Assignment ?“As he moved, a chain clanked: to his wrists were attached fetters. “Bridewell!” exclaimed Colonel Dent, and the charade was solved.” How far and in what ways do you agree that Bronte presents marriage as a largely negative experience? Response In her novel, "Jane Eyre," Charlotte Bronte presents marriage as a largely negative experience in order to emphasize the protagonists struggle from childhood to womanhood and her ongoing battle for independence, with contributing factors such as sacrifice, duty and religion. Although, there are certain elements which are required for a successful marriage introduced in the novel like compatibility, morals and utter devotion. One of the ways in which Bronte explores the negative aspects of marriage is through her exploration of "duty," particularly Christian duty in the relationship between St John and Jane. St. John is an ambitious character, with an overwhelming love for God. Marriage is a duty to St John and his way of proposing to Jane enforces the dominant male stereotype of the Victorian era. As a Victorian, a man’s obligation was to marry, produce children and bring home the bacon. Although he realises this, he finds it difficult to love another when his heart belongs to God... “I want a wife: the sole helpmeet I can influence efficiently in life,” He believes it’s his obligation to God, to "fix" Jane, so that she can come to love his leader as much as he does. St. John is trying to annihilate Jane’s independence in hope that he can “retain” her “absolutely till death.” However, despite her proposal from St. John, Jane realises her real duty in life, first and foremost, is to herself. Jane's journey to independence is presented by a bildungsroman, constructing a relationship with the audience as they are involved in the same process education and development as the main character. Bronte's aim is to effect the readers growth as well. Along Jane's