The Oppressed Female in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre Essay -- Jane Eyr

The Oppressed Female in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontà « clearly demonstrates the relationship between sexuality and morality in Victorian society through the character of Bertha Mason, the daughter of a West Indian planter and Rochester's first wife. Rochester recklessly married Bertha in his youth, and when it was discovered shortly after the marriage that Bertha was sexually promiscuous, Rochester locked her away. Bertha is called a "maniac" and is characterized as insane. Confining Bertha for her display of excess passion reinforces a prevalent theme in Jane Eyre, that of oppressive sexual Victorian values. Bertha's captivity metaphorically speaks on the male-dominated Victorian society in which women are inferior and scorned for acts of nonconformism.    For the first half of Jane Eyre, Bertha is only known to the reader through her nearly phantasmal presence&emdash;the peculiar laugh, and the mysterious incident in which Rochester's bed was lit on fire. Only after the foiled wedding of Rochester and Jane, in which Mr. Briggs and Mr. Mason appear unexpectedly declaring that the wedding should not proceed, does Rochester explain to Jane that he has a living wife detained on the third floor of Thornfield Hall. "He lifted the hangings from the wall, uncovering the second door: this, too, he opened" (327). "In a room without a window" Bertha is found living as a wild animal sequestered from everyone but her caretaker Grace Poole. Like a ferocious beast, she is even tied down and bound.    Throughout the novel there are similar images of the restrained female, an example being Jane's detention in the "red-room" at Gateshead Hall. Both Jane and Bertha were ... ...otypical woman of the Victorian era who courteously and obediently allowed herself to be dominated by males. Through the depictions of the incarcerated female, Brontà « speaks on the ills of an unjust society. Brontà «'s representation of Bertha as a wild, chained, and trapped animal and the symbolic use of fire reflect the difficulties women had in expressing their sexuality in an era in which men dominated and in which women played the role of the obedient, confined, and inferior being.    Works Cited and Consulted: Brontà «, Charlotte.   Jane Eyre.   New York, Penguin Books, 1997. Gates, Barbara Timm, ed. Critical Essays on Charlotte Bronte. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1990. Okin, Susan Moller.   Justice, Gender and the Family.   United States of America: Basic Books, 1989. Wollstonecraft, Mary.   The Rights of Women.   Everyman's Library Edition.   

Nanking

The signing of the Nanking treaty proved to be an important catalyst in the eventual shift of ideas and principles concerning colonialism. Such document proved to be the instigator for the change in political ideals that affected countries in East Asia in their view of Western powers. In the end, the image of these legal codes served as an instrument in creating and paving for colonialism in East Asia. It can be argued that there has been an evolution of ideas when the Nanking Treaty was signed. This was evident not only among Western ideals but also among countries in East Asia as well (Japan). One thing that can be argued here is the creation of these legal documents to promote the exploitation of natural resources which is brought about by one factor – colonialism. Here we see the creation of colonial knowledge’s that served as an instigator to promote colonialism, particularly in East Asia. Wagoner (2003) says that colonial knowledge is â€Å"forms and bodies of knowledge that enabled European colonizers to achieve domination over their colonized subjects around the globe.† One such example is legal codes inscribed in every treaty that gives privileges to states to practice such concept. The Nanking Treaty serves as one component in legitimizing the practice of colonialism in China. There are several provisions in the treaty that exhibits such idea and creates the grounds for exploitation. Treaty of Nanking (1842) provides that â€Å"it being obviously necessary and desirable that British subjects should have some port whereat they may [maintain] and refit their ships when required, and keep stores for that purpose.† Such idea raises the question of equality of application in the mentioned treaty. Looking at it, there seems to be an evident discrepancy in the area of equality as far as the treaty is concerned. The mentioned treaty provides more benefits to the winning side (Great Britain) and penalties for the losing faction (China). Treaty of Nanking (1842) says that â€Å"His Majesty the Emperor of China cedes to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, &c., the Island of Hong-Kong, to be possessed in perpetuity by Her Britannic Majesty,† This created a different perspective in the political environment especially in China. Prior to the Opium wars and signing of the Nanking Treaty, Chinese status in the realm of World Politics was regarded to be of high regard. After the defeat from the British, Chinese grasp slowly diminished as it lost control over certain privileges enjoyed by the state. It is through this, that other Western states also used such weakness for their personal gains. Bond (2007) mentions that â€Å"Sensing blood France, Russia and the United States all piled in with similar treaties granting similar access.† Such legal codes proved to be an instrument for inequalities and semi-colonial relationships. Realizing its extent, it can be argued that such event created a shift in the societal level as people and other traits begin to exhibit traits comparable to their colonizers. Wagoner (2003) says that â€Å"indigenous intellectuals in reality contributed actively to the process, and that colonial knowledge was thus produced through a complex form of collaboration between colonizers and colonized, and an attendant process of epistemic confrontation and adjustment between European and indigenous knowledge systems.† Though such treaty may promote ‘equality before the law’, realistically it showcases a different treatment among Chinese counterparts. Treaty of Nanking (1842) stipulates â€Å"Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, &c., will appoint Superintendents, or Consular officers, to reside at each of the above-named cities or towns, to be the medium of communication between the Chinese authorities and the said merchants, and to see that the just duties and other dues of the Chinese Government,† Lastly, such issue created a justification for other rising powers to exhibit the same ideology promoted by Western States as far as colonialism is concerned. Japan, for one, evolved from its isolationist ways and started to practice and exhibit the colonialist ideals. To conclude, the Nanking Treaty proved to be a catalyst for political and economic changes in East Asia. These legal codes provided the justification for colonialism and exploitation as it greatly affected the way other states both in East Asia and the West perceive China. Work Cited Bond, David. Silk Road or Silver Road. 2007. accessed March 14, 2008 Wagoner, Philip B. Precolonial Intellectuals and the Production of Colonial Knowledge in ‘Comparative Studies in Society and History 2003 45 (UK; Cambridge University Press) pp.783-814 ‘Treaty of Nanking’ 1842 accessed March 14, 2008 from

