Children, and young people, in general, are often seen as inferior because they have not had as much experience as those of an older age. That being said, it is common knowledge that as our age increases, we learn more and grow to be stronger individuals. This maturation is not necessarily all due to age and knowledge, though, but also is influenced by the person themselves, and what they allow. In the beloved novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, human development is highlighted as the reader travels with Jane through her struggles and growth. Jane’s maturation throughout the novel is evident as she migrates to different environments throughout her life, from Gateshead to Lowood, to Thornfield, due to her constant struggle against the cage she is trapped in by outside sources, and herself.
Jane’s childhood was a major factor in how she would grow as she aged, as are the early years of each person. Living with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her three cousins, who showed her little to no affection during her ten years with them but showed to be very intellectually capable and passionate as seen when she says to her cousin John Reed “‘You are like a murderer--you are like a slave-driver--you are like the Roman emperors!’” (6). Since John was the only male in Gateshead at the time, he naturally had a lot of power over Jane, historically speaking.
…show more content…
Given the chance, many people would argue that their freedom is the most important aspect of their lives; this idea of independence is emphasized as children grow into adults. Jane begins to crave this liberty at a very young age and does not stop until she is able to take hold of it with a firm grip. Though she will continue to grow until she is on her deathbed, she is on her way to sewing for herself a flag of personal
Ultimately, as a woman, she is a limited agent and can only do so much indecently. Jane breaks off from the domestic sphere to which she is confined
Mrs. Reed likewise separates Jane from the Reeds’ social circle by confining her to the nursery while her cousins spend their days in the drawing room (22) and calling Mr. Lloyd, the apothecary for “ailing servants,” instead of the family physician for Jane’s illness (15), thus placing her among the servants. However, the servants too reject Jane from their group—Miss Abbot told Jane that she is “less than a servant” because she does “nothing for [her] keep” (9). Jane thus
This essay discusses two young women coming of age Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. In Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie struggles to grow up in three different marriages. On the other hand, Jane from Jane Eyre does a lot of developing and personal growth through her relationship with the one family. The focus will be on how these girls are similar and different. The reader will see how coming of age is different for every person.
It is ironic that Jane is seen as the guilty party in the incident with John Reed because John started the fight when he slapped Jane. Then when John’s sisters, Eliza and Georgina, go to “tattle tale” on Jane, their mother blames Jane for the whole situation. Jane compares John to a “murderer,” “slave-driver,” and “Roman Emperors” (Bronte 9). During this comparison, she is implying that he is a very cruel and awful person. That he would beat her and boss her around.
All through the ages, the Christ figure archetype has appeared in literature and film. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry gives himself to Voldemort purposefully sacrificing himself for the benefit of the Wizarding World. In doing this he becomes the “Savior” and functions as a Christ figure in the novel. The Christ figure also emerges in real life, as anyone who acts as a role model and demonstrates moral fiber at an enormous cost to him or herself. In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Helen Burns serves as a Christ figure in the novel and her fundamental role is to illustrate and reveal the pivotal Christian belief of forgiveness to Jane.
Jane is constantly belittled and treated coldly by her extended family, making her feel unappreciated and miserable, yet like she should be grateful that she is not suffering on the streets. These external and internal conflicts are mirrored firmly in the harsh nature of Gateshead. And these conflicts are only confirmed through Jane’s interaction with Mrs. Reed after learning that she was to be
Risk-taking and Humility in Jane Eyre and “It Is I Who Must Begin” The narrator of Charlotte Bronte’s Novel Jane Eyre and the speaker of the poem Vaclav Havel’s “It Is I Who Must Begin” both share the traits of being risk-takers and humility. The narrator in Jane Eyre takes life-changing risks that affect her whole world. The speaker in “It Is I Who Must Begin” self-awareness and confidence are what make him strive. Both the speaker and the narrator make difficult life choices that demonstrate humility in their search for personal fulfillment and growth.
In the beginning, she is deprived of education, love and appreciation of her presence which ultimately is her prime reasoning of taking off to be successful. Her experience at Gateshead was nothing more than miserable, she fought for what she needed and grew out of her comfort zone to stick up for herself. The strict rules and limits to freedom was not something Jane could handle for much longer, starting with the false accusations said by Brocklehurst of Jane. Brocklehurst is one of the many obstacles Jane fights to become happy and successful. She did not let him control how she envisioned her future life, rather she became even more passionate to prove how much of a cruel master he was.
Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender. The novel incorporates Jane’s frequent conflicts, oppression, isolation and self-examination as she defends her identity and independence. Set amongst five separate locations, Bronte’s skilful use of literal and metaphorical landscapes, nature, and imagery, skilfully intertwines with the plot and denotes each phrase of her maturity.
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” Edward Fairfax Rochester plays a contributing role in Janes development and growth as a character and human being in the Victorian time period. Not only does he play a large role in her independency, but in her emotional and spiritual growth as well. She grows around him whether she likes it or not. Due to Edwards manipulative and seductive nature, jane has to grow and develop in a way that has her frequently questioning her own ideals, whether that be spiritually or morally, and strengthening her independence by constantly refusing her feelings for him and adapting to punishing situations. Edward also opens Janes eyes to a world that is bigger than she realized due to his company at the house, wealth, and opportunities at the favorable Thornfeild manor at which she was employed by him.
Overcoming Barriers Famous singer Tupac Shakur once stated that, “Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.” Shakur may have been talking about successfully reaching your biggest hopes, but this quote reflects a different meaning in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. As Jane has recurring strange dreams, she does not realize that her dreams foreshadow her future reality. Instead of trusting her symbolic dreams, Jane disregards them and instead focuses on her current life with Rochester, as everything seems in place for their upcoming marriage.
At this point of the novel, Jane is becoming more of an adult, and adapting her opinions and values into real world situations, especially in those where Jane’s social status is questioned. While in conversation with Rochester, her shyness starts to dissipate and her opinions start to be heard and valued. “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as much soul as you-and full as much heart!
Throughout the story, the title character, Jane Eyre, as a woman, goes through many ups and downs, navigating through life’s trials and complications. Along the way, she is taught and cultivated, whether directly or indirectly, into the woman she is at the end of this splendid work of fiction by a series of women. These ladies serve both
Jane goes against the expected type by “refusing subservience, disagreeing with her superiors, standing up for her rights, and venturing creative thoughts” (Margaret, 1997, p. 325-346). She is not only successful in terms of wealth and position, but more importantly, in terms of family and love. These two needs that have evaded Jane for so long are finally hers. Adding to her victory is her ability to enjoy both without losing her hard-won independence. Everybody has the rights to pursue happiness, to pursue the true spirit of life, which can be seen from Jane Eyre’s struggle for independence and equality.
Charlotte Bronte takes us on a journey from the point which Jane Eyre, the protagonist lives with her aunt and cousins whom very much dislikes her in Gateshead to her going to a boarding school in Lowood, after which she becomes a governess in Thornfield where she falls in love with Mr. Rochester her employer whom she later finds out is married to a mad woman by the name of Bertha Mason, upon her discovery of this she picks up and leaves Thornfield, she then ends up at Marsh End where he meets her relatives. The novel carries us through ever important event in her life, which introduces us to new aspects of her personality, up until her eventual marriage to Mr. Rochester. The novel fits this theme as its protagonist chooses individualism as she refuses to take the role subservience as that of a traditional female of the Victorian era society, she stands up for her rights and want she believes in, she ventures in her own unique thoughts, and stands by her views even if it means disagreeing with those superior to her. Jane comments on the role of women in society and the greater constraint imposed on them. V.S Naipaul’s