Jane Eyre - Was she a woman of her times?
Dinah Youziel
English Coursework
Jane Eyre
Was she a woman of her times?
Jane Eyre is a pre-twentieth century novel set in rural England. The novel written by Charlotte Bronte chronicles the progression of a 19th century child to adulthood. The story is placed in a time when women - particularly in northern England - were seen as second-class citizens, inferior to men, and required to be obedient to them. To be a lady wasn't defined through one's character or actions, but by social breeding, physical beauty and musical accomplishment. In most cases these character traits were to assure a woman (in most cases) a wealthy, but loveless arranged marriage. Girls that were orphaned, due to their parents dying from one of various diseases prominent at the time, were often resented if taken in by wealthy relatives. Alternatively they were simply cast away, in institutions that would neglect and abuse them. Yet they were obliged to accept, and silently endure this treatment, as a benefit to them and their ostensibly wicked, indulgent lives.
Bronte transcribes much of her own life and experiences in to the character of Jane Eyre, just as Bronte quite clearly through her writing is an independent and passionate woman, so is Jane Eyre. Jane consciously and proudly contradicts all that is expected of her 19th century lifestyle, adamantly refusing to submit to the characteristics others try to impose on her. Instead, throughout the novel she seeks to fulfil her own expectations and desires, such as independence, knowledge, and most importantly the need to love and be loved and to be loved in return.
Jane's life consists of five significant episodes, being Gateshead, Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, Morton, and subsequently her marriage to Rochester. Bronte cleverly gives us warning as to how Jane's life will develop, through the name given to each chapter. Even though she is already ten years old, Jane's time at Gateshead metaphorically opens the 'gate' to her life. This is because it is then and there that Jane's character is clearly defined, and set apart from other females of her time. It is also a time when Jane's life begins to progress into what will eventually make her a woman.
"The cold winter had brought with it clouds so sombre
and a rain so penetrating."
The readers' first introduction to Jane sets the mood of both the book and its title character. Dissimilar to the majority of ten year olds at the time, Jane is not euphorically happy; neither does she attempt to delude herself that she is. The environment Jane uses to reflect her emotions, not only portray her as strongly self-educated, but it also shows the powerfully imaginative mind she possesses. From the start it is obvious that Jane is not the lowly, content orphan that her situation should have left her confined to. Despite being just ten years old, Jane wants more than superficial happiness, but hasn't yet been able to convey this.
Jane's situation is far from uncommon at that time, but the way in which she chooses to deal with it is. The orphan of a mother disowned for marrying below her, as a baby Jane was entrusted to her mother's brother. After his death she was left in the care of his wife, Mrs Reed - to bring up Jane alongside her own children, John, Eliza and Georgiana. Out of resentment Mrs Reed isolates Jane in the house, branding her as 'less than a servant,' because she does not earn her keep and does not have the means to. Despite this, according to Victorian conduct Jane was required to appreciate the house and not home that she lived in, being obliged to show gratitude towards her benefactress. Jane does not, and sees books as providing a temporary means of escape from her unhappy life at Gateshead.
Jane is regularly abused by her cousin John, but when she retaliates to his violent behaviour, it is then that the full extent of Jane's passionate character is revealed. In an act unbecoming of her station and gender, Jane physically as well as verbally begins to oppose all injustice against her, regardless of where it comes from:
"Accustomed to John Reed's abuse, my care was how to endure the blow...He ran headlong at me,
I really saw in him a tyrant: a murderer...Did you ever see such a picture of passion."
Jane appears to have come to the realisation that she doesn't have to be a pacifist, and can unleash her emotions unrestrained whenever, and on whomever she pleases. After coming into this knowledge Jane's passion begins to intensify. Her encounter with John Reed is quite significant, it enables her to visually display her presence in a house that ignores her, and a desire not to be neglected. The incident also establishes that Jane is strong in both mind and character, qualities that most 19th century women were oblivious to.
Social class plays an important part in Jane's life, and also marks a distinct difference between herself and the wealthy Reeds.
"No, I should not like to belong to poor people."
