Quotation: After finishing this book the last quotation that I would like to focus on is the one on the bottom of page 515 and continues on to the top of 516. “You should hear himself on the subject. He has again and again explained that it is not himself, but his office he wishes to mate. He has told me I am formed for labour – not for love: which is true, no doubt. But, in my opinion, if I am not formed for love, it follows that I am not formed for marriage. Would it not be strange, Die, to be chained for life to a man who regarded one but as a useful tool?” 515
Comment/Connection: This passage really fits well into the novel because it shows the suppression women were going through during this time. Not only that but it eludes to one of the reasons why Jane is so “rebelious” and does not want to conform to what society wants her to be (a tool). This passage connects to the theme of the class because this kind of mindset was a monster during these times and even sometimes now. It suppresses women from being able to accomplish great things. Even though it wasn’t a physical monster it is considered to be a mental one. We have talked about the internal monsters in class and how even though they are not visible all the time they are still there and cause a lot of problems. Such as “placing women in a category with an inanimate object.
There most certainly is an argument here and it is whether women are tools or not. I personally think that women are not tools. A tool is an instrument used to carry out a particular function. It can also be defined as someone using another person. This is the reason why I do not agree with this argument of women being considered tools because women are also beings they are made of the same/similar atoms as men they should not be used by others or men just for their convenience. This makes me think how glad I am that the times have change and women are thought of more than just “tools.” I personally appreciate the women who have fought for women’s rights more and more when things like this come up or are even thought about because the world would honestly be a totally different place if we didn’t even have the technology, education, or concepts women have come up with since then.
Question: Why were men so closed minded during these times? Where did it start when men, specifically white men, believed they are the superior being?
