Bertha Mason: A Symbol of Resistance in the Colonial Constraints YU 1

Yu-Hung Yu

Critical Theory and Practice

Dr. Shao-ming Kung

2024/05/11

Bertha Mason: A Symbol of Resistance in the Colonial Constraints in Jane Eyre

Introduction

In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Bertha Mason transcends her role as a mere gothic

plot twist to embody the intersections of race and colonialism. This paper focuses on

Chapters 19 and 20, where her dramatic confrontations highlight her as a symbol of

resistance against colonial structures. Initially hinted in Chapter 14 as a spectral presence at

Thornfield Hall, Bertha’s subtle introduction sets the stage for her impactful reveal. In

Chapter 19, mysterious events during a Thornfield party—characterized by inexplicable

laughter and eerie sounds—heighten the tension and foretell her unsettling presence. The

culmination of Bertha’s portrayal unfolds in Chapter 20, where she is directly revealed as a

madwoman and as ‘the Other.’ Described as a Creole woman with a depicted savagery, she

challenges the patriarchal and colonial norms, emphasizing the colonial fears and stereotypes

that view her through a lens of exoticism and danger.

Research Questions:

Based on Chapters 19 and 20 of Jane Eyre, here are three questions as follows:

1. Considering Bertha’s indirect influence on the party’s atmosphere, how does Chapter

19 contribute to her portrayal as a disruptive force within the colonial domestic

sphere?
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2. How can Bertha’s physical and behavioral description during her reveal be analyzed

to uncover more profound insights into the colonial practice of controlling and

segregating the ‘dangerous’ other?

3. In what ways do the interactions between the colonizers and the indigenous people in

these chapters reflect the themes of cultural clash and exploitation in colonial

literature?

Thesis Statement

This paper argues that in Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë presents Bertha Mason as a gothic
element and as a figure embodying the resistance against colonial and patriarchal
oppressions, highlighting the intersections of race and colonialism.

Essay Map

In this analysis, I will explore how Bertha Mason, as a Creole woman, becomes a significant
symbol of defiance against the colonial structures that seek to control and marginalize her.
Specifically, I will examine her portrayal during the eerie events of a party at Thornfield in
Chapter 19 and her confrontation in Chapter 20, revealing her as a formidable ‘Other’ who
challenges colonial and patriarchal norms.

In Jane Eyre, Bertha Mason emerges not merely as a gothic plot device but as a

profound symbol interwoven with themes of race and colonialism. This paper delves into

Chapters 19 and 20 to trace Bertha’s subtle yet significant presence and her eventual dramatic

confrontation that challenges the established colonial order of the era. [Topic Sentence]

Body Paragraph I

Chapter 19 increases the mystery surrounding Bertha with unsettling occurrences

during a party at Thornfield, marked by inexplicable laughter and eerie sounds that unsettle
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the guests and warp the estate’s perceived reality, heightening the suspense. As Mr.

Rochester exclaims, “Mason!—the West Indies!” his recognition of Bertha’s origins amidst

his alarm (86) sets a tone of dread and foreshadows her disruptive potential. This tension is

palpable as he stumbles and cries out from a mysterious blow, indicating Bertha’s unseen yet

profound influence (87).

The climax of Bertha’s narrative arc is presented in Chapter 20, where she is directly

revealed to Jane and the readers. In this confrontation, Bertha, described through the

colonizer's lens, is portrayed not simply as a madwoman but as a significant ‘Other.’ Her

depiction as a Creole woman, characterized by savage and unsettling traits, directly

challenges the colonial and patriarchal norms. The descriptions of her actions, such as her

threatening demeanor and the blood-curdling shrieks that echo through Thornfield Hall,

underscore her role as a figure of resistance (89-92).

Furthermore, the interactions in these chapters, particularly between Mr. Rochester

and Mr. Mason, reflect a complex layer of colonial power dynamics. Rochester’s control and

manipulation of Mason, who is described as almost paralyzed by fear, illustrate the power

imbalances typical of colonial relationships (92-94). The way Rochester dismisses the violent

episode as a nightmare to his guests serves as an attempt to maintain colonial order by

diminishing the severity and implications of Bertha’s resistance (90).

Body Paragraph II

Bertha Mason is a poignant symbol of defiance against colonial constraints through

these narratives. Her portrayal as both disruptive and menacing challenges the hegemony of

the colonizers, shedding light on the broader themes of cultural clash and exploitation within

the narrative. Her physical and behavioral traits during her reveal and the described
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interactions reveal the complexities of colonial dynamics and the enduring legacy of

resistance against oppression.

By analyzing her spectral introduction, unsettling presence, and confrontation with the

main characters, this exploration highlights how Bertha transcends her portrayal as a mere

madwoman, revealing the Victorian age's deep-seated anxieties and colonial mindset. This

critical examination enriches our understanding of Jane Eyre and contributes to broader

discussions on the implications of colonialism in literature.

Conclusion

In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë crafts Bertha Mason not just as a figure of terror

within the Gothic framework but as a profound emblem of resistance against colonial and

patriarchal forces. This analysis has delved into how Bertha challenges the colonial structure

through her spectral presence and the climax of her narrative arc and asserts her role beyond

the confines of madness. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s insights underscore the significance

of Bertha’s portrayal, suggesting that her depiction as ‘the Other’ resonates with broader

postcolonial themes, notably the subversion of imperialist narratives. Spivak points out that

“Bertha Mason, the white Creole, is a figure produced by the axiomatics of imperialism” and

represents “imperialism’s displaced figuration of the ‘native female’ as such” (Spivak, 1985,

p. 250). This character’s interactions, especially in Chapters 19 and 20, reveal deep-seated

anxieties and the Victorian colonial mindset, presenting a figure who, though marginalized

and oppressed, actively disrupts the colonial order. Bertha’s actions, from the unsettling

laughter to the eerie shrieks, are not mere expressions of madness but acts of defiance,

underscoring her resistance against the oppressive structures that seek to confine her.

Bertha Mason’s story in Jane Eyre serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring

impact of colonialism within literature, offering a lens through which to interrogate the
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intersections of race, gender, and power in contemporary England. This critical examination

deepens our understanding of Brontë’s work and contributes to broader discussions on

colonialism’s implications in literature, affirming the novel’s relevance in postcolonial

studies. As we reflect on Bertha’s role, we gain insights into the complexities of colonial

dynamics and appreciate how literature can challenge hegemonic narratives and foster a

critical discourse around historical and cultural oppression. Thus, Bertha Mason remains a

symbol of resistance, her legacy enduring as a challenge to the colonial constraints of her

time and ours.

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Work Cited

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Edited by Stevie Davies, Penguin Books, 2006.

McLeod, John. Beginning Postcolonialism. Manchester University Press, 2010, pp. 139–181.

Said Edward William. “Connecting Empire to Secular Interpretation.” Culture and

Imperialism, 1st ed., Knopf, 1993, pp. 43-61.

Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. “Three Women’s Texts and a Critique of Imperialism.”

Critical Inquiry, vol. 12, no. 1, 1985, pp. 243–261.