Feminism In Jane Eyre

Throughout the novel, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte characterizes Jane Eyre as a compassionate young woman. Jane takes the best of her childhood memories into a motive to find success of herself as a young woman. The values that society imposes become inadequate in Jane’s life, therefore she goes against what is expected and fulfills her own desires. All throughout the novel Jane must break through the restrictive limits held against by society, ultimately to discover herself and the freedom to think and feel. Standing at a low position in society, Jane relies on power of individual spirit to pursue happiness and success in every aspect of her life. It is her determination to be autonomous that leads Jane to her happiness.

The natural role of women was typically criticized throughout the Victorian Era, being looked at as inferior when compared to men. The master of Lowood, Mr. Brocklehurst stated how simple his expectations were of the girls, “mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh” (Bronte 32). Working as a governess, Jane was ordered to teach children in a private setting, which was always an interest of Jane’s. To be a governess they not only had to be well educated in academics, but also knitting, drawing, and other hands on skills. Victorian governesses often suffered socially because of their low position compared to others, “The term governess was used to refer to a

woman who taught school, traveled to her employee’s house to teach, or resided with her