The Analysis of Female Social Position in Literature

商秩瑄

Female social position is always a topic and many people are fighting for the right of female.We will so the unequal position of women in the literature.

1 Women in Harry Potter

1.1 The introduction of Harry Potter

The famous novel Harry Potter has been adapt for film.It is so fashionable that become critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide.The series has also had some share of criticism，including concern for the increasingly dark tone.And also this series of films include many characters.Every character has different disposition.They are colorful and vivid.Everyone has a own psyche.In Gestalt psychology， we need a film like the one that can be analyzed.The unconsciousness of sexism or the absence of challenges against traditional gender ideology in Harry Potter calls for a feminism reconsideration of its significance beyond the sense of children reading stories.

1.2 Women be treated by an unequal way in the magical world

In the magical world，It seems that women be treated by equal way as the men.When we read the story again and again.We can find that we are totally wrong.Women be treated unequally.They are always in the behind of the men.Secondary social position may be the place for women.They can not own their rights and power.they are never in charge in their own right or on their own terms；instead，their power is entirely secondary to that of men.Hermione Granger is the most important female character in the story.We can see that the hero always is men.She is still secondary to Harry Potter even lower than Ron. At times she stands up for herself.She is such a smart girl.She may be the most clever girl in the same age.In the first book of the series of the story，she is petrified by a troll which had entered Hogwarts.She knows lots of incantations.And she has succeeded acting them in the class.But when the troll near by，she can do nothing but crying.Harry and Ron，two boys，never try this incantations in anywhere，they succeeded in using it.Finally they fight with the troll. Help her to escape away.Hermoine is portrayed as smarter than others， but her knowledge is used primarily for the benefit of others，not herself. Professor Mc Gonagall，too，holds a secondary position of power below Professor Dumbledore.She is also a very brave women.When Dumbledore died， she carry on protecting all the students in Hogwarts.Nowhere in the Harry Potter books is there a woman who is in charge of something.In the magical world，people also think that women is only in charge of their houses.It seems a traditional cultural patterns，J.K.Rowling，the writer shows just two family households：the Dursleys and the Weasleys.They are both housekeepers.Their careers are unknown and their husbands are the supporters of their family economy.In the end of the story，Mrs.Weasley killed the Bellatrix who is the negative character.But the honors are totally given to her husband and her son.

Through the female characters in Harry Potter，we can see that women is smart and brave.They can do everything.But they are seldom the hero.They often stand behind men and always be unknown in public.

2 Women in Jane Eyre

2.1 The introduction of Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is the best representative in the realism novel of 19th century.Its author Charlotte Bronte，described an orphan young lady，Jane Eyre，whose life was full of pain and misfortune.She lived in the era that man is the ruler.However，she successfully shaped an independent female， who pursued for freedom，equality and the respect of dignity.Jane Eyre has very different character from other females in her age.Her incredible love story and her love attitude have been carried on centuries.

2.2 Women be treated by an unequal way in the real world

Jane Eyre always lived her life in her own way.She never imagined her love had come to her.Mr.Rochester expressed his heart to Jane.Jane was very excited and promised to be his lover.

At that time，their love receives peoples congratulations as they have rebelled social traditions.The social class and wealth gap between them did not allow them to get married.Jane Eyre，of course，understands this，but these barriers cannot stop her.Jane has her own beliefs.She pursues the spiritual equality and freedom.She thinks as long as their heart being together，the so-called social statue and wealth cannot separate them.

In the latter love days，they are just liked other young lovers.They walked in the dawn，chased on the grass，and kissed each other at might. However，Jane Eyre had never forgotten to protect her independent role. She deeply thought they are equal and fair in spiritual and daily life.So Jane refused Rochester buying her expensive clothes，jewels，and other luxuries.What she wanted is the economical independence.Mr.Rochester wanted her to give up the work of governess immediately，and he promised her comfortable and wealthy life. Nevertheless，Jane insisted on her work. She wanted to depend on her own work to support herself.Whats more， Jane wanted to protect her personal dignity.She persists to maintain her independence and equality spiritually and economically.

Jane Eyre insists her own principles all her life.She believes marriage is based on true love，equality，and independence.

Jane Eyre has set an example of fighting for equality and independence in marriage.Before that the role of females is very low. They have to count on their family before getting married.After getting married，they have to rely on their husband.They even have no right to choose their loved one as husband.Whats worse，they do not have right to divorce.

3 The Conclusion

No matter where the women be in，the magical world or the real world，they are treated by an unequal way.Harry Potter shows that the women be treated unequal in the work. And Jane Eyre shows that the women be treated unequal in love and marriage.But is hard to say this is unequal to women.But more and more women become strong and desire to themselves off.It appeals people to think about life and love and marriage especially for females. They begin to fight for themselves. They have to rebel and fight for independence.Gradually，females have their own thoughts and wills.They also pay more attentions to their lives.

【References】

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[4]Rowling J K.Harry Potter and the Secret Room Scholastic[M].London，2001.

[5]Kromm，Jane E.The Feminization of Madness in Visual Repre-sentation[J].Feminist Studies，1994（20）：507-534.

[責(zé)任編輯：田吉捷]