. (2010) Effect of electronic media on children. Indian Pediatrics, 47(7), 561-568 Page, J., Evra, V. (2004) Television and child development. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Preiss, R. (2007) Mass media effects research; advances through meta-analysis. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Blacks and Whites in Movies Essay -- essays research papers
The object of this paper is to portray the role of African Americans and Whites in modern contemporary films. It is evident that there has been a great deal of effort in the integration of black people into American society. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has strived to undo the ties of segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. The NAACP has used several strategies to overturn segregation rules and obtain suffrage for black citizens. With the introduction of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s, the motto â€Å"We shall overcome’ served as inspiration for the fight against segregation. Although much effort has been made to integrate black people into society over the years, there still exists significant segregation with respect to roles in motion pictures and modern film. However, great advancements have been made in recent years to overcome this struggle to equally include African Americans in the wealth and success of the media culture. With the recent surge of technological advancement and media industry, the black role has simultaneously advanced. The African American history of struggle, misrepresentation, and segregation has been the theme of many modern movies, music, and television shows. African Americans are taking advantage of this opportunity to represent the African American culture, even though it serves to explain their historical oppression and misfortune and not of their success and well-being. They are turning a negative history into a positive career and future. Approximately eighty years ago, it was only a thought that African Americans should indeed make movies and appear in the big screen alongside white actors and actresses. Today this dream is now reality. The road to making motion pictures with the inclusion of African Americans has been evolutionary on all levels with lots of observable changes. The movie industry has become more willing to produce new themes an d films featuring African Americans as stars.      The advancement of African Americans in the movie industry has become evident with their recent accolades in film roles and production. The Oscars present a golden statuette to a person in recognition of their achievements in the filmmaking industry. History was made in 2001 when African Americans won in both the Best Actor and Best Actress categ... ...bsp;Train- white lady stares at them- sara and Derek purposely make a scene for a reaction †¢Ã‚     Sara ends it with Derek †¢Ã‚     Sara makes Julliard †¢Ã‚     Happy ending with Sara and Derek Guess Who- Kevin Rodney Sulliven- 2005 Ashton Kutcher- Simon Bernie Mac- Percy Zoe Saldana- Theresa Judith Scott- Marilyn †¢Ã‚     Simon –white, Theresa- black, engaged †¢Ã‚     Cranford- NJ- meet the parents †¢Ã‚     Don’t know that Simon is white †¢Ã‚     Confuse black taxi driver and simon †¢Ã‚     Shocked- Percy doesn’t like him †¢Ã‚     Theresa tries to talk to the mom about it †¢Ã‚     Percy shares bed with Simon †¢Ã‚     Racial statements †¢Ã‚     Percy and Simon drive women away †¢Ã‚     Help each other-begin a relationship †¢Ã‚     Happy ending.                     Blacks and Whites in Movies Essay -- essays research papers The object of this paper is to portray the role of African Americans and Whites in modern contemporary films. It is evident that there has been a great deal of effort in the integration of black people into American society. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has strived to undo the ties of segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. The NAACP has used several strategies to overturn segregation rules and obtain suffrage for black citizens. With the introduction of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s, the motto â€Å"We shall overcome’ served as inspiration for the fight against segregation. Although much effort has been made to integrate black people into society over the years, there still exists significant segregation with respect to roles in motion pictures and modern film. However, great advancements have been made in recent years to overcome this struggle to equally include African Americans in the wealth and success of the media culture. With the recent surge of technological advancement and media industry, the black role has simultaneously advanced. The African American history of struggle, misrepresentation, and segregation has been the theme of many modern movies, music, and television shows. African Americans are taking advantage of this opportunity to represent the African American culture, even though it serves to explain their historical oppression and misfortune and not of their success and well-being. They are turning a negative history into a positive career and future. Approximately eighty years ago, it was only a thought that African Americans should indeed make movies and appear in the big screen alongside white actors and actresses. Today this dream is now reality. The road to making motion pictures with the inclusion of African Americans has been evolutionary on all levels with lots of observable changes. The movie industry has become more willing to produce new themes an d films featuring African Americans as stars.      The advancement of African Americans in the movie industry has become evident with their recent accolades in film roles and production. The Oscars present a golden statuette to a person in recognition of their achievements in the filmmaking industry. History was made in 2001 when African Americans won in both the Best Actor and Best Actress categ... ...bsp;Train- white lady stares at them- sara and Derek purposely make a scene for a reaction †¢Ã‚     Sara ends it with Derek †¢Ã‚     Sara makes Julliard †¢Ã‚     Happy ending with Sara and Derek Guess Who- Kevin Rodney Sulliven- 2005 Ashton Kutcher- Simon Bernie Mac- Percy Zoe Saldana- Theresa Judith Scott- Marilyn †¢Ã‚     Simon –white, Theresa- black, engaged †¢Ã‚     Cranford- NJ- meet the parents †¢Ã‚     Don’t know that Simon is white †¢Ã‚     Confuse black taxi driver and simon †¢Ã‚     Shocked- Percy doesn’t like him †¢Ã‚     Theresa tries to talk to the mom about it †¢Ã‚     Percy shares bed with Simon †¢Ã‚     Racial statements †¢Ã‚     Percy and Simon drive women away †¢Ã‚     Help each other-begin a relationship †¢Ã‚     Happy ending.                    Â
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Should Alcohol Drinking Age Be Decreased of Increased?
