How does Bronte show the reader Jane's resilience to events that occur in the novel? How successful is she as a heroine?

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How does Bronte show the reader Jane's resilience to events that occur in the novel? How successful is she as a heroine?

When describing someone as 'resolute', it is to say that the person has the ability to cope with pressures they are put under and still end up coming out of the situation as a stronger person. Jane's character is a perfect example of this. She has to cope in many difficult positions she faces, and ends up as the heroine of the novel. Jane's growing understanding of the world is shown frequently throughout the novel. As a child, she tends to believe she can say and do as she pleases, but as the novel progresses and Jane's character matures, her understanding of the world develops. Bronte wishes the reader to admire Jane for always being optimistic and the unique strength of character she displays.

It is important to note how Jane is treated by her relatives as her temper plays a vital part in the way she copes during her childhood. In her early life, Jane regularly comes in contact with John Reed, a rude, nasty bully. Jane does not at all like John, and is not afraid of showing this. Jane proves this by standing up for herself after he'd struck her with a book saying, "Wicked and cruel boy!" She feels very intimidated by him, and retaliates on only one occasion when she was pushed to the limit. This is one of the first times that we can obviously see Jane's true character; courageous, passionate and strong feelings about justice and morality.

At Gateshead it becomes clear that Jane is self-willed and is rebellious. For instance, when Jane stands up to her aunt by saying;

"You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness, but I cannot live so: and you have no pity".

Here Jane makes her first declaration of independence. In the Victorian time it was considered "deceitful" for a child to speak out. This points out to the reader that Jane no longer wants to be considered as a secondary member of the Reed household. Jane wants more than anything at this time to be loved and she feels she will not have it because of all the things Mrs. Reed told Mr. Brockelhurst. She again displays her temper by saying,

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"I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you but I declare I do not love you…"

This quotation shows how Jane's resilience and heroic nature are used to show Jane's aggressiveness. The phrases "I declare" and "I do not" show how powerful her statement is. She aims to get her view across and does so with the strong words she states.

At Lowood, Jane first experiences friendship, but this is jeopardized by a false accusation made by Mr Brockelhurst. Having been sent to a strict, cruel school, Jane's spirit is not broken ...

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