Jane's life at Gateshead isn't one that she enjoys, but tolerates as she feels she is entitled to opportunities she wouldn't have if she were poor. If her mother wasn't disinherited Jane would have been financially independent, but she doesn't stay with the Reeds in the hope that it may still happen. Realistically Jane knows that it isn't feasible; she stays with the Reeds because she knows with them that she can achieve the ambition of an education no matter how modest it may be.
These ideals of Jane's were strongly opposed by that of Eliza and Georgiana Reed, who in contrast are quite typically the idyllic 19th century girls. Unlike Jane, the Reed girls are not ambitious or want an education. They are prepared to continue life the way that they are, and never oppose injustice against others, as Eliza and Georgiana are quite happy with their lives. The girls also apart from having different morals also having contradictory characters, Jane is passionate and lets her emotions play a part in her judgements and actions, whereas the Reed girls tend to be motivated by the need to appear composed and beautiful.
"If she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness...at any rate, a beauty
like Miss Georgiana would be more moving in the same condition."
It seems that the financial status that is already a hindrance for Jane is supplemented because she does not require any of the qualities requiring her to be a lady: wealth, physical beauty, or musical talent. Her aunt resents being her benefactress, and simply because she is not as pretty as Georgiana, other find it hard to be compassionate towards her. Georgiana's blonde curls, and rosy cheeks are quite the contrary to Jane's dark hair, shallow cheeks, and pale skin. However what Jane lacks in beauty she makes up for in character, choosing to openly speak her mind - even questioning Mrs Reed's morals on several occasions.
"Aunt Reed...people think you are a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted
You are deceitful."
To speak to her benefactress in such a way was a shock to both Mrs Reed and Jane, as it was something that no Victorian child would dare do - apart from Jane. They were taught to show immense respect towards parents referring to them as 'sir' and 'madam.' Jane ignore this requirement, caring more for the need of justice than the consequences that may arise in her battle for it, once again emphasising her strength of character. Her obscurity in Victorian society was so rare that she was thought of as disobedient, deceitful and as offensive as it was evil. Jane didn't take to these comments kindly, she knew that she appeared anomalous to those around her, and instead of trying to conform to their desires for her behaviour, she tries to show them their own faults in wanting to change her. An example of this is way Jane is first introduced to her to the man who will provide her schooling - Mr Brocklehurst, for the reason that Mrs Reed can no longer cope with a child as defiant as Jane. The language that Jane uses to describe Brocklehurst tells us a lot about her first impression of the man.
"I looked up at a black pillar! Such, at least, appearing to me, at first sight, the straight narrow
sable clad shape, the grim face at the top was a carved mask placed above the shaft by way of capital."
Mr Brocklehurst is portrayed so descriptively and metaphorically as a symbol of everything that oppressed Jane. She speaks of him in a gothic style, and so in effect Mr Brocklehurst should be an object of fear towards young children. Jane behaves in divergence, choosing to act defiantly towards him, which again sets her apart from other ...
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"I looked up at a black pillar! Such, at least, appearing to me, at first sight, the straight narrow
sable clad shape, the grim face at the top was a carved mask placed above the shaft by way of capital."
Mr Brocklehurst is portrayed so descriptively and metaphorically as a symbol of everything that oppressed Jane. She speaks of him in a gothic style, and so in effect Mr Brocklehurst should be an object of fear towards young children. Jane behaves in divergence, choosing to act defiantly towards him, which again sets her apart from other females of her time. When, in an attempt to outsmart Jane and enforce humility into her, Brocklehurst asks her how to avoid hell. In response Jane shows her wit and logical thinking by answering 'not to die.' It is clearly not the answer that Brocklehurst expected, and accentuates the dissimilarity in views between he and Jane. Mr Brocklehurst is in fact a religious hypocrite, whose 'Christian' teachings concentrate on sin and obedience, rather than on tolerance and love - an emotion Jane craves to experience. Even though Brocklehurst himself says that humility is a Christian grace, he does not practise it, instead he enforces harshness and humility upon all pupils at his school, and wishes to strip them of all possible vanity. Yet ironically at the same time he indulges his clearly proud and conceited daughters. This is the epitome of the character that Jane despises and challenges because of their abuse of power. It just simply isn't in Jane's distinctive nature to be passive towards Mr Brocklhurst's behaviour, as many had previously done.