Should alcohol drinking age be decreased of increased? In my opinion it should be decreased because if we are classified as an adult and we are allowed to get married and etc. Why are we not allowed to drink. Lowering the drinking age would teach kids how to be more responsible at a younger age. If kids are just cut off from things, they are just going to find a way around it anyway. Kids just need to learn to do things in moderation. Because unfortunate, adults aren't responsible with alcohol either.Maybe if they were not taught that drinking was a â€Å"rebel†thing at a young age we wouldn't have so many alcoholics or so many kids over doing it at parties. People use alcohol for numerous reasons; peer pressure, celebration, anxiety, sadness, boredom, rebellion and insomnia are just a few. Teens fall under the category of â€Å"people†. The legal drinking age is currently twenty-one, but illegally drinking age is as low as zero. Why? Is the main question asked? I can assure you the underage drinking age percentage would drop if the age is lowered.Few reasons for teens drinking are: peer pressure, enjoyment, etc. But the main reason for doing so is â€Å"breaking the law†. 87 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. That means that a large quantity of teens under the age of seventeen to eighteen have used alcohol before. We all know why teens drink, I mean is common since. Just the feel that they get of breaking the law is huge. Being rebel and not following the rules is an important role of a teen’s life.Consequences are the one that change them, but we don’t want them to experience the consequences of being under the influence of alcohol because we know them and they are fatal. Dying in a car accident and killing others is a mess that we don’t want to clean. Despite the fact that is illegal for young teens to purchase it, they are able to get it through their parent’s own liquor cabinets, unscrupulous store clerks, or older friends who purchase it for them. As we all see, is not hard for teens to obtain alcohol. Why not lower the drinking age then?I mean any way you put it, they are getting it. We have all heard of the famous saying â€Å"we want you to join the military and protect your country. †Well, you are telling me that I can legally kill someone at the age of eighteen, while I sign up with the military and go to war but I can’t have a sip of alcohol. Due to this none senseless situation, age should be equaled. In other words, if voting and military sign up is eighteen, then drinking should also be eighteen. Besides at the age of eighteen you are legally an adult.Why can’t we drink then? Drinking age in Australia is eighteen, and in UK is as low as sixteen in restaurants. Studies have showed that those teens/adults are perfectly fine. In fact, Dr. Ruth Engs; professor of Applied Health Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, uses this examples to propose the following: â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦the drinking age be lowered to about 18 or 19 and permit those of legal age to consume in socially controlled environment such as restaurants and official school and university functions†(direct quote from Dr.Engs). Drinking age should be lowered, and I know that by lowering it we can drop the percentage of reckless teen alcohol abusers. It is worth trying it , and if everything goes the opposite then change the law once more which is done lots of times, for dumb reasons and raise the drinking age back to twenty-one. Changes are always good most of the times, and I know this one in particular is an excellent one.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Feminism Through The Dual Voice of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 3004 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/04/22 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Jane Eyre Essay Did you like this example? Eyre is a critique of gender roles, during the early Victorian era. Bront clearly reveals her feminist voice before the first wave of the feminist movement, which took place in the late 19th century. Bront critiques gender roles with the binary appeal of the female and male main and secondary characters, throughout this work. During the early Victorian Era, the world was starting to change at an exponential rate. Traditional values, while still intact, became more flexible and education was slowing being integrated into the landscape of society, as a whole. England was moving forward with women taking on additional roles, in life. More and more, were they taking jobs outside of the home and increasing their literacy rates. The first wave of the feminist movement didnt occur in England, until the late 19th century, however the aforementioned factors served as small cracks in the glass ceiling, that propelled the idea forward. