The Image of the “New Woman” in the Novels by Ch. Brontë and N.G. Chernyshevsky

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis of the images of the main heroines of the novel «What is to be done?» N. G. Chernyshevsky and «Villette» by Ch. Brontё. The general theme and historical era provide grounds for comparing literary characters. Similar features in the development of female characters have been identified: origin, personality formation, motives of behavior, determination, lifestyle. It is also noted that these novels are characterized by certain genre characteristics of Bildungsroman. The analysis allows us to conclude that Vera Pavlovna and Lucy Snow represent the type of a “new woman” for European society of the mid-19th century.