『제인 에어』의 수행적 젠더 정체성 -주디스 버틀러의 퀴어이론을 중심으로

Abstract

This thesis attempts to read Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre in terms of Judith Butler’s queer theory in order to find new meaning in this novel. Judith Butler has had a great influence on the emerging field of ‘queer theory,’ which is continually at odds with the normal, whether that is dominant heterosexuality or gay/lesbian identity. According to Butler, the heterosexual subject is constructed through the repression of the possible homoerotic desire. Namely her opinion is that heterosexuality is naturalized by the performative repetition or normative gender identities. She intends to demonstrate that the domains of gender and sexuality are not organized in terms of originality and imitation. And she suggests a new idea called 'lesbian phallus' which substitutes other parts of body for Lacan’s phallus. Though ‘lesbian phallus’ is a fictive idea to challenge Lacan's terms, it gives different interpretation in analysis of a text. Using Butler’s theory, I agree that Jane who married Rochester, performs ‘lesbian phallus.’ Charlotte Brontë challenges contemporary sexual ideology through Jane. Heroine Jane, a defiant and active woman, searched for her own sexual identity, when women were asexually prescribed in the 19th century. Namely Brontë contrived subversion about gender schema in Jane Eyre. Especially Brontë puts Jane in the position of an active subject in marrying Rochester who was broken. By placing woman in an active position Brontë challenges contemporary gender system. Moreover Brontë broke the boundary of homosexuality and heterosexuality by showing that Jane cherished other women as well as Rochester. It is corresponding to Butler’s queer theory. On that context, there are obvious limits if we analyze Jane Eyre in terms of feminism or lesbian criticism. But a consideration of Jane’s love for Rochester and her affection for other women allows an analysis of Jane Eyre in the context of queer theory, which transcends boundary of homosexuality and heterosexuality by clarifying Jane's sexuality. Butler, through her own theory, gives new significance about sexual identities (gay, lesbian and bisexual etc) which have been until now underestimated by feminism. Also Butler herself hopes to be able to guide a new kind of method that feminism should choose as the method of reading literature. Also she overcomes the limitation of the understanding of the text and gives new meaning which even lesbian feminist readings often ignore. By using Butler`s queer theory, I am convinced that such interpretative acts will achieve new meanings of Jane Eyre.