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Feminism Through The Dual Voice of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre" essay for you Create order Charlotte Bront, wrote in a time when female writers were not taken seriously, much less published. In 1847, under the pseudonym, Currer Bell, Jane Eyre was publicly released, depicting a downtrodden girl, who becomes a heroine, of her own life. Orphaned, beaten, despised, and suppressed, Jane develops a grit that allows her to triumph, through adversity. She is a character who presents a vast amount of complex understanding, at too young an age to comprehend, which forces us to look at the voice of the author, who is speaking through Jane to present a different and stronger picture of what it means, to be a woman. There is a feeling that Bront is very much trying to reach out to her audience, with a feminist agenda. Many times, she calls out the reader in a surprising manner, as if she is speaking, to the audience, directly. For example, she writes, Reader, though I look comfortably accommodated, I am not very tranquil in my mind. Also, You are not to suppose, reader, that Adele has all this time been sitting motionless on the stool at my feet and Reader, I forgave him at the moment and on the spot. Throughout the text Bront calls us out and reminds us that she is the voice. Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bront are the same person. Although the storyline is fictitious, the grit and gumption are seamless, between author and character. Charlotte Bront, by her perseverance in publishing her work in a male dominated industry and world was a fighter, just like Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bront goes even further, by inserting the idea that her work, is an autobiography, even though Jane Eyre is fictitious. There is a psychological strategy to this purposeful act. As opposed to fiction, readers naturally associate autobiographies with reality and have a greater ability to relate to the content. They humanize its characters and apply aspects of the storyline, to their own world. Bronts goal was to elevate the role of women in regular society, giving them more meaning and dimension, by writing a work that was unlike many before. Unlike the expectation for women to fit a certain mold, Jane Eyre is neither polite, docile, nor gentle. It is revealing, abrupt, scandalous, and strong. As we delve into Jane Eyres character, she proves to be an unusually strong willed and independent individual. She is very introspective and thoughtful in a way that is unexpected, especially, as a 9 year old child. After her time in the red room, Jane laments, Children can feel, but they cannot analyze their feelings; and if the analysis is partially effected in thought, they know not how to express the result of the process in words. This is a complex cognitive and emotional observation, too mature for Jane, but not for Bront. It may also have been an uncommon idea among society. Not until more modern times, have we gained the knowledge and personal power to explore emotional intelligence, of this nature. It is quite surprising and refreshing to see when this idea is pondered during a time of propriety and survival. From the beginning of the novel she has a penchant for fighting back and not mincing words. When cousin John attacks her in the library, Jane shouts Wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murderer you are like a slave-driver you are like the Roman emperors! Her words are cutting and conjures images of a fascist oppressor or a predator, lurking in the dark. It also gives us an idea of the treachery, that is indicative of John Reed. Not only is his patriarchal and abusive attitude evident, but even more important, is Janes refusal to cower to the idea. Further, she is intent on not being a victim, If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way; they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. This is i mportant because Jane, lived 9 years, in an abusive home, where the spiteful matriarch makes a point of excluding and demeaning her. Jane has no allies at Gateshead, other than Bessie, who displays a degree of compassion for her, but does not have the status to advocate on her behalf. The circumstances at Gateshead, would naturally break Janes spirit. When an infant, who becomes a child, is deprived of loving care and support, it should produce an insecure and feckless character. Janes ability to rise above these dismal circumstances, gives us a picture of her resolve and non-conforming attitude, in a situation where the odds are against her. The cruelty suffered at the hands of the Reeds is seldom met with passivity. Jane contemplates, A ridge of lighted heath, alive, glancing, devouring, would have been a meet emblem of my mind when I accused and menaced Mrs. Reed: the same ridge black and blasted after the flames are dead, would have represented as meetly my subsequent condition. This is a powerful idea of the rage and anger that Bront represents in a series of adjectives describing Janes state of mind. Like a dragon that is alighted and ready to contend with its enemy, burning her down to a crisp. All that is left are blackened, charred remains. It is a quick and glorious attack, however, the effects are bleak and exhausting. There was some satisfaction to be had, but the price for Janes passion, is moot. It does not change her relationship with her aunt, but rather justifies to Mrs. Reed, her treatment of Jane. Regardless, Jane speaks up against Mrs. Reed again, after being mischaracterized to Mr. Brocklehurst, I