In an era when man rules all, when he is in control, she is submissive. She is under his demand. She cannot be free. She is a bird in his snare. Jane Eyre, in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, is a Victorian era heroine. She does not let any man snare her and dictate her life. From her earlier days at Lowood Institution, to Thornfield, the Manor House, and Ferndean, she leads a life astray from the ways of the patriarchal society, because of her past experiences in the red room at Gateshead Hall. The red room psychologically traps Jane and is an obstacle that she must overcome to escape her snare. As Jane progresses through life - escaping the snare - Bronte shows women that anyone, even Jane, a small and plain woman, can stand up to men and escape the cage the world has enclosed her in.
Jane demonstrates to readers how she has suffered through her cousin’s anger and her aunt’s neglect to stop the abuse. Through Jane the reader is shown how even with all the suffering, Jane has her limits, even though she was submissive throughout the passage until the end. Jane’s point of view is important for the readers to know because the readers will understand what is happening to the character. In
While Jane admits that she is “no Helen Burns” (Brontë 55), her love for Helen immediately affects her behaviour. Between Helen and the likeliness of her aunt and cousins, Jane understands that she must “define her character and actions in relation to Helen’s ideal.” (Reger) In the scene
Jane states that she doesn 't love her aunt or even acknowledge their familial bond when she doesn 't address her aunt by the title of "aunt." Even as a child, Jane has a strong moral standard. After Jane gratefully leaves her aunt for Lowood, Jane conflicts with Mr. Brocklehurst. Mr Brocklehurst publicly accuses Jane of being a liar. Jane later approaches a teacher of Lowood, calling in evidence from a doctor from her aunt 's
However, the outsider in literature who resonates with me the most is the titular protagonist of Jane Eyre. As the penniless orphan daughter of a deceased gentleman, Jane Eyre is treated as the social Other wherever she goes, for she doesn’t fit into the establish social moulds of either gentry or servants. Apart from the orphans at Lowood and recluses at Marsh End (who are social outsiders themselves), characters in Jane Eyre shun the protagonist from their social circles. For example, at Gateshead, John Reed marginalizes Jane by calling her a “dependent” who doesn’t deserve to live amongst “gentleman’s children” (8).
Charlotte Bronte takes us on a journey from the point which Jane Eyre, the protagonist lives with her aunt and cousins whom very much dislikes her in Gateshead to her going to a boarding school in Lowood, after which she becomes a governess in Thornfield where she falls in love with Mr. Rochester her employer whom she later finds out is married to a mad woman by the name of Bertha Mason, upon her discovery of this she picks up and leaves Thornfield, she then ends up at Marsh End where he meets her relatives. The novel carries us through ever important event in her life, which introduces us to new aspects of her personality, up until her eventual marriage to Mr. Rochester. The novel fits this theme as its protagonist chooses individualism as she refuses to take the role subservience as that of a traditional female of the Victorian era society, she stands up for her rights and want she believes in, she ventures in her own unique thoughts, and stands by her views even if it means disagreeing with those superior to her. Jane comments on the role of women in society and the greater constraint imposed on them. V.S Naipaul’s
Jane refuses to accept that her sole purpose is to conform society, be inferior to everyone and ignore her principles and beliefs. However, Jane is not attempting to escape society, she’s attempting to bend its rules. Instead of running away from it, Jane is trying to fit into the society, without having to change who she is. Throughout the years, from being an ungrateful, rebellious orphan, she developed into a strong-minded, independent heiress. In the final chapters of the novel, Jane acquires everything she ever wished for - a social class, a family and the ability to be equal to Mr. Rochester.
Jane Eyre is very much the product of the specific time and place in which it was written, an environment in which a woman, especially an economically disadvantaged one, has to struggle greatly so that she might speak of her own vision of reality. According to the critic Maggie Berg, Jane Eyre reflects “the contradictory nature of Victorian society, a society that was in transition, and one in which people were forced to discover new ways of finding and defining identity” (Berg, 17). The world that Charlotte Bronte inhabited was rife with dichotomies.
Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender.
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” Edward Fairfax Rochester plays a contributing role in Janes development and growth as a character and human being in the Victorian time period. Not only does he play a large role in her independency, but in her emotional and spiritual growth as well. She grows around him whether she likes it or not. Due to Edwards manipulative and seductive nature, jane has to grow and develop in a way that has her frequently questioning her own ideals, whether that be spiritually or morally, and strengthening her independence by constantly refusing her feelings for him and adapting to punishing situations. Edward also opens Janes eyes to a world that is bigger than she realized due to his company at the house, wealth, and opportunities at the favorable Thornfeild manor at which she was employed by him.
It is ironic that Jane is seen as the guilty party in the incident with John Reed because John started the fight when he slapped Jane. Then when John’s sisters, Eliza and Georgina, go to “tattle tale” on Jane, their mother blames Jane for the whole situation. Jane compares John to a “murderer,” “slave-driver,” and “Roman Emperors” (Bronte 9). During this comparison, she is implying that he is a very cruel and awful person. That he would beat her and boss her around.
When she dies, it burdens Jane with carrying on Helen’s legacy, but also teaches her valuable lessons about her relationships with other people. When Jane meets Helen Burns, her entire view of religion is
(Brontë 72) and other questions about Jane’s faith. Brocklehurst immediately tells Jane that she must have “a wicked heart” (Brontë 72) since
Jane is a bit of a loner. Her experiences have led her to believe that in the end, all groups fail and its better to be on your own and obviously values her solitude. When given the chance she will venture to secluded areas away from the main group. The main exception to this rule is Clementine in that when she ventures off alone Clem will often accompany her, but one person isn't a whole
When Jane meets Helen at Lowood school, Jane is amazed and confused at Helen’s ability to tolerate the abuse directed at her by the teachers. Both Helen and Jane struggle at the school however, Helen and Jane endure the mistreatment from the teachers individually. “I heard her with wonder: I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance” (Brontë 6). Jane refuses to conform to the teachers complaints, her free