Ethical Issues in Social Psychological Research - 6240 Words

Running head: ETHICS IN RESEARCH Ethical Issues in Social Psychological Research Social psychological research has been conducted in response to many social concerns. Over the years the focus of research has changed greatly depending on the needs of society. However the main purpose has remained constant, which is to contribute to understanding individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviour in light of a broader social context. Social psychological research is done with both humans and animals. Therefore, researchers must adhere to certain codes of conduct in order to ensure that the participants are protected and not harmed in any way. The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) (2000) has come up with four ethical principles†¦show more content†¦Moreover, psychologists have a greater responsibility to caring for members of society than do members of society have among themselves. Last but not least, psychologists have the responsibility of protecting their own moral rights. Principle II: Responsible Caring Psychologists are concerned for the benefitting and not harming those involved under their care. In addition, psychologists are required to pay special attention to the well fare of those who are most vulnerable or directly involved under their care. Obtaining informed consent is one way of guarantying that a persons well fare is protected. Psychologists are required to assess the potential harm and benefit and to continue only if the benefits prevail over the harm. In this case it is the psychologist’s responsibility to take all measures to decrease the harm and increase the benefits, as well as take all measures to correct any harmful effects. This requires that psychologists acknowledge the need for competence and self-knowledge. Therefore, psychologists only perform procedures that they are competent with and have or obtain sufficient knowledge. In addition psychologists engage in self-reflection so that they can differentiate between thei r own values and those persons involved under their care. Furthermore, psychologists assess harm in terms of both psychological and physical â€Å"dimensions† (p. 15). Therefore, psychologists areShow MoreRelatedEthics And Social Psychology Research775 Words   |  4 Pagestopic in social psychology research. Ethics encompass essential guidelines and codes of conduct that is taken into consideration before carrying out research. Although undergraduate and graduate curriculum in psychology acquaints students with the basic nature of ethical considerations and codes of conduct in research, however, it is likely that some of the most famous experiments in social psychology such as experiment by Stanley Milgram on â€Å"Behavioral Study of Obedience† exemplify ethical misconductRead MoreEthical Principles Of The Social Research1259 Words   |  6 PagesAs my research deals with people then it is a must that my research should comply with ethical standards and profession al research. According to Babbie (2008), There are ethical issues associated with the research study, including voluntary participation, no harm to participants, anonymity and confidentiality (Babbie, 2008, pp.67-71). Likewise, this research will address these ethical issues in advance in order to avoid violation of ethical norms of social research. 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Milgram’s (1963) obedience experiment prompted various issues related to human research ethics. In Milgram’s initial experiment, participants were asked to electric shock others in order to test their level of obedience to an authority figure. According to the British Psychological Society (BPS) Code of Human Research Ethics (2010), Milgram put the studies participants at more than minimal risk as the research brought onRead MoreHistory And Progression Of Untreated Syphilis931 Words   |  4 Pagespanel was created. (Brandt, 1978) There are several ethical issues that can arise when conducting research. A few of these are field of study dilemmas, the researchers’ integrity, social and economic issues, physical and psychological issues. Field of study refers to areas of research that are controversial in nature. Ethical dilemmas that can arise under fields of study are contentious topics such as embryo research and fetal tissue research (National Institute of Health, 2008). Studies suchRead MoreInformed Consent in Counseling785 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿INFORMED CONSENT 3 Since the research materials are provided to you by human beings, and may be based on numerous sources, it is strongly recommended that you conduct independent research to verify that all information is complete and accurate before referencing the material. This reminder does not contain all of the terms and conditions that govern your purchase Q3. According to all codes of professional counseling ethics, when a client enters into a counseling relationship, the counselor isRead MoreAdhd : Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Essay1605 Words   |  7 Pagesterm symptoms that may be indicative of ADHD, and the individual must meet at least six of these nine symptoms. The symptoms must have been present by the age of six to twelve, and must be present in more than one situation. The symptoms must cause social, work, or school problems, and must also not be normal for the age of the individual. ADHD can be treated with either therapy or psychoactive drugs, or a combination of the two.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a highly controversial