by Lanae

Created on: September 20, 2009   Last Updated: September 21, 2009

IDENTIFYING HISTORICAL GENDER BIAS IN JANE EYRE

Gender bias and stereotyping are both issues which are commonly associated with early women's rights movements. These topics may cause one to recall marches, rallies and protests which were waged among women and other minority and misrepresented groups looking to gain common rights and equality in and around the 1960's. However, it is obvious from a tale written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847, that this gender bias and stereotypical treatment was not behavior that was developed or confined to the boundaries of America in the 1960's, but typical behavior; ingrained in human society dating back a great many centuries. It is apparent through the novel Jane Eyre that gender biases as well as other forms of stereotyping have been commonplace problems dating back generations. While all ages have continued to hold a prejudice against women, modern society typically discriminates against a particular race or nationality while former generations tended to oppress lower social classes and those who are orphaned.

There are many forms of gender bias; ranging anywhere from a greater preference or obvious favoritism, or privilege given to males in the workplace or classroom to an entire cultures devaluation of women as the inferior sex as is the case in India or many other countries. Modern society describes the world as one in which American women are still slightly behind men as far as equality is concerned. According to the Highlights of Women's Earnings in 2001 found through the U.S Department of Labor Statistics, full time, working women are still making less than their male counterparts. According to a recent study by the US Department of Labor, women are making only 76% of what their male counterparts are making in full time employment positions. The 76% is up from 63% in 1979. Also, the median weekly earnings for a woman are $511 compared to $672 for men. (http://stats.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2001.pdf)

As far as the rest of the world is concerned, America is attempting to renovate other countries, like India and Islam who view women as inferior and as second class citizens and is attempting to give them similar rights and freedoms that are shared by men and women here in the U.S.

In the novel Jane Eyre, Jane is approached by a man, Mr. Brocklehurst who claims to do be a man solely dedicated to the work of god. In one encounter, this man of god places judgments on Jane of a religious fashion, deeming her to be inherently evil.

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