FREE ESSAY ON THE ROLE OF VICTORIAN WOMEN: JANE EYRE BY CHAROLETTE BRONTE

THE ROLE OF VICTORIAN WOMEN: JANE EYRE BY CHAROLETTE BRONTE

Jane Eyre 
Jane Eyre's Triumph Over Oppression: Charlotte Bronte's Example for Women Charlotte
Bronte, in her novel, Jane Eyre, establishes us with a first-hand account of a women's
triumph over hardships. Jain was born orphaned, poor, and grew up in an un-loving home.
To add insult to injury, she was a woman in Victorian society; a subordinate position to
begin with. Throughout the novel, Jane faces many hardships that truly tested her spirit
and integrity. She refused to have her life determined for her, and stayed strong through
adversity. By giving us the character of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte gives us a medium in
which to feel the suffering and powerlessness of Jane's situations. The first-person
narration helps the reader relate more closely to the situation, and the triumph of
Jane's character through her adversities is an example for women to live their lives by.
When Jane is only ten years old, we are shown a glimpse of her strength of character.
Facing much resentment and evil in the Reed house, Jane cannot be degraded much longer,
at least without saying something about it, and confronts Mrs. Reed: I am not deceitful:
if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you: I dislike you the
worst of anybody in the world except John Reed: and this book about the liar, you may
give to your girl Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I(p.45). Further
portraying Jane's passion and toughness is what she thought right before standing up for
herself. Speak I must: I had been trodden on severely, and must turn: but how? What
strength had I to dart retaliation at my antagonist? I gathered my energies and launched
them in this blunt sentence:- ...(p.45) This is a huge turning point in Jane's life; one
that greatly affects her for the rest of her life. After continuing her retaliation at
Mrs. Reed, Jane feels over-powered. Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to
expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt.(p.46)
This gives Jane a sense of confidence in herself to go out in the world and be what she
wants to be. She directly addressed a fear, stood up for herself, and, in the process,
gained the strength and fortitude she would need to face her upcoming hardships. Jane
grows up with a natural questioning of authority and an independent, un-coercive mind.
She was not going to lay down for just anyone, and was always aware of the oppression she
was suffering, and where it was coming from. When Helen tells Jane to be less impulsive
and just to obey the rules of her school and god more obediently, without questioning,
Jane thinks to herself, I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance; and still less
could I understand or sympathize with the forbearance she expressed for her
chastiser(p.66). When Helen continues to preach about loving your enemies and letting
people get away with victimizing you, Jane replies, But I feel this, Helen: I must
dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist
those who punish me unjustly. It is natural as that I should love those who show me
affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved(p.68). This shows a great
deal of insight and moral strength on the part of Jane at such a young age. Jane is
sympathetic, affectionate, and spiritual, but that doesn't mean that she can be walked
over. Jane again faces hardship in her relationship with Mr. Rochester. While taking her
shopping and showering her with lavish gifts, Jane feels uneasy. Glad was I to get him
out of the silk warehouse, and then out of a jeweler's shop: the more he bought me, the
more my cheek burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation.(p.301) Degradation
usually is not a word associated with receiving nice gifts. However, Jane felt dependant
and inferior, as the way a child would receive gifts from a father because they cannot
support themselves, however, without the blind acceptance and lack of guilt that comes
with children. Jane again discusses her relationship with Rochester: It would indeed be a
relief, I thought, if I had ever so small an independency; I never can bear being dressed
like a doll by Mr. Rochester...(p.301) This shows Jane's frustration at not being
independent; she has two strikes against her, being a woman, and being poor. She refuses
to live in this subordinate situation and tells Mr. Rochester: I shall continue to act as
Adele's governess: by that I shall earn my board and lodging, and thirty pounds a year
besides. I'll furnish my own wardrobe out of that money, and you shall give me nothing
but- Well, but what? Your regard: and if I give you mine in return, that debt will be
quit(p.302). Jain, throughout her life, faced many situations in which she had to fend
for herself and be independent. This is something unexpected of a young woman during the
time-period, her financial independence being particularly unique. Charlotte Bronte gives
us Jain Eyre to serve as an example for women to live their lives after. Born poor and
orphaned, Jain maintained strength and integrity through life's hardships. Life gave her
many mountains to climb, but as a result of her perseverance, she gained strength, peace
of mind, and a price-less sense of self-worth.