In the next stage of Jane's life she is at Lowood School, a name that indicates the humble, social position she is about to inhabit, and the way that she will subsequently be treated. It is also at Lowood that Jane meets Helen Burns, and despite their different characters, the two become close friends, with Helen having quite an influence over the young Jane.
At Lowood Jane encounters girls the same age, and in the same situation as herself and for the first time sees how different she is from girls of her time.
"A congregation of girls of every age, their number to me appeared countless...you and I
are charity children ...the punishment seemed to me in a high degree ignominious
especially for a girl...I expected signs of distress and shame; though composed she stood."
The extent of Jane's knowledge of she should behave was confined to what the Reeds tried to impose on her, but now she sees that her rebellious attitude towards life as an orphan is not shared with her female equivalents. The inhabitants of Lowood like Jane are poor, humble and modest in their appearance, actions and thoughts. Jane on the other hand does not find treatment at Lowood fair, and once again does not wish to accept her circumstances, which she reacts to with the same passionate, inquisitive responses as she did at Gateshead.
Jane strikes up conversation with a girl at the time unknown her, called Helen Burns. She gains the courage to do so through their mutual interest in books, the one Helen reading being Rasselas by Dr Johnson.
"A brief examination convinced me that...Rasselas looked dull to my trifle taste...I returned it
to her...about to lapse into her former studious mood."
It is a work informing that one should contend with life with patience, and acceptance of one's fate. This gives us an idea of Helen's temperament, just as Jane's unenthusiastic approach to it tells us of hers. Jane's impetuous, untrained character contrasts with that of Helen's, which is humble, patient and mature far beyond her years, and through this example Jane's wildness is influenced and tamed, and for the first time Jane begins to share a loving bond with her excepted mentor. Jane is free loving, and her views based on instinctive reactions to injustice, whereas Helen's on careful thought and consideration. Helen compares Jane's Christian views of 'love thy neighbour' to that of 'savage tribes,' whereas she chooses to interpret it with accepting all wrongs directed towards her as she finds them irrelevant on earth, and looks forward to her spiritual life. Helen is the embodiment of what 'charity children' should be and how they should behave, and Jane begins to follow her disciplined example.
"I suspected that she might be right."
When Jane sees a fellow student enduring punishment passively she is convinced that she would react differently, that she would be and uphold her principles. Although when she is put into the same position as the girl previously, unlike the way that she had reacted to John Reed at Gateshead, Jane conducts herself in the same way.
"Like all rebel slaves, I felt resolved in my desperation to go all lengths...there I was, then mounted
aloft...I mastered the rising hysteria, lifted my head up, and stood firm on the stool."
In the past Jane has reacted strongly, and unrestrained not caring for consequences, but wanting to clear her name from slurs placed on it by others. Through her humiliation Mr Brocklehurst describes Jane as a liar, an interloper and one of the devil's agents, purely from the information given to him by Mrs Reed. In her mind Jane thinks of retaliating with the truth, of Mrs Reed's true character, and the abuse she would in turn deliver to Brocklehurst, but for the first time Jane controls the emotions and thoughts in her mind, and does not let them pass to her mouth. She has taken on board Helen's exceptive approach to life, and this is the first sign of Jane's character beginning to develop and mature. Jane is still passionate towards all that she was before, and still acknowledges injustice, but she learns to handle this in a controlled manner, rather than appearing as a wild and coarse child. Jane comes to terms with life at Lowood and the poor conditions; she seeks to clear her name by showing her true character, not shouting about it. As a result Jane sees the value in Helen's approach to life, and her admiration for her increases, as does the pairs bond. During her time at Lowood, Jane has revere and looked up to Helen Burns. It is quite likely that she sees Helen as the motherly figure that she never had. Both are different to the people around them, and feel that they way they are treated is unjust; however the outlook that they take on this matter is also differs. Helen has the more mature approach and as she is the eldest of the two, her views influence that of Jane's. Helen does not try to change Jane, but as a mother would, she guides and shapes her from an unruly child to a strong and opinionated person. Jane benefits greatly from Helen's teachings, learning to be passionate as well as controlled. Although Jane still cannot remain unmoved in the face of injustice, and the neglectful way in which the pupils of Lowood are treated re-awakens the passion in Jane, because it leads to Helen developing typhus and dying.
