exam 2 Flashcards
What are the basic biographical facts about Charlotte Brontë?
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) was an English novelist and poet. Had 2 other sisters, lived by a cemetary (gothic vibes)
Why was Jane Eyre published under a pseudonym?
Jane Eyre was published under the name ‘Currer Bell’ to mask Brontë’s identity as a woman, as societal biases often dismissed women writers.
What is the order of the stages in Jane Eyre’s journey?
Gateshead → Lowood School → Thornfield → Marsh End → Ferndean.
Gateshead: Jane’s harsh childhood with her aunt, Mrs. Reed.
Lowood: Experiences the struggles of a charity school with nasty food/ugly dresses.
Thornfield: Governess meets Rochester, affairs of the heart, discovery of bertha mason as wife
Marsh End: Lives with the Rivers siblings after leaving Thornfield and discovers they are her cousins.
Ferndean: Reunites with and marries Mr. Rochester.
What are the characteristics of Rochester as a Byronic hero?
Rochester is a “plain” heroine (rugged & not conventionally handsome), Byronic bad boy, has a dark past (mistress), sexual energy, wealthy,
What is notable about Jane’s inner monologues and her addresses to the reader?
she fosters an intimate connection and conveys her personal dilemmas.
inner monologue ex. her struggle to balance her deep love for Rochester with her moral values and self-respect.
addresses to reader: she opens the final chapter by saying, “Reader, I married him.”
How does Jane navigate her feelings for Rochester?
Jane grapples with her intense love for Rochester while upholding her self-respect and moral values, ultimately refusing to compromise her principles.
How does the novel reflect or challenge Victorian gender norms?
The novel challenges gender norms by portraying Jane as an independent and assertive woman, yet it also reflects them through the resolution of her romantic relationship.
Who are the main characters in The Importance of Being Earnest?
Jack Worthing, Algernon Moncrieff, Gwendolen Fairfax, Cecily Cardew, Lady Bracknell, Miss Prism, Rev. Chasuble.
Who is really named Ernest?
Jack Worthing discovers by the end of the play that ‘Ernest’ is his true birth name.
What or who is ‘Bunbury’?
Bunbury is Algernon’s fictional invalid friend, created as an excuse to escape social obligations.
What are the basic features of Wilde’s ‘Comedies of Society’?
Satirical, witty dialogue; explores social norms; employs paradox and humor to critique gender, class, and societal expectations.
What are the basic facts about aestheticism and the ‘Art for art’s sake’ movement?
Aestheticism celebrated beauty over moral or practical purposes in art. The ‘Art for art’s sake’ philosophy emphasized art as self-justifying.
How does The Importance of Being Earnest reflect or challenge Victorian norms of gender and class?
The play satirizes Victorian norms by exposing the absurdities of rigid class structures and gender roles through humor and exaggerated characters.
ex. mom caring about where he lives, careless to lose both parents
What are the basic facts about Mary Seacole’s biography?
Mary Seacole (1805–1881) was a Jamaican/Scottish nurse and entrepreneur (set up british hotel & nurses british soldiers) who gained fame for her work during the Crimean War. She was of mixed-race heritage and faced racial prejudice.
What happened when Mary Seacole met up with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea?
Seacole offered her services to Nightingale’s team, but her help was declined. She went on to independently care for soldiers by establishing the ‘British Hotel.’
What are the basic facts about the Crimean War?
The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought between Russia and an alliance including Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire. It is known for poor conditions for soldiers and the emergence of modern nursing.
How does Seacole’s autobiography reflect or challenge Victorian gender norms and imperial biases?
Her autobiography challenges Victorian norms by highlighting her independence, entrepreneurial spirit, and active role in a traditionally male-dominated sphere. She also critiques imperial biases by showing her unique perspective as a mixed-race woman. Takes up stereotypes of angel in the house and motherhood/womanhood in a way that also allows her to be a globetrotter
How does Seacole overcome challenges and invite the reader’s interest in her story?
Through humor, vivid storytelling, and resilience, Seacole draws readers in while sharing her struggles and triumphs, creating an engaging and inspirational narrative.
Bildungsroman
A coming-of-age novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.
Realist Novel
depicts everyday life and society with accuracy, avoiding romanticism & sensationalism (oscar wilde)
Sensation Fiction
adultery, distressing secrets, sensory experience, disruption in commonplace, designed to excite/shock reader
disturb the domestic, household sphere
- ex. jane eyre
Gothic Novel
genre characterized by dark, mysterious settings, supernatural elements, and themes of horror or romance
autobiography
author recounts their own life experiences (seacole, jane eyre sorta)
Comedy of Manners
type of play or narrative that satirizes the customs and behaviors of a specific social class, often with wit and irony
Satire
genre that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique and expose societal flaws or individuals’ vices
Bunburying
A term from The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, referring to creating a fictitious persona or excuse to escape social obligations
