Theme Of Feminism In Jane Eyre

As most critics would agree, Jane Eyre, published in the mid-19th century, is a subversive novel. Yet, its theme and in what way the novel is subversive remains controversial. Some critics assert that the novel argues for women’s right and is a pro-feminism novel. These critics focus on Jane’s independence, arguing that she had more rights and free will than most women under the cultural context. They argue that she does not depend on her beauty or “charm” for men but instead makes her own decisions based on her reasoning and conscience. She even rejects multiple “respectable” marriage proposals. Other critics, such as John G. Peters, believe that main theme of the novel is about Christianity. However, critiquing the class structure is also a prominent part

It is evident through the part where Mr. Rochester begs Jane to stay at Thornfield after the secret about the marriage with Bertha was revealed. Even though Jane loves Mr. Rochester and wants to stay, she is determined to leave and says, “I will keep the law given by God, sanctioned by man… hold to the principles received by me when I was sane… Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation” (Brontë 369). With her Christian belief, she resists temptation and does the right thing, and does not become a mistress. Peters’s is right in his argument. In many different scenarios, the novel does have a Christian theme and seem to tell readers that everyone is equal under God. However, the novel definitely criticizes the way class structure was and there is a flaw in Peters’s argument. He argues that Jane Eyre does not critique the class structure, but at the same time, everyone is equal under God. He fails to acknowledge the connection between the two. Everyone is equal under God and that is the reason why the class structure is atrocious. There are several incidents where Brontë is clearly criticizing the class