Lowood was the cradle of...semi-starvation and neglected colds...into it breathed typhus...disease
Had thus become and inhabitant of Lowood, and deaths its frequent visitor."
At that point Helen was the most stable person in Jane's life whom she chose to direct a lot of her affection and trust, in all sense of the word Helen was Jane's family, she taught, loved and consoled Jane in her times of need, and Jane passionately returned this love. Helen's death was a real testing point in Jane's life; we are able to see the loving side of Jane's passion.
"I clasped my arms closer around round Helen; she seemed dearer to me than ever;
I'll stay with you Helen: no one shall take me away."
Jane is clearly saddened by Helen's imminent death, and tries to hold on to her friend as long as she possibly can, not wanting to leave her. She saw Helen as a lifelong companion, someone that she could always have in her life, but instead of showing her fiery temperament, which she most probably would have done, before she met Helen, Jane chooses to mourn her in a composed manner with serenity, and even though Jane possessed the mind and imagination greater than any woman of her time, at ten years old Jane now has the disposition to match.
The next eight years of Jane's life are described as uniform but unhappy due to its inactiveness. Although Jane has achieved her ambition of an education, and promotion to the post of teacher at a reformed Lowood she still wants more in life. After being confined to the school for so many years, Jane desires liberty, and to make her own way in the world. She wishes to explore, and after many years Jane rediscovers her adventurous nature, using her accomplished education to take on positions as a governess.
This path eventually leads Jane to hold a post at Thornfield Hall, and to govern French student Adele Varens, a lively, extrovert child. The name given to what Jane shall call home is an indication to the trouble that will plague Jane's life. She is about to become entangled, in the painful thorns already present in the house. However after her harsh experiences at Lowood Jane is eventually able to survive, and not let her predicament consume her, as many other 19th century women would have done in her position.
Whilst Jane still craves affection and love, she has grown in character with her experiences of life making her wary of forming strong relationships with people.
"The promise of a smooth career Thornfield Hall seemed to pledge was not belied on an
acquaintance with the place and its inmates."
Jane wants to find her own happiness in life, without it being reliant on the presence of others, as it previously was with Helen Burns. With adulthood bearing on her Jane wants to gain everything in life independently, and not from what others give her. A completely different approach to how the likes of Georgiana Reed was prepared to live; taking what others gave her because of her looks.
Yet Jane is still not fulfilled in her life, she feels that she was obliged to become a governess, since it was the only independent route open to her. She is very aware of her lack of opportunities, and believes that women have more to offer than paid companionship - which was only a choice for 'beautiful ladies.'
"It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied tranquillity; they must have action ...millions are
condemned to a stiller doom than mine...women are supposed to be calm generally; but women feel just as
men feel...they suffer from too rigid a constraint and it is narrow-mindedness in their more privileged fellow
creatures to say they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting socks, to play on the piano
and embroider bags."
In this one passage, Jane clearly sets herself apart from women of her time. She speaks of something that most women wouldn't dare, or just didn't care about - equality between men and women. Jane speaks about it so fervently, and with conviction in an attempt to prove her worth is that of any a man's. In the 19th century women were thought of as the inferior sex, whose minds weren't equal to that of a man's, but here Jane challenges that notion. She basically says that even though they aren't treated so, men and women are created equally and should have the same options. To the majority of both men and women in those times, this would have seemed an absurd concept, but in these times it would be seen as true, implying that Jane thinks beyond her years.
The owner of Thornfield Hall, and employer of Jane is a mysterious man called Mr Rochester, who at 38 is twenty years Jane's senior. Despite this the pair start of with a frank relationship, and are clearly at ease in each other's presence
Mr Rochester comments that Jane has the 'look of another world,' which is a true interpretation, Jane's perspective on live is from a world years ahead of her own. While Jane is intrigued by this enigmatic, striking - but not handsome - man newly placed in her life. The traditional master - servant relationship soon breaks down between the two, and it looks as if Jane has finally found an equal in her life, just as ardent as she is. Though in the reality outside Thornfield, Jane is still seen as inferior to Rochester, and to all upper class society, for she is no more than a governess without breeding and money. It is thought that Rochester would be more suited to the graceful Miss Blanche Ingram, and this veracity soon brings Jane crashing down to earth.
