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Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre A Woman of Unknown Strength There are several themes in the novel Jane Eyre; however, the most recurring theme is that of Jane's quest for independence, acceptance and love from the people who she encounters in her life. Throughout her life, put into situations beyond her control, she relies upon her inner strength to face these challenges effectively. Anger is the symbol Brontë uses as the catalyst in Jane's acquirement of inner strength. Although her display of anger overwhelms her and others as a child, it becomes her ally as she matures. The development of Jane's inner strength is the important element to secure her independence. Orphaned as a child, Jane resides at Gateshead with her Aunt Reed and cousins. Viewed as a destitute interloper and passionately willful child, she believes she must endure the rejection and mistreatment from the Reed family. After suffering physical abuse inflicted by her cousin John, Jane responds with a passionate anger that is foreign to her. Punished for her angry outburst without regard to the purpose, she is locked in the red-room until she is able to conduct herself in an appropriate manner. While locked in the red-room, Jane contemplates the injustice of her situation, she recalls the promise her Aunt Reed made to her dying husband, that she would care for Jane as her own child. Jane then remembers "what [she] had heard of dead men, troubled in their graves by the violation of their last wishes, revisiting the earth to punish the perjured and avenge the oppressed." (479) At that moment, Jane observes a ray of light within the red-room that she deems to be the apparition of her deceased Uncle Reed. Frightened, she begs her Aunt Reed to punish her in another way; refusing Jane the mercy she pleads for, the continued rejection of her protector heightens her anger. Jane desires more than anything to leave Gateshead and be free from the abuse inflicted by the Reed family. Jane's anger and the assistance of Dr. Lloyd are the catalysts that inspire Aunt Reed to write Lowood Institution to have Jane considered for acceptance. Mr. Brocklehurst, the master of Lowood, brings a ray of hope to Jane by affording her the opportunity to leave Gateshead and enter Lowood Institution. This fleeting feeling is short lived after Aunt Reed informs Mr. Brocklehurst, Jane has "a tendency to deceit". (490) Consumed with anger, Jane lashes out at her Aunt Reed with verbal assaults after Mr. Brocklehurst leaves. She requests to leave Gateshead for Lowood Institution immediately. Although Jane is feeling euphoric by her passionate display of anger, she begins to feel begins to feel overwhelmed by "the pang of remorse and the chill of reaction". (493) Jane leaves Gateshead to enter her new life at Lowood Institution. Upon entering the grounds, she is intrigued by the sign and the scripture she views posted over the door: "LOWOOD INSTITUTION, Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - St. Matt. V.16. (501) Unable to comprehend the meaning of "institution", she befriends Helen Burns to interpret the meaning. Helen explains, "[Lowood] is partly a charity-school . . . and this is called an institution for educating orphans". (502) Jane soon realizes that Lowood Institution is not an improvement over Gateshead. The struggle to accept her new life and the relentless treatment are a challenge for her. Angered by the humiliation Helen endures by one of the teachers, Miss. Scatcherd, Jane expresses this to Helen stating, "if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her, if she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose." (506) Helen attempts to explain the virtues of humility while still maintaining one's pride. Helen tells Jane, "it is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil." (506) Although Jane admires this quality in Helen, she is not able to affirm herself entirely to this belief. Shortly after their conversation, Jane is subjected to a public humiliation by being condemned as a liar by Mr. Brocklehurst, as reported by her Aunt Reed. Angry, and mentally prepared to fight back at this injustice, Jane understands Helen's words and accepts the cruel treatment awarded her. Miss Temple later publicly vindicates Jane, thus giving her hope that she may be in God's favor at last. Jane's feeling of euphoria continues until she receives news that her friend Helen is very ill. Filled with despair at the thought of losing her friend, Jane goes to see Helen on what is to be a final time. Not fully able to comprehend the meaning of losing her friend, Jane inquires of Helen where she is going. Helen informs Jane she is dying and going to be with God in heaven. Jane questions Helen's religious convictions asking, "[y]ou are sure, then, Helen, that there is such a place as heaven; and that our souls can get to it when we die?" (524) Helen assures Jane there is such a place emphasizing her happiness