"In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte has created a heroine who is constantly in conflict with the social and cultural expectations of her day." How far do you agree with this view of the novel?

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Emma White                                               February 19th 03

Jane Eyre Coursework

“In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte has created a heroine who is constantly in conflict with the social and cultural expectations of her day.” How far do you agree with this view of the novel?

 

 I agree very strongly with this view that Jane rebelled against the expectations of her day, especially Jane as a child. A good example of this is religion - she does not respect religion at least the fundamental religion represented by Mr Brocklehurst , such as when Mr. Brocklehurst asks how she must avoid going to hell, she replies “I must stay in good health and not die”, which in that day could be considered a very reactionary statement, because not only was she against religion but answered back to an elder. Jane was treated with disapproval because she was a child, a girl, an orphan and poor. In this day there were several classes and ‘Jane was very lower class so she had no status.

           Jane has a lot of “Passion” and this guides her in every situation. It’s her own conflict of heart and head and she follows her heart most of the way and believes she is right. Passion is something people were not supposed to have in that way - they could be passionate about music or sewing but they should not feel strongly about their opinions or express their feelings, particularly as a child. This leads onto Jane’s passion about love, she even says “ I can’t survive without love” and that she would “do anything for love.

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        Female Children were liked to be very beautiful whereas Jane was “plain”. They were also supposed to be a typical Victorian child and be accomplished in things like music and embroidery. Jane played a little piano but not very well. A good example of a Victorian child living up to society’s expectations is Adele brought into the story later as a contrast to Jane as a child.

In that day women were not expected to contest men’s opinions, like Jane does to John, and Jane tries to gain authority by addressing John as an equal, calling him cousin John ...

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