"Jane Eyre...portrait of a governess, disconnected, poor and plain...but Blanche
Ingram was certainly the queen ...she was greatly admired of course and not only for he beauty but
Also for her accomplishments...I should probably have been unequal to maintain even externally."
Jane has harshly re-instated her place in the 'order' of society, but clearly still has strong feelings for Rochester. For the first time Jane admits to herself that she is in love with Mr Rochester, and it is apparent that through the way she behaves Jane has an extremely passionate character. Jane has a very idealistic view of love, and cannot comprehend the idea of a 'marriage of convenience,' that was common amongst the upper class at that time, and clearly favoured by Blanche. Jane perceives Blanche as a hunter, which is why she compares her to Diana - a Greek goddess. She can see that Blanche does not loves or even hold strong feelings for Rochester, only his money and the position that she will gain in society by marrying him. So in effect she is hunting for a husband an activity exercised by a lot of 19th century women, but in contrast Jane looks for someone to fulfil her, not her social status. Things such as that, which were essential to women of her time, are irrelevant and inconsequential to Jane, an explanation as to why she scolds Adele for being superficial.
When Jane is summoned to Gateshead at the request of her dying aunt, it is there that she discovers she had a wealthy uncle. Only Mrs Reed lied about Jane's existence, and prevented her from gaining a substantial inheritance, that would have raised her social status. Upon hearing this Jane instantaneously forgives her aunt, and only takes what is owed her. By doing this Jane demonstrates her independence, and her learning from Helen to forgive, and accept. Jane was able to return to Gateshead because of her greater maturity and self-confidence. She no longer resents the Reeds, or needs their emotional support, and so is free of them.
When on returning to Thornfield, Jane and Rochester admit their feelings for each other; her life appears to be complete. Jane has her happiness, passion, love and independence; she still shuns fine clothes and wishes to remain on equal terms with Rochester.
" I though only of the bliss given to me to drink in so abundant a flow."
Upon discovering the existence of Rochester's wife Bertha, Jane's character is once again put to the test. It also shows how differently Jane reacts to such situations, compared to that of a typical 19th century woman. She experiences an inner battle, between her feelings and her 'intolerable duty.' Jane truly loves Rochester for himself, and not his financial and social positions, otherwise she wouldn't be tormented in the way that she is.
"What was I to do...I experienced an ordeal, a hand of fiery iron, full of struggle
blackness, burning! Not a human being that ever lived could wish to be loved better
than I was loved; and him who loved me I absolutely worshipped: and I must renounce love and idol."
This is undoubtedly one of the most painful times in Jane's life, but in terms of her being so autonomous, it is also one of her most commendable. Jane has the love and passion that she has wanted all her life; her love for Rochester is so strong that she worships him. Still, Jane struggles over what to do, and by doing what she believes to be right she is rebelling against the fervent side of her nature. Over the years she has grown to the realisation that for her ideologies to be taken seriously, she must uphold her integrity, depicted as a hand of iron. The moral sense of right and wrong that Jane acquired from the teachings of Helen Burns are still influencing her judgement.
Other women of Jane's time that would consider their selves inferior to men would have obeyed Rochester's request for Jane to stay. In the case of their being financially independent, they wouldn't have deliberated so intensely about leaving him. In departing from Rochester in the way that she does, Jane shows both her emotional discipline and determined spirit. I Jane had stayed at Thornfield Hall, all of her integrity and ardour would disintegrate. She would have gone against the structure of her entire character, and in the end would have descended into exactly the state as all other women of her time.