by clinging to her Christian beliefs. Jane's own religious beliefs do not seem to be resolved as she ponders, "Where is this [Heaven]? Does it exist?" (525) Having completed her education and two-year employment as a teacher at Lowood Institution, Jane is full of hope and aspirations in obtaining her freedom and independence. After advertising for employment, Jane accepts the position of governess at Thornfield Hall offered her. Since Thornfield Hall symbolizes independence for Jane, she is anxious to enter upon her new life and career. Jane's arrival at Thornfield Hall opens her life to new emotions, romantic love toward Edward Rochester, and fear of unexplained demoniac events that have occurred within the house. Jane settles into her new position with ease. To alleviate her boredom during the winter months she offers to mail a letter for Mrs. Fairfax. While Jane is out on her errand, she encounters a man on a horse, who Mrs. Fairfax identifies later as Edward Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall. Rochester and Jane have numerous encounters in which they share details of their lives. The result of these encounters and conversations are the development of romantic feelings toward each other, which neither readily acknowledges to the other. However, it is Jane's anger in the form of passion that is the catalyst causing both to reveal their feelings of love. Believing he is taking Blanch Ingram as his bride, a young woman he has been courting, Jane tells Rochester, "I tell you I must go! Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you. . . .an automaton? - a machine without feelings?" (645) Upon hearing Jane's words Rochester reveals his true feelings to her and asks her to marry him stating, "it is you only I intend to marry. . . . My bride is here, because my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?" (646) Unable to believe what she hears she asks, "Are you in earnest? - Do you truly love me? Do you sincerely wish me to be your wife?" (647) Rochester confirms his love for Jane and she accepts his proposal. On the night before their wedding, Jane's dreams are disturbed; she wakes from her dream and finds a candle burning on her dressing table. She observes a woman with a savage face and red eyes exiting the closet holding her veil. The woman places the veil on her head and peers at herself in the mirror; she then removes the veil tearing it into two pieces and throws it to the floor. Frightened by this and other demonic events that have occurred in the house, Jane requests an explanation from Rochester. Unwilling to reveal the truth to Jane, he tells her he will explain everything after they "have been married one year and one day". (668) During the wedding, two men appear advising the priest and Jane that Rochester is currently married and that his wife resides at Thornfield Hall. Rochester reveals the existence of his mad wife, who is responsible for the demonic events that have occurred at Thornfield. Feeling cheated and betrayed Jane relies on her inner strength to leave Rochester after she learns the truth about him and the demonic events that have occurred since her arrival at Thornfield Hall. Unwilling to become a mistress to Rochester and lose her self-respect, Jane escapes Thornfield in search of a new life. Having limited funds, Jane is forced to relocate only as far as her funds will allow. Arriving in Whitcross without means, she attempts to find employment and shelter. What is interesting at this point is the way Brontë develops Jane's inner strength to reveal her achievement of independence. Unable to obtain assistance from the townspeople, Jane must rely upon her own devices and that of nature for sustenance and shelter. Realizing her circumstances are worse than those she encountered at Gateshead and Lowood, Jane seeks refuge at the house of St. John Rivers, a pastor, and his sisters, Mary and Diana. Anxious to find employment and gain her independence, Jane accepts the teaching position St. John offers her. St. John informs Jane she is to receive a large inheritance from her Uncle she has never met who is also the Uncle of the Rivers. Jane reflects on the information she receives from St. John stating, "you cannot at all imagine the craving I have for fraternal and sisterly love. I never had a home. . . . I must and will have them now." (739) Acquiring financial independence and the security of loving family relations, Jane settles into what appears to be a contented life. Jane's passion for Rochester still very much alive causes her to seek information concerning him and receives none. It is clear that Jane's life will not be fully content until she finds the same passionate love she shared with Rochester. St. John however, proposes marriage to Jane stating, "God and nature intended you a missionary's wife. . . . you are formed for labor, not for love. . . . I claim you - not for my pleasure, but for my Sovereign's service." (749) Jane vacillates between her love for Rochester and her