JANE EYRE: A FOUCAULDIAN STUDY OF POWER AND RESISTANCE

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the Foucauldian shades of power and resistance through the test case of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. It contemplates the dynamic mechanism of power and resistance as both these are the intimate terms in the work of Foucault working in a social relation. Power is seen everywhere in society, and its mechanism can only be replaced or changed through the process of resistance. Foucault’s power does not have a negative connotation to exercise against someone to take the life of people. His power has resistance in itself. This study emphasizes on the resistance of Jane Eyre in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. Despite her nonconformist thinking, actions, and attitude, and bold character, she seems to resist the power of patriarchy and religion. She finally gets success in proving that Jane resistance is more powerful than the power that lies in society everywhere. This study adopts the textual analysis of the novel and has the much scope to find out the impact of resistance in the character of Jane Eyre from a Foucauldian point of views.