Jane Eyre is a declaration of feminine independence

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Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Bronte

Task 4 – Jane Eyre is a declaration of feminine independence

        

         In Jane Eyre the main example of feminine independence is Jane herself. Jane didn’t let herself be controlled by any men that she meet and she stood up for her moral principles and beliefs. The main example of this is when she left Mr. Rochester, after finding out he was already married to Bertha Mason during her own wedding to him in chapter 27. Even though after talking to him Jane seems to question her decision but is resolved to “keep the law given by God, not by man,” (page 356). Leaving Mr. Rochester therefore meant she was taking the morally correct route in the eyes of God other than what she ultimately wanted. Jane stood up for herself, for example the time John Reed hits her after finding her hiding behind the curtains in the breakfast room and she hits him back (chapter 1). Though in the future she does regret her hitting him back, as she would rather have a control and self- discipline over herself rather than other people. Her attitude of needing to have self discipline over herself could have been developed because of the attitude at the time when children and women should be seen and not heard due to the male dominated world in the 1800’s.

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        Throughout Jane’s adult life she makes her own decisions. For example she leaves Lowood (chapter 10), leaves Thornfield (chapter 27) and leaves Moor House to return to Mr. Rochester (chapter 36). Even though the decisions Jane made were by herself other people and situations influenced them for example Miss Temple getting married and leaving Lowood, finding out Mr. Rochester was already married to Bertha Mason and hearing Mr. Rochester’s voice when at Moor House, respectively.

        Before Jane received the legacy her Uncle had left her Jane was reliant on her career as a governess without which she wouldn’t have been ...

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