am glad you are no relation of mine: I will never call you aunt for as long as I live. I will never come see you when I am grown up; and if anyone asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty People think you a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted. You are deceitful! There are no reparations to be had in this relationship, but Jane confirms to Mrs. Reed that her behavior is not acceptable. This passage is more contentious to Mrs. Reed, as she expresses some fear in the potential of her reputation tarnished, if Jane actually repeats this to anyone in good society. Most of the women in this work, with the exception of the Reeds, are on the protagonistic side of the spectrum, falling in line with Bronts pro-woman agenda. Bertha Mason, although a dark figure in the storyline, is an anomaly. As a natural antagonist, if only a vehicle to portray Rochesters deceitfulness, is depicted as a character of strength. Her physical stature is comparable to that of Rochesters, so much that handling her is a challenge. She was a big woman, in stature almost equalizing her husband, and corpulent besides: she showed virile force in the contest more than once she almost throttled him, athletic as he was. Bertha is not a little secret to be hidden in the tower. She is a brawny, menacing character, who has the ability to damage men, as she almost kills Rochester and her own brother, Richard Mason. It is presumed that Bertha escapes and causes the final fire, that incinerates Thornfield Hall and critically wounds, Rochester. The message comes across that a woman, is not be silenced and hidden away. She will be heard, regardless, of what a man tries to do, to ignore her existence. The undertones of Bronts female characters more often depict strength whether in mind or body. Examples include Helen Burns, Miss Temple, Celine Varens, Diana Rivers, and Mary Rivers. Helen Burns, the intelligent, pious friend who plays a key role in Janes stay at Lowood School, possesses a stoic resolve that allows her to endure the circumstances of her environment and meanness displayed towards her, by Mrs. Scratcherd. Miss Temple, the compassionate head mistress, who makes a strong effort to undermine Mr. Brockelhursts charge, to deprive the girls of any compassion and comfort. Celine Varens, although, her morals are tenuous, displays the characteristics of an aggressor who takes advantage of Rochester. Women being duplicitous, existed, however it wasnt always acknowledged due to the negative connotation for men. Diana and Mary Rivers, educated, benevolent wome n resonate with Janes intellect. The remainder of the tertiary female characters, such as Blanche Ingram, Mrs. Fairfax, Grace Poole, and Adele Varens, although not all together instrumental, are benign, at best. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the male characters of Jane Eyre are overall, unlikeable. Bront presents these characters in such a way that uplifts the female, in comparison, in readers eyes. She starts with John Reed, whose attitude towards his family, is very patriarchal, spoiled and entitled. Ultimately, this is presented only to be overcome by Jane, in the immediate, when she stands up to him, striking him and later, through his untimely death from living a life of excess, destroying his mother and the familys wealth. Although, Jane has no direct hand in his death, the trajectory of his storyline displays the insignificance of his existence and the degradation of his end. Edward Rochester, Janes love interest, is ambivalent and rude. He does not endear himself , while constantly mentioning Janes subordinate position and size, at times referring to her as an elf. While she is an employee, she did not have the inclination that Rochester was her better. In fact, she was and viewed herself as his intellectual equal. Throughout the text, Bront counters Rochesters perception of Janes intellect and size. I could still meet him his argument without fear or uneasy restraint, this suited both him and me. When the couple interacts, it is on a level field. For example she says, I was honoured by the cordiality of reception that made me feel I really possessed the power to amuse him, and that these evening conferences were sought as much for his pleasure as for my benefit. Also, I felt as if he was my relation rather than my master: yet he was imperious somethings still; but I did not mind that; I saw it was his way. Jane is his employee, subordinate, yet sh e describes his ways as imperious; superiority that is unjustified. Finally, the famous line that captures readers, encompasses Janes feeling and strength, Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. Jane Eyre is human and full of emotion and complexity. She is more than a governess to Rochesters ward. This declaration serves a dual purpose. First, it is a climax in the dialogue between Jane and Rochester, before he reveals that she is the one he wants, not Blanche Ingram. Secondly, it gives the reader the notion that Jane Eyre is a multi dimensional human being, as are women in general. This is indicative of the dual levels of communication throughout this work, what we see on the surface to advance the plot and the deeper i