Feminists: How do you feel when girls read books by Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and other romance novels?

Question

Do you feel that they are fighting against your cause by reading books by authors like Austen and the Bronte sisters who portray women in weak, submissive, stereotypical roles ?

Answer 1

I have no idea what authors you can have been reading, but you certainly cannot have been reading Jane Austen.  For a start, Jane Austen did not write 'romance novels'.  To go on with, which of her heroines is at all submissive?  Not one that I can think of.  have you ever actually READ any of her books? You think elizabeth Bennet is weak and submissive?  Emma Woodhouse?  Anne Eliot?  You must be joking.  If you think any of these women are weak and submissive, you have either not read the books, or you have failed utterly to understand them.

As for the Brontes, which of their heroines are weak and submissive?  Certainly not quiet little Jane Eyre, whose meek exterior conceals a will of iron.  Nor Catherine in Wuthering heights, there are many adjectives you could use to describe her, but 'weak' and 'submissive' are certainly not among them.  And what about   Helen Graham in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall?  The moment when she slams the bedroom door in her husband's face is one of the great feminist moments in english literature.

Your understanding of classic fiction is shaky at best.  english can not have been well taught at your school.

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything wrong with it.  Sometimes the characters are portrayed as strong for the time.  Even if you thought they were submissive and weak in the books, it would help you see how were treated and expected to be, how times have changed, and maybe helps us to see the things that may not be overt anymore, but that are covert.

Answer 3

You apparently haven't read much Austen. The majority of the women in her books were "feminist" by many standards. Granted they still went along with many cultural norms of the time and where "weak" and "submissive" in comparison to our standards today but the women in her books, like Elizabeth Bennet for instance were very strong minded, outspoken, educated and opinionated women who refused to settle for anything less than the best.

Answer 4

They are classics..read just to say you have read them--sort of seems like the thing to do. Doesn't mean you agree or disagree, you are just partaking in an American tradition in the education system.

Answer 5

Never read them. It's simply not the type of book I'm interested in.

Answer 6

not at all..takes all types

i prefer science and nonfiction myself..but who am i to tell others what they should or shouldnt read?

Answer 7

It seems as though the previous answerers have done an excellent job of pointing out that Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters' lead female characters are extremely strong. Although the books take place in times where women were expected to be more submissive and weak than they are today, the lead characters are intelligent and headstrong woman that are still admired by today's girls and women. I suggest that you read them as you clearly have not.

Answer 8

I think you've got it all wrong. Those are my favourite novels and the fact they are written by women suports female liberation. Feminism is about women's right to choice. And those books don't portray women as weak or submissive. I think you need to re-read those books before you critise them!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Even though their main characters are emotionally strong, smart, and consider themselves equals to men? Geez, haven't you actually read any of this stuff?

Answer 10

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