"Haunted by Passion: Supernaturalism and Feminism in Jane Eyre and Villete"

Theses: “The treatment of supernaturalism in Jane Eyre and Villette reveals a great deal about expectations for women in Bronte's time.”

Necessary Background: “This repression manifests itself in the form of mysterious figures that haunt both novels. The aggressive and animalistic Bertha Mason represents Jane's buried passion.”
“Jane and Lucy conceal their passion in order to get by in male dominated society. In Bronte's time, outspoken and aggressive women were generally considered to be unacceptable and unladylike. The ideal woman was calm, quiet, and submissive. Powerful women were often viewed as threatening. The supernatural figures associated with the female protagonists in both novels are robbed of their mysterious allure. Like Jane and Lucy, they are stripped of their power.”

Works Cited: Lorber, Laurel P., "Haunted by Passion: Supernaturalism and Feminism in Jane Eyre and Villete", Dissertations and Theses. (2013): 4-39