Jane Eyre Essay Example For Students

Jane Eyre Essay Jane Eyre is often regarded as a modern day fairy tale when viewed superficially . However, the complexity of the story lines and characters represented a phenomenal breakthrough in story writing techniques during the Victorian period. Brontes creation of a new and powerful woman created a stirr amoungst Victorian Critics. Raised in this repressive male-dominated society, some critics like Elizabeth Rigby,suggested that Charlotte Brontes characterisation of Jane Eyre demonstrated her rebellion against male repression . Elizabeth Rigby was very critical of the woman portrayed by Bronte describin Jane as an unregenerate and undisciplined spirit, reflecting a typical critical Victorian response to Janes assertive and independent nature. To interpret this as a feminst critique reflects a more positive response to Janes independence. R. B Martin, a modern critic of the 1970s, suggests that the most dominant theme in the novel Jane Eyre, is the fight for equality and that Janes character illustrates the emergence of feminism during the Victorian Period. It has been argued that Jane Eyre is a wild and undisciplined spirit. Janes ideals and actions greatly contradicted Victorian expectations of womens social role. Her failure to be subordinate to men and desirew for social equality is clearly shown in her relationship with Rochester and St. John. This, together with frequent shows of aggression and wild temper were seen as a threat to the ideals of women in Victorian Society and were greatly and widely criticised. Sandra M. Gilbert aptly described Jane Eyre as a larger than life emblem of passionate, barely disguisable rebelliousness. Critics of the late nineteenth century were angered at Janes absolute refusal to submit to her social destiny- a life of drudgery and conformity to the rules of society made by men. With Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte introduced a new type of heroine to English Romanticism. Jane Eyre is a heroine endowed with intelligence and pluck; attributes all seen to be totally unacceptable for a woman at this time. From the opening words of the novel, the reader can experience the anger and brutish energies demonstrated in Janes aptly described undisciplined spirit, as she dares to challenge the man of the house, Master Reed. Janedares to confront Reed in an attempt to put a stop to the torment she endures from him. My terror had passed its climax, other feelings succeeded Wicked and cruel boy i said. you are like a morderer. Janes lanugage in this passage is very abrupt, heartfelt and meaningful. it is almost as if this speech is the climax of many years of pent-up anger and frustration that has finally been released. Janes later use of the expression you are like a slave driver suggest her feelings of confidement under the authority of Reed and the other more poerful individuals within her household. This speech along and violent episode represent Janes first rebellion against the suppressive powers in her house and to some critics this highlighted the view of Jane as unregenerate as it not ony demonsrates power and agression from a young woman but using this power against a man of higher social standing, a challenging concept in Victorian Society. This violent episode highlights a view of Jane as being unregenerate as it not only demonstrates violence from a woman, but violence against a man of higher social standing than herself, a most challenging concept in Victorian Society. nother challanging concept was janes different outlook on life compared to the other women srrondfing her in the novel. These other female characters, such as Blanche Ingram and Adele Varens, accentuate the description of Jane as a larger than life emblem of passionate and barely describable rebelliousness. Unlike Jane, they desire fashionable gowns, jewels and money rather than love or freedom. He produced a casket and opened it and showed magnificant bracelets and earrings; she acted astonishment amd admiration , kneeling he laidthe treasure at her feet; incredulty and delight were expressed by her looks and gestures. but these material gestures are certainly not what Jane desires. it is Janes implicit desire for love and freedom that sets her appart from these women, a desire that challanged the boundries set for women and the fulfillment of their needs; replacing jewels with equalty and affection. Critics of the late nineteenth century not only compared Jane with female characters within the novel, but other predominant female characters introduced onto the literary scene at this time. Dickens characters are a marvellous example of such women. Choice of the African character EssayThis tells us that Jane is a shattered person and her life is meaningless. In the same way All John Reeds tyrannies, All his proud indifferences, All his mothers diversion shows how much hatred Jane has for the Reeds this also shows that they are family however they treat each other like