Bertha Mason

Comparison between Bertha and Jane

Do Bertha's features highlights aspects of society?

Why is Bertha such an important character?

How is she described in the novel?

Who is she?

The figure of the mentally insane woman in "Jane Austen"

Extract from the chapter 26

"What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight, tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal: but it was covered with clothing, and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a mane, hid its head and face".

• Excluded from society if they did not conform to it;
• Trapped in their unhappy marriage;
• Society’s prejudices against non-western people;

• Repress their feelings

BERTHA MASON

Bertha Antonietta Mason was Edward Rochester's first wife. She is the daughter of a rich family living in Jamaica and described as being of creole origin on her mother’s side. Mr Rochester, after he was persuaded by his father, married her only because of her wealth and beauty so theirs was an arranged marriage.

Jane and Bertha represent the two faces of the female experience in Victorian society. While Jane embodies the ideal of feminine virtue and morality, Bertha serves as a reminder of the consequences of societal oppression and marginalization.

All her behavior, like the responsibility of setting fire to thornfield hall, entering jane’s room and tearing her wedding veil, probably reflect her anger toward her arranged marriage. After setting fire to thornfield hall she killed herself jumping off the roof. This final act depicts her madness and even a claim of her independence. To Sum up, Bertha's presence highlights the fears related to female independence, but also to criticize the social structures that lead to her condition.