Woman figure and the theme of 'madness' in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea

This study aims to examine the `woman figure? and the theme of `madness? in the two well-known novels of the literary world, Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte and Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) by Jean Rhys. The study closely obreves the significant issues in the light of the two works. Apart from that, it hints at the economic, social, and political condition of England and its relation to its colonies in general. In the light of those, the study reflects the writers? point of view and how uniquely they approach the same issues in question.In the Introduction, the background information for the issues in question ? the role of women in society and its connection with madness ? involving some historical facts about the period is given.In Chapter I, Charlotte Bronte?s handling of the theme in Jane Eyre is examined. The woman characters, specifically Jane, are analyzed in detail.In Chapter II, the study shows Jean Rhys? dealing with the same subject in her rewriting of Bronte?s novel, Wide Sargasso Sea and the different perspectives.In Chapter III, comparing and contrasting the two novels in terms of the story and the narrative structure, the study provides a juxtaposition of them.Finally, the Conclusion provides the last overall look.