foe. Moreover repetition of the word All symbolises the fact that the entire world is after her and she is like a prey to all the predators out there hunting for her and she has nowhere to hide. The word All also shows that there is no one to give her protection and she is isolated. Moreover this shows that Jane is like an endangered animal that is at risk of getting hunted and soon maybe destroyed because of the environment around her. Jane is made to feel dissimilar just because she is an orphan and is poor she is like a mad cat show that the family dont talk directly to Jane and they take her to be like an animal. She is treated brutally however everyone witnesses this yet they choose not to do anything about it. Everyone turns a blind eye to the truth and once again the innocent and poor Jane has to suffer in silence. This is constant pain even as a small child Jane knew what was happening to her, she knew that she was abused however she was afraid to speak up. She is shown no humanity and is given the image of an animal not just by the family but by everyone who comes across Jane. The Victorians believed that the poor were treated like dirt and the poor were not allowed to engage in any relationship with the rich this shows the differences between the people in the 19th century and also shows that Jane was a victim of this inequality. In chapter 1 symbolism is used to help create sympathy for Jane red moreen curtains show the isolation and loneliness Jane is made to feel which shows the extent of Janes pain. There is a limit to abuse and Jane has experienced many things on her life which have exceeded this limit. It alkso shows that there is a barrier between her and the family and also the outside world. Jane is completely turned away from the outside world and she does not know what the outside world even looks like. Also she does not know what it is like to be free as she is like an imprisoned bird that has always been kept in a cage. Jane has nowhere in the world whwere she can be at peace besides the red room this is the only hiding place jane has and it is the only place she can call home. This symbolises passion and the feelings of peace and contentment for the first time. Jane is put into the red room to be punished however, as Jane is afraid of crowds, she prefers to stay there than anywhere else in the world. She is fervent about reading however all the Reeds wish for is getting rid of Jane and distancing her away from themselves as far as possible. The red room is a barrier between Jane and the family. Likewise, in the 19th century women were meant to be beautiful to be given the status of a woman this shows that Jane had none of these things and was therefore taken to be inferior. This creates sympathy for Jane as we know what the truth is and it makes us want to speak out for Jane and sympathise with her. Moreover, symbolism is used to create sympathy for Jane And a half moon setting shows that a new beginning for Jane and a new life. Finally Jane is able to feel some of the joys of life and is gradually starting to endure life. Jane is living life like every other ordinary person. Jane never knew that she would ever enjoy life but now that she is experiencing this joy it is beyond words Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine shows that Jane degrades herself and holds a minute status for herself. This also shows that behind all the happiness that Jane feels she knows that deep down there is going to be an end to this contentment at least one day. However gleams of sunshine shows an indication of hope and guidance for Jane. Now that Jane is going to school there have been new doors opened for her. However under all this joy we dont know what surprises life has wrapped for her. Similarly in the 19th century the law sent an order to eradicate child abuse this is the time when everything began to improve for the children in them times. Therefore, Janes life is starting to improve and Jane has started to enjoy life. Even the happiness in Janes life creates sympathy because we feel happy for her and we begin to believe that Jane deserves the joy that she is getting. Coming to a conclusion, I believe that in the book Jane Eyre, from the chapters 1-5 Jane is a very strong person and she is a fighter. Jane has had to tolerate many problems all throughout her life and she has faced every problem successfully. The amount of trouble that Jane had to go through perhaps no one would have been able to endure the way she did. Jane has shown a lot of courage all throughout her life and has faced all the obstacles that came in her path with tolerance and patience. Jane was never loved by anyone and even the most merciful person, God, was put against her. However she believed in herself and rose above the problems. Finally, I believe that the novel Jane Eyre is a very inspirational book and the character of Jane was very powerful moreover, it is an example to me, to become strong and face every challenge with endurance.