The Brontës' Conception Of The Masculine Hero: A Study Of Heathcliff And Mr Rochester.pdf

# The Brontës and their Conception of the Masculine Hero: The Case of Heathcliff and Mr Rochester

This thesis explores the female Brontë sisters' portrayal of masculine heroes in their novels, Wuthering Heights (Emily) and Jane Eyre (Charlotte), challenging the Victorian era's normative expectations of masculinity.

## Victorian Masculinity and the Brontës’ Heroes

The 19th-century Victorian era upheld strict societal norms for men, emphasizing:
- Religious devotion
- Heterosocial dominance in gender relationships
- A 'norm' of masculine behavior characterized by stoicism, rationality, and physical strength.

## Brontë Sisters' Masculine Characters

Both Emily and Charlotte Brontë subvert traditional Victorian masculinity through their male protagonists:

Emily Brontë's Heathcliff:
- Portrayed as a complex figure lacking conventional heroic virtues, with destructive love and no remorse.
- His 'byronic' traits challenge societal expectations of masculinity by emphasizing passion, intensity, and non-conformity.

Charlotte Brontë's Mr Rochester:
- Initially depicted as a traditional gentleman, but his unconventional behavior and hidden secrets subvert Victorian ideals.
- His physical strength and dominance are balanced by vulnerabilities, creating a more nuanced portrayal of masculinity.

## Gothic Influence and Antiheroes

Both novels draw from the Gothic genre, which often features antiheroes:
- Heathcliff and Mr Rochester exhibit villainous traits while also eliciting sympathy due to their tragic pasts and unconventional life courses.
- Their 'byronic' nature aligns with Romantic ideals of artistic expression and individualism, further challenging Victorian norms.

## Conception of Masculine Love

The novels present contrasting views on masculine love:
- Heathcliff's love is destructive, unconventional, and lacking a happy ending, reflecting his non-conforming nature.
- Mr Rochester's love story follows a more traditional path, but with obstacles and revolutionary themes that challenge Victorian expectations of romance.

## Rewriting Victorian Tradition

While Charlotte Brontë incorporates some Victorian ideals, Emily's Wuthering Heights offers a stark departure:
- Heathcliff embodies an animalistic masculinity, rejecting societal norms and religious values.
- The novels collectively suggest that true masculinity lies in complexity, passion, and individualism rather than strict adherence to Victorian norms.