ШАРЛОТТА БРОНТЕ И ОБРАЗ ЖЕНЩИНЫ В ВИКТОРИАНСКОМ ОБЩЕСТВЕ

The article explores the image of woman in the works of Charlotte Brontѐ within the socio-cultural and ideological context of Victorian England. Although Charlotte Brontѐ’s novels have been extensively studied, female characters are often treated as secondary elements of narrative structure rather than as independent objects of scholarly analysis. This study aims to reconsider Brontѐ’s female protagonists as central figures through whom the writer articulates a critical response to Victorian gender norms. The research focuses on the representation of women as active subjects who resist social, economic, and psychological constraints imposed by a patriarchal society. The methodological framework of the study combines literary analysis, linguistic-stylistic interpretation, biographical approach, and feminist literary criticism. The material for analysis includes the novels Jane Eyre, Shirley, and Villette, which are examined with particular attention to narrative strategies, character construction, and linguistic devices. The findings demonstrate that Brontѐ creates a new type of female image characterized by moral autonomy, psychological depth, and social consciousness. Her heroines challenge traditional ideals of femininity, such as obedience and self-sacrifice, and assert their right to personal dignity, emotional integrity, and independent choice. Special attention is paid to linguistic and narrative devices, including metaphor, antithesis, irony, and internal monologue, which function as tools for articulating proto-feminist ideas. The article argues that Charlotte Brontѐ’s depiction of women not only reflects the realities of Victorian society but also transcends its historical boundaries, influencing the development of feminist literary tradition and contributing to modern discussions of gender identity, female agency, and psychological realism in literature.