Cultural Clash and Gender Roles : Exploring the Quest for Equality in Jane Eyre and Things Fall Apart

Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to analyze the intersectionality between themes of cultural clash and gender roles within the novels Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, accentuating their common quest for equality. This essay offers a historical and cultural analysis, divulging the gender norms prevalent in Victorian England and pre-colonial Nigeria, serving as a backstage to the characters’ adaptations and struggles. The essay analyses the characters, giving an insight how they either conform or resist to the societal limitations of their respective eras. In addition, it examines the transformative effect of British colonialism on Igbo society, looking over the resulting struggles in gender dynamics and cultural conflicts. Spirituality and religion become evident as important aspects in shaping gender roles, juxtaposing Igbo traditions against the influence and spread of Christianity. The protagonists’ quest for independence and self-respect is documented in both novels, marked by their steadfast commitment to personal principles despite societal expectations. The essay draws similarities between Jane Eyre's pursuit of equality and the evolving gender roles in Igbo society, ultimately attesting to the enduring significance of these literary explorations in the context of contemporary conversations on the never-ending quest for equity, shifting gender norms, and cultural clashes.