Jane Eyre Example #2 Essay Example

from a passive and genderless childhood to a tumultuous puberty. This transition is evident in Gateshead, where Jane rebels against the assault by John Reeds, which marks her shift into adolescence. Through her rebellion against Mrs. Reed and John, Jane asserts her feminist consciousness and desires to be seen as a respectable and worthy individual.

The aunt Reed labels Jane's behavior as sinful, leading her to be confined in the Red-room where she had an outburst of anger and passion. The room itself, rarely occupied, features a bed with sturdy mahogany pillars, secret drawers, wardrobes, and a jewel-chest. These attributes are closely linked to the female body. Additionally, the color red symbolizes emotions such as rage and passion as well as the physiological aspect of menstruation. This further emphasizes the gendered aspect of Jane's upbringing as an orphan.

The red-room is a symbolic ritual that represents Jane's transition from girlhood to womanhood. It signifies the growth and development of both male and female characters in Victorian society, which was repressed. In popular culture, "orphans" usually refers to male orphans. However, in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, the contrasting experiences of coming of age based on gender are highlighted. From the beginning of the novel, it becomes evident that Jane is distinct from her cousins. Her aunts desire for her to embrace a more sociable and childlike demeanor.

In her anger and passion, Jane deviates greatly from the expected behavior of a Victorian child who should be seen and not heard. During her time at the Lowood institution, Jane interacts with Helen Burns, a religious and submissive child who accepts her destiny. Despite being unjustly punished for something as

natural as having curly hair, Helen remains silent and endures the beatings. Additionally, her last name, Burns, symbolizes her selfless nature as she becomes the ideal victim.

Brocklehurst, the owner of Lowood Institution, declares that his purpose is to suppress the desires of the flesh in these girls. Lowood attempts to discipline its inmates by eradicating their individuality and by punishing and depriving them of sexual expression. Curiously, the conduct books of the Victorian era propagated the belief that rebellious, disobedient, and angry children would be damned. When Brocklehurst asks Jane how she can avoid damnation, she responds with a blend of childlike innocence and seriousness, saying "I must maintain good health and not die".

This passage provides insight into the pragmatic nature of a ten-year-old girl. It also contrasts the fates of Helen Burns, who dies from typhus fever, and Jane, who escapes the flu/epidemic. This raises the question of whether Charlotte intended to present an alternative viewpoint to conduct books and manuals. Bronte portrays the Lowood institution as harsh, but it is still preferable to the dreadful Dotheboys Hall in Nicholas Nickleby. The overarching concept behind these harsh measures was that punishing the body could save the soul.

Charlotte Bronte challenges traditional notions in Jane Eyre by offering a sympathetic portrayal of a rebellious child, ultimately transforming Victorian attitudes towards children. Despite being an orphan and living in poverty, Jane is forced to depend on the hospitality of Mrs. Reed. Unfortunately, Mrs. Reed and her children treat Jane with everything but equality, kindness, and affection. Nonetheless, Jane manages to grow into an independent young woman, highlighting the struggles faced by both Victorian men and women in

their pursuit of a livelihood.

The circumstances for middle-class women were considerably more intricate compared to men. These women had two options: they could marry affluent men or they could assume the role of governesses. Conversely, lower-class women had limited choices, as they were either employed as "factory hands" [Hard Times, Charles Dickens] or resorted to prostitution. On the other hand, upper-class women were forbidden from engaging in any form of work; although they might face starvation, they would not compromise their family's honor by seeking employment under someone else. The governesses found themselves ensnared in an ambiguous social hierarchy.

The governess, a servant confined to strict societal expectations of diligence and selflessness, finds herself in a unique position as both a lower servant and someone endowed with intellect and refinement essential to her role as an educator. Consequently, she resides in an uncertain realm, belonging neither to the family nor the servant class. Wealthy women from educated middle and upper classes had the means to pursue writing careers, but even they were not exempt from challenges.

