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Essay / Victorian Novel Analysis: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Charlotte Bronte wrote the Victorian novel Jane Eyre with the intention of telling the story of how a simple governess, Jane Eyre, managed to challenge the notion of what is a conventional woman during her life. the Victorian era was able to accomplish with courage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Jane tells her story through a strong narrative voice which is one of the many factors, along with her strength and perseverance, that allow Jane to be an unconventional female heroine. Throughout her life, it is astonishing how Jane refuses to conform to what a conventional woman is expected to accomplish. Instead of conforming to what women were supposed to be, she managed to triumph over adversity and lived her life as a strong, independent woman who could rely on herself. One of the first adversities Jane faced on an ongoing basis was her home life. . Jane was raised by a neglectful aunt who punished her unfairly. Jane was also raised alongside her spoiled cousins, they would attack her and get her into trouble because they knew they could. When Jane says: "I am not deceitful: if I were, should I say that I love you, but I declare that I love you not: I hate you the worst of anyone in the world, at l 'exception of John Reed' (Bronte 32). The reader is able to paint a clear picture of the constant conflict that took place between Jane and Mrs. Reed. She lived in a neglected house where she was treated with constant indignity. Despite the fact that everyone was ganging up against her and the woman was considered a second-class citizen at that time, Jane still had the courage to stand up for herself and express her hatred. and anger. An example of Jane being mistreated early on is shown when the author states, "She never saw him hit or heard him abuse me, although he did both from time to time in her presence" ( Brontë 6). Jane's cousin constantly physically and mentally abuses her without consequence because her mean aunt always seems to look the other way. The one time Jane fights back, Mrs. Reed immediately takes John's side and unjustly punishes Jane: "Take her to the Red Room and lock her up there. (Bronte) This example shows a showdown for Jane, even though she knows that John will go unpunished and that she will get into trouble, she knowingly defies the "take it" attitude of a conventional woman and fights back against her spoiled cousin John. that she's not going to let herself be pushed around. Jane has the courage to pursue the idea of being sent to a school called Lowood, which was already defying society's moral codes because women weren't supposed to. receive such a formal education, "it was assumed that a girl would marry and therefore did not need formal education, as long as she could be beautiful, entertain her husband's guests, and have a reasonable number of children." (Picard) Jane starts off at Lowood on a bad note after her evil aunt tells Mr. Brocklehurst, the headmaster of Lowood, that she cannot be trusted and is a liar who didn't want to tell the truth. Mr. Brocklehurst believes Mrs. Reed, while ignoring the defense that Jane tried to refute and publicly shaming her by making her stand in front of the class by herself, while telling everyone that she was a liar. Fortunately, Jane receives some comfort when Miss Temple explains that Mr. Brocklehurst is just a miserable man. "Mr. Brocklehurst is not a God: he is not even a great man andadmired: he is little appreciated here." (Bronté). Jane accepts her unjust punishment without resistance. Mr. Brocklehurst has called her a liar under false pretenses, but finds comfort in the fact that it is better to be his enemy that a friend always has his own opinion which will not be suppressed for the sake of a man's welfare. For example Rochester, headmaster of Thornfield, asks Jane "You are examining me, Miss Eyre," he said; ¨Do you find me handsome?¨ (Bronte 157) Jane blurts out an honest answer: “No, sir” Jane apologizes for not being more politically correct but Rochester doesn't seem to care. Now, Rochester does. had asked Blanche Ingram the same question, she would have responded with a compliment on her beauty She is a perfect example of how a Victorian woman would behave with a man of such high status Jane refuses to conform to the ideals. that she would have to act with a man of Rochester's stature to sacrifice her moral convictions. Jane and Rochester fall in love because of love and not for other reasons common at the time, like money or status. Jane Eyre tells her story of becoming a fierce and independent woman through a strong narrative voice. A passage expressing how Jane feels inadequate and Rochester states: “Do you think that because I am poor, obscure, simple and small, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and as much of a full heart! And if God had blessed me with some beauty and much wealth, I would have made it as difficult for you to leave me as it is now for me to leave you. I do not speak to you now through customs, conventions, nor even mortal flesh: it is my spirit which speaks to your spirit; as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at the feet of God, equal — as we are! This passage emphasizes that Jane views Rochester and her as equals. The very idea that Jane, a “mere governess,” views her lover as her equal is unheard of in the Victorian era and a very big problem. Jane's strong-willed nature is one of the main qualities that Rochester falls in love with. Jane's strong will also allows her to make Rochester understand that they are on equal footing, regardless of their difference in social status. After Jane's marriage to Rochester ends, she discovers that Rochester has a pre-existing wife who is living in secret. with them, Jane realizes that she does not need Rochester and that she is a strong and independent woman. She says: “I take care of myself. The more lonely I am, without friends, without support, the more I will respect myself. I will observe the law given by God; sanctioned by man. . . Laws and principles are not made for times when there is no temptation. (Bronte) Jane is able to say no to a marriage that would go against her moral values because of her strength and dignity. Jane places herself above Rochester, this shows how capable she is of refusing society's expectations and being independent at a time when most women would have stayed with Rochester because of his wealth and because they cannot rely on themselves. This independence alone proves what an unconventional female heroine Jane was. Additionally, although Rochester is the love of her life, Jane still does not compromise her integrity to run away with Rochester and live the rest of her life as his mistress. Another example of Jane's ability to have strength under pressure from men is shown when Jane says, "Should I?" » I said briefly; and I looked at his features, beautiful in their harmony. . . but like his wife – always at his side, always restrained and..