Surrogate Mothers: Subversion of Motherhood in Jane Eyre

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 1017 - 1027, 31.08.2025

Nergiz Öznur Vardar , Seval Arslan , Visam Mansur

https://doi.org/10.29110/soylemdergi.1689027

Öz

In her much-discussed novel Jane Eyre (2001), Charlotte Brontë introduces an unconventional female character who defies nineteenth-century norms, highlighting women’s freedom and equality with men. Orphaned at a young age, the protagonist Jane navigates the difficulties of life, first at her aunt’s house, then at a girls’ boarding school with strict rules, and later at a mansion where she becomes a governess. The character’s rebellious nature against the injustices she faces enables her to educate herself and go beyond social expectations. Not only the defiant spirit of the protagonist, but also the influence of the maternal characters serve as a milestone in Jane’s identity formation. Thanks to these, Jane eventually begins to reject both male supremacy and the gender roles ascribed to women. Given motherhood’s strong association with female gender, this paper analyzes the representations of mothers, especially those of Mrs Reed, Miss Temple, Mrs Fairfax, and, to some extent, Bessie, in Jane Eyre, exploring their influence on Jane’s quest for the self. Also, the study examines how the dialectical relationship between the mother and the daughter–that is, their dynamic interplay of contrasting perspectives and influences–subverts the traditional perception of motherhood.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Jane Eyre , motherhood , mother-daughter relationship , subversion , surrogate mother

Sembolik Anneler: Jane Eyre’de Anneliğin Altüst Edilmesi

Öz

İngiliz yazar Charlotte Brontë, çok tartışılan romanı Jane Eyre’de (2001), kadınların özgürlüğünü ve erkeklerle eşitliğini ön plana çıkararak on dokuzuncu yüzyıl standartlarına karşı çıkan bir kadın karakter sunar. Küçük yaşta yetim kalan Jane, önce yengesinin evinde, ardından katı kuralları olan yatılı bir kız okulunda, daha sonra da öğretmen olarak görev yaptığı bir malikanede hayatın zorluklarıyla başa çıkmayı öğrenir. Kadın kahramanın yaşadığı haksızlıklara karşı isyankâr doğası, kendini eğitmesini ve toplumsal beklentilerin ötesine geçmesini sağlar. Yalnızca ana karakterin meydan okuyan yapısı değil, aynı zamanda anne rolü üstlenen kadın karakterlerin etkisi de Jane’in kimlik oluşumunda bir dönüm noktası işlevi görür. Böylece, ana karakter hem erkek üstünlüğünü hem de kadınlara atfedilen toplumsal cinsiyet rollerini reddetmeye başlar. Kadın ‘cinsiyetiyle’ ilişkilendirilen bir diğer konu annelik kavramı olduğundan, bu makale Jane Eyre’deki anne betimlemelerini, özellikle de Mrs Reed, Miss Temple, Mrs Fairfax ve Bessie karakterlerini, inceleyerek anne rolü üstlenen bu bireylerin Jane’in benlik arayışı üzerindeki etkisini araştırmaktadır. Ayrıca, ilgili çalışma, anne ile kızı arasındaki diyalektik ilişkinin–yani, iki taraf arasındaki zıt bakış açıları ve karşılıklı etkileşimlerin–geleneksel annelik algısını nasıl altüst ettiğini incelemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Jane Eyre , annelik , anne-kız ilişkisi , altüst etme , sembolik anne

Kaynakça

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