The Bronte sisters (Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, and Anne Bronte) as well as George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) were female novelists who used male pseudonyms to prevent their writings from being dismissed based on their gender. Charlotte Bronte adopted the pseudonym Curer Bell, Emily Bronte used Elis Bell, and Anne Bronte chose Acton Bell. Mary Ann Evans selected the male pseudonym George Eliot because she wanted her books to be judged solely on merit, rather than being pre-judged due to her gender.

Incidentally, Jane Austen chose not to use a pseudonym for her works but instead published them anonymously. As a result,

her writing was often labeled as 'masculine'. These female novelists portrayed the lives of Victorian women through their main characters or heroines. In novels such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, the mothers of the heroines are determined to see their daughters get married. Even Mrs. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice willingly accepts Lydia's elopement with Wickham. Similarly, in Jane Eyre, Jane finds fulfillment through her marriage to Mr. Rochester. The question of marriage is also addressed subtly in the narrative of Mill on the Floss.

Neither Maggie’s mother can afford nor does she think of her marriage, let alone having her wedded rich. Interestingly, Jane is much less affected by societal pressures, whereas Maggie's life is doomed when she attempts to conform to societal norms and ultimately takes her own life prematurely. Initially, Maggie was a rebellious child like Jane, but later she succumbs to societal norms and conventions of morality and immorality. Tom is Maggie’s entire world, whereas Jane finds hers in Mr. Rochester, her suitor and husband. Furthermore, Jane passionately expresses her emotions while Maggie conceals her feelings and suffers silently.

In this passage, Maggie Tulliver is portrayed as the typical Victorian woman who is expected to be passive and submissive. Despite this expectation, Maggie faces mistreatment from society and is even rejected by her own brother, Tom Tulliver. On the other hand, Jane represents a different kind of Victorian woman, one who is educated, passionate, and rebellious. She challenges Rochester by asking if he sees her as emotionless and robotic. Jane can be compared to characters like Oliver Twist and Philip Pirrip from Great Expectations, who are considered heroic figures in

Victorian literature.

In Jane Eyre, aside from Jane herself, we encounter Adele, Mr. Rochester's ward, whose parentage is uncertain. Her father is unknown, and her mother is deceased. Jane assumes the role of a surrogate mother to Adele. While Mr. Rochester assumes responsibility for her financial support, he has minimal interaction with the girl apart from presenting her with gifts upon returning to Thornfield Hall after extended periods of absence. During the Victorian era, people held the belief that individuals were not born equal. Those in higher social ranks looked down upon those in lower ranks, and men were considered superior to women.

As a result, women like Jane experience inequality in every area. When Jane realizes this unfairness, she constantly resists in her quest for equal rights. Being from the lowest social class, Jane is regularly treated condescendingly by the wealthy and powerful. People like her are deprived of dignity as the privileged have the freedom to disrespect them at will. Nevertheless, Jane Eyre refuses to succumb to these arrogant individuals who look down upon the poor and vulnerable with close-mindedness and cruelty.

Throughout her life, Jane Eyre tirelessly dedicates herself to advocating for the respect and recognition that she believes every human deserves, as opposed to it being a privilege reserved for the wealthy. She commits all of her efforts towards earning admiration and esteem from those around her, triumphing over feelings of inferiority in each relationship and emerging as superior. Through unwavering perseverance, Jane ultimately attains complete independence. In essence, Jane Eyre surpasses being merely a Victorian novel; Jane herself transcends being just an individual. Rather, the novel sheds light on the harsh realities

of the Victorian era while Jane embodies the experiences and struggles faced by any educated, middle-class Victorian woman.

The caveat is that not all girls have, and in most cases do not have, a fairy tale ending like the one found in the story of Jane Eyre, where Jane and Rochester reconcile. Additionally, Jane's consistent efforts and challenges to overcome the double marginalization she experiences due to her class and gender reflect her determination as a confident Victorian woman. Thus, Charlotte Bronte uses Jane Eyre as a conduct book to illustrate essential virtues that women should possess and to critique marriages that are based on convenience rather than the qualities of the mind, which truly determine a woman's worth.