nferences about gender, that can be taken away. St. John Rivers, encountered during Janes destitution, could be viewed as a benevolent savior, who rescues her from the brink of death. As the story progresses, he becomes manipulative, annoying and selfish. He believes that the only way for Jane to become anything worthwhile, is through him. When he is attempting to gain her approval to marry, he says, Through my means, He opens to you a noble career; as my wife only can you enter up on it. Refuse to be my wife, and you limit yourself for ever to a track of selfish ease and barren obscurity. Not only in this instance, but the banter occurs multiple times where he will not allow her to go on his mission on her terms, only his. When she continues to refuse his marriage proposal, he becomes passive aggressive and manipulating. For example, I read well in his iron silence all he felt towards me: the disappointment of an austere and despotic nature, which has met resistance where it expected submission the disapprobation of a cool, in flexible judgement, which has detected in another feelings and views which it has not power to sympathize: in short, as a man, he would have wished to coerce me into obedience. It is quite effective, as Jane is troubled by this behavior and feels very cast off. It is understandable with her history of abuse, to desire to be in a position to please St. John and remain among people who love and care for her. She has never had a real family prior to this and is desperate to fall in with a group of people, who can reciprocate her kindness and compassion. His cold and stoic punishment is very damaging to Jane. She laments, when St. John ignores her and would not acknowledge her with a good night kiss, I who, though I had no love, had much friendship for him was hurt by the marked omission: so much hurt that tears started to my eyes. He is emotionally void, which is very hurtful to Jane, who is quite passionate in nature. No happy reconciliation was to be had with him no cheering smile or generous word: but still the Christian was patient and placid; and when I asked him if he forgave me, he answered that he was not in the habit of cherishing the remembrance of vexation; that he had nothing to forgive, not having been offended. And with that answer he left me. I would much rather he had knocked me down. St. John is terribly rigid, non compassionate and immature. The constant dialogue about his proposal is frustrating and exhausting to the reader, as he is unrelenting about forcing Jane in to a situation, for which she has no heart. The architecture of Charlotte Bronts complete cast of characters, clearly shows the female influence as superior to that of its counterpart. Ultimately, Jane finally finds happiness when Rochester is in a compromised situation, blind and maimed. This seems to be Bronts final strike down of a male character, in particular, one who has a tendency of conceit and pride. It may have been more generous of her to allow Jane and Rochester to continue their relationship on equal footing, as was the case, before Jane left Thornfield Hall. Instead, Jane, upon returning, is truly independent, with a fortune of her own. Bront brings a new sense of humility, changing the dynamic between the two, as Rochester is now, the dependent. It is more than a role reversal, it is a statement. In order to make the strongest pro-woman statement, Jane has to be the heroine of her own life, completely independent of Rochester. He deceived and compromised her honor, for which he receives the ultimate punishmen t, by Bronts pen. Although Jane goes to him, it is by her free will and he has no hold, financial, emotional or otherwise that could be leveraged, to return her to a subordinate position. Bront makes this very clear. Charlotte Bront wanted a voice, where she did not have one, without Currer Bell. We continually see authors, poets, musicians, and philosophers, who bring forth ideas that are launched forward into society, as evidenced by the resonance of their work. These are the critical thinkers of our world, who plant ideas, evoking emotion, thought and understanding. Art, literary or otherwise, is the seed of our humanity, our avenue for exploring meaning and connection. Charlotte Bront connected with Victorian society and communicated the notion of outdated and oftentimes, unfair gender roles. It continues to resonate today. After all, writers write, to challenge society to read, listen, think, and perhaps change. In 1847, Jane Eyre, made a crack in the glass ceiling that has culminated with so many others, into the fight that women continue to endure, today. The feminist ideal persists and will sustain, as long as there is gender inequality and injustice. In our current political environment that we find ourselves, I hope women will continue to stand up and follow Jane Eyres example, to strike back at the proverbial murderers, slave drivers and Roman Emperors, especially when they come in the form of an orange apparition and its deplorables. God knows, we need to do the legacy of Charlotte Bront justice and light it up, burn down the house, like a chapter out of Bertha Masons playbook.
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