Jane then moves on from this painfully complex chapter in her live, and in reflection of what she has experienced enter a part of her life that is rather sombre, and almost 'dead' at the village of Morton. After having the strength to survive a period of isolation, destitution and begging, Jane is taken in by the Rivers family
"A kind of passion stupor was stealing over me as I sat by the genial fire,"
Throughout the novel, two symbols of comfort to Jane have been fire and food, giving suggestions of her being comfortable in her new surroundings. Jane speaks of being content and grateful, and despite its low status takes the position as village schoolmistress. Even in her present state Jane still yearns for independence, but its what she doesn't say that is important. Jane still has the same basis to her character, but all the traits that supplemented that are gone, and as the name of the village indicates that part of her is provisionally dead. At this point in her life Jane is living like other women of her time, despite having left Rochester to avoid this occurrence. Here Bronte brings in two other women of Jane's time that she can be compared to - Diana and Mary Rivers. They can also be used to contrast Jane's character, because unlike Diana and Mary, Jane is not happy with her circumstances. Even now Jane has the desire to break free of her confined life, but it is her sense of duty and not acceptance that restrains her.
"They loved their sequestered home...I am sure you cannot long be content to devote your
working hours to a monotonous holly void of stimulus...pent in my nature that God gave me."
Bronte also introduces a third character to with whom Jane's character can be contrasted with, in the male form of Mr St John Rivers. In Jane's eyes, St John Rivers is everything that Rochester isn't and never could be.
"St John's eyes were difficult...the cold and stern brother...the intimacy which has
arisen so naturally between me and his sisters did not extend to him...there was a barrier
to friendship with him...no weather seemed to hinder him...the ice of reserve."
St John is a person that shows no emotion in his face or towards others, unlike his sisters or Rochester, and so due to this reserved state of his nature Jane is unable to sustain any intimacy with him. Even on hearing of the death of his uncle, he delivers that news to his sisters with an uncaring and detached manner. It is recognised that St John will crush all of his natural feelings in order to achieve his ambitions. Jane characterises this using metaphors of ice, marble and stone, to convey how strong her view of him is.
On hearing of the fortune that she has inherited and her blood links with the Rivers family, Jane feels that she is almost complete.
"Glorious discovery to a lonely wretch...in sudden joy you are born into my world full-grown."
The social status that money has brought Jane doesn't interest her, or play a dominant role in her life. It is the indefinite independence and knowledge of her cousins that over joys her. Therefore Jane feels obliged to divide her inheritance equally amongst her cousins. In doing this she shows that unlike the many women around her, such as Blanche Ingram, wealth is not important to her.
During the period when Diana and Mary are not residing at Moor House, Jane is left in the company of St John. It is at this time that Jan is keen to avoid his disapproval, but not because like with Rochester she wanted to, it is due to his 'not being a man to be lightly refuse.'
"I daily wished to please him, and that I must disown half my nature...force
myself to the adoption of pursuits for which I have no natural vocation...I
became fully aware I had fallen under a freezing spell."
St John is trying to suppress Jane's nature and mould her into the idyllic 19th century woman, once again leaving Jane to use imagery of coldness in relation to St John. In her mind he is freezing her personality and independence, so as to make her as reserved as his own person. Jane has wondered far from her true self, in which she previously would have fought back. Jane explains her behaviour by saying that she knows of no medium in which to deal with such antagonistic people. All she can do is wait 'the moment of bursting, she clearly anticipates to happen soon.
The trigger for this 'bursting' is when St John proposes to Jane, for the reason of his choosing to go to India as a missionary, and for Jane to accompany him as his wife. For St John it is obviously a marriage of convenience, desiring Jane in terms of labour and not love. As reasonable a proposal as this was in the 19th century, Jane sees it as 'enslavement.' There is none, and has never been any sort of passion between Jane and St John, his cold nature and inability to accept Jane's original character have barred that.
"He locks every feeling and pang within - expresses, confesses, imparts nothing...Jane
try to restrain your disproportionate fervour, don't cling so tenaciously; save your constancy
and ardour...but I did not love my servitude."
St John appears to have no emotional feelings toward Jane, believing that passion should be turned into a calm and detached love for all mankind. This is due to his believing that religion shapes every aspect of a person. These are the same religious view which were instituted at Lowood, and as Jane disliked being in the presence of Brocklehurst, she certainly is
not going to marry a replica of him. No matter how peculiar it would appear to those around her, if Jane were to marry without love, for her it would be a lie. From then on the spell is broken, and after difficulties with St John and her subconscious telling her it is the right thing to do, Jane returns to her true love - Rochester.
