This article examines marriage as a mechanism of social control in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Drawing on feminist literary theory, the study explores how societal expectations shape female identity and limit women’s autonomy. While Jane Eyre resists oppressive norms and achieves a degree of independence, Lily Bart becomes a victim of rigid social structures. The comparative analysis reveals contrasting outcomes of female agency within different socio-historical contexts.
Marriage as A Mechanism of Social Control: A Comparative Analysis of Jane Eyre and The House of Mirth
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