Jane sums herself up as, "a governess, disconnected, poor and plain." To what extent do you agree with her and in what ways is she much more than this?

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Ciara Mc Kendry                  Jane Eyre                           C’work

Jane sums herself up as, “a governess, disconnected, poor and plain.” To what extent do you agree with her and in what ways is she much more than this?

I believe this statement is untrue. Jane was a lot more than who she said she was. She started out as a reserved, isolated and lost child at

Gateshead, but gradually achieved a lot more in life. She gained confidence, independence and happiness, and developed the capacity to love.

Jane Eyre became an orphan at a very early age. She came to live with an Aunt and her children, who were disrespectful towards her, leading to her growing up in a hostile and restrictive environment. They incessantly undermined her self-esteem, forcing Jane to live her life in poverty, “…poverty for me was synonymous with degradation.”(p.19) As Jane grew up, with the Reed family perceiving her as an outcast, mean and a dependent, she gradually believed this was to be the truth, “I was a precocious actress in her eyes; she sincerely looked on me as a compound of virulent passions, mean spirit, and dangerous

duplicity.”(P.12) Her progression was inhibited, as the Reed family were aware and jealous of her potential and abilities.

Her cold and dark little figure with “arms specking the gloom,”(P.8/9) and “glittering eyes of fear,”(P.9) reveal her intimidation, passivity and timid approach to everything. Mrs Reed and her family leave her mentally and emotionally bruised. John was one of the main instigators and although he intimidated Jane, she kept headstrong and never let it show. “He ran headlong at me: I felt him grasp my hair and my shoulder.”(P.5) This shows how vicious John was but also shows how Jane persisted through the pain. She found it very hard to respect the family, but Miss Abbot constantly reminded her, “…you ought not to think yourself on an equality with the Misses and Master Reed…try to make yourself agreeable to them.”(P.7) Jane couldn’t do this as she said, “…they did not love me, in fact…little did I love them,”(P.10) meaning her compassion for the Reeds had been killed by their own doing.

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All Jane really wanted was a family or virtually any one person to love for her, care for her; but Mrs Reed showed no desire to do this. Mrs Reed explained that Jane had an uncle, but he was “a sneaking wine merchant, quite despicable.” Jane therefore believed she was better off without having any contact with him, which was quite the opposite, as her life could have been a lot more pleasant.

 

Jane was very innocent and pure, and although her emotions were often stirred, she had a strong conscience. When she moved to Lowood, she ...

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