"My spirit is willing to do what is right, and my flesh, I hope is strong enough to accomplish
the will...on the road to Thornfield I felt the messenger pigeon flying."
Jane has now come to the knowledge that she belongs with Rochester, away from Morton and St John; Jane uses the simile o of a messenger pigeon because they have both done the same thing. Like the bird Jane has had to go away to complete a purpose, to become independent of Rochester in every possible way. With her financial status, Jane will no longer be perceived as inferior to, or dependant on Rochester. The money has also given her the confidence to be equal to Rochester, a relationship she could never have with St John.
When Jane reunites with Rochester, it is in circumstances that she could not have envisaged. Bronte puts this as the final test for Jane, and the results show that she is truly different from women of her time, and that her character has developed immensely from when she was ten years old.
"In his countenance I saw a change...his features altered...and reader do you think I
feared him in his blind ferocity? - if you do, you little know me. A crippled man, twenty
years my senior...whom [I] shall have to wait on...reader I married him!"
Due to Bertha setting fire to Thornfield and consequently dying, Jane finds Rochester disfigured and without wealth, but more importantly without a wife. She can marry him, free of any feelings of transgression. Contrary to the world around her, Jane does not care for physical beauty or financial wealth. To her it is the personality and spirit of a person that is more important. She proves this because she loved Rochester when he had the material goods rendering him a gentleman, and continues to do so when he ahs lost everything. Jane and Rochester's marriage also dispenses another disparage to 19th century social law. In the twist of fate dealt him by Bertha, Rochester is now dependant on Jane, both financially and physically. This is quite a role reversal, as Jane for a time takes the dominant role in a 19th century marriage, something that is rare even in the 21st century.
Through the actions of her mother Jane was already stigmatised, but this was augmented by her parents' death, and subsequent treatment by the Reeds. Jane didn't have the physicality or the wealth to signify her a lady. So Bronte appropriately compares her to Georgiana Reed and Blanche Ingram who epitomise female perfection at the time, so that it can be made obvious what Jane lacks. In accordance with Victorian society Jane cannot be placed in that category for females, and so is expected to conform to the lowly and accepting life of an orphan. The treatment she receives at the Reeds, and her opulently strong spirit makes her want to oppose injustice wherever she sees it, whether it is from a man or a woman.
Even though women of her time, particularly those in rural areas were reclusive, and studious to men's wishes, Jane refuses to do this. She wants to be an independent woman, despite it being extremely rare in her situation and time, depicting her as a 19th century feminist. (Years ahead of the Suffragettes, who in the early 20th century would take on the fight for equal opportunities.)
Just to observe the style in which Jane Eyre is written shows this; it is a novel rich in language, showing how well Jane is educated. The first person narrative in which it is written engage the reader in Jane's life, so much so that it becomes apparent that Jane does not once apologise for standing up to the men, or higher class women that aim to oppress her. It also shows how much Jane has grown, because she is able to put a present perspective on the actions that she has taken.
Many other characters, besides Georgiana Reed are used to contrast the temperament that Jane has chosen to uphold; Helen Burns is quite an important example of this. At the age of ten years old, Jane is the complete opposite to Helen, but their friendship prepared Jane for later live. Even though she is the same passionate person, under Helen's nurturing Jane learns to control herself. This prepares her for being compared to the personality of Edward Rochester. In terms of personality, Jane has found an equal in Rochester and he allows her to be, which is why she is able to find such passion with him. At the same time, Jane has grown to value her morals; she wants to do what is right, and so in her most courageous in the book gives up Rochester for her integrity. Then at Morton Jane also comes to the realisation that she cannot live without passion. For Jane being able to achieve these things in the 19th century once again depicts her as strong. It also signals the completion in Jane's life, something that many women of her where oblivious to, or were content to supplement any such desires with wealth.
19th century society was structured by wealth and social status, the novel Jane Eyre, and thus the narrator aim to break down those barriers. This is gradually displayed in the book, through Jane's development, for example when Jane, a rich woman, chooses to marry a cripple following in the footsteps of her disowned mother. Unlike any women of her time, Jane Eyre truly is one of the greatest heroines of world literature. The capacity of her mind, and the intellect it possessed by many decades surpassed the women of the 19th century.
