Marriages of Convenience in Charlotte Brontë's Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, and The Professor

Ralph OBANDJA BOYO, Basile Marius NGASSAKI
2019 Zenodo  
The accession of Queen Victoria to the throne of England in 1837 gave birth to a period of stability in the country. The advent of democracy, popular education, urbanization transformed the country into a desirable place to live. However, these advancements constituted the tip of the iceberg. The Victorian society was a deviant one due to class ideology. Materially based marriage for example, were the manifestation of such an iniquitous system. In her four novels, Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette
more » ... d The Professor, Charlotte Brontë acrimoniously criticizes money-driven matrimonies. Thus, this article aims to examine the socio-economic effects of such mercenary unions not only on the suitors, but also on the partners.
doi:10.5281/zenodo.6568656 fatcat:laq4f3crsrcvtlds2lo7tgpngy