Show clearly through reference to the novel, the development of Jane's character in Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Jane Eyre'

Authors Avatar
Show clearly through reference to the novel, the development of Jane’s character in Charlotte Bronte’s novel ‘Jane Eyre?’ The development of Jane Eyre’s character is central to the novel written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847. The era of that time reflects many of the themes throughout the book such as social class, and equality. Women brought up in this era were taught how to be a lady, learning skills such as sewing, painting, and languages. It is a story of someone who just wants to be loved, be valued, and to have a sense of belonging. The story, very much like an autobiography of Jane’s life, starts at childhood, following her right up to adulthood. We learn of how she grows as a person, in mind, body, and spirit, and how her confidence grows. She matures as a woman of her time, learning how to keep her dignity, and pride within her. Set in the Yorkshire moors, the novel describes Jane of plain appearance, however, she possesses strong spirit and great courage. We first see Jane at Thornfield, as a ten-year-old orphan, staying with her widowed aunt Mrs Reed, and her three cousins, John, Georgiana, and Eliza. Jane is made to feel unwanted, isolated and neglected in this big large house. Even though John Reed torments her, it makes her aware of her rights as a human being, which develops the character Jane. The first place we see her development grow is when Jane is sent away from the family room, as Mrs Reed tells her that until she can be more sociable she will not be accepted with her cousins. So she seeks refuge in a book in the next room behind the curtain, where she is happy and content. However this feeling never lasts long living at Thornfield. It is not long before John Reed comes in and disturbs the silence. ‘You have no business to take our books; you are a dependant, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live with gentlemen’s children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear the clothes at our mama’s expense.’ Jane is made to feel guilty, and to believe that she is not worthy to live under such fine conditions, and to think that she lived with people of much higher class than her, even though they are her family.   He threw the book at her, splitting her head open. Jane has a rush of adrenaline, and snaps back at him. She no longer could hold her patience, and the two cousins fought. The fact that John was a big man frightened Jane, but the important point is that she stood up for herself. However, when Mrs Reed and the two servants become aware of the fight, they hold Jane responsible for it ‘for shame! For shame! Cried the lady’s maid. ‘What shocking conduct Miss Eyre, to strike a young gentlemen, your benefactress’s son! Your young master.’ condemned the two servants are told to send her to the red room, a spare room at Thornfield, where Mr Reed died. Being in this room is a traumatic experience for her. She is locked up in the room for quite some time, with her thoughts of the injustice of the happenings of that day, and her feelings of being an outcast. In the red room, she had to be brave and courageous, and this experience made her develop these qualities. Remembering Mr Reed died in this room, she panics thinking maybe spirits were also with her in the room. She screams and awakes the household, to let her out of the room. However, Mrs Reed kept her word, and made her stay in the room longer, ‘…its my duty to show you that tricks will not answer: you will now stay here an hour longer…’ While locked in, Jane, believing that she sees her uncle’s ghost screams and faints. But the experience made her stronger. The Reed’s belittled her, and made her feel as if she was an outcast, bringing her up to believe that she was not worthy of anything. In the red room, she had time to think of her life at Gateshead Hall ‘I was a discord at Gateshead Hall: I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage.’ She was made to feel a nuisance, and a waste of space. She had no feeling of love or affection, and yearned to find out what that felt like. They saw her as a troublemaker ‘I strove to fulfil every duty, and I was termed naughty and tiresome, sullen and sneaking, from morning to noon, and from noon to night.’ The injustice of what happened to
Join now!
her, and how Mrs Reed treated her, whirled round in her mind. To go through such hard times so young showed bravery beyond her years, bravery she had to develop by herself. The Red Room taught her how to be brave, a lesson she kept through her life. At Gateshead Hall, her development of self confidence and determination became more obvious each day.                                When Jane finds herself in the care of Mr Lloyd, she experiences a sense of kindness and affection, something she had never felt before. Mr Lloyd was the apothecary. Sending the apothecary, not the doctor, shows how ...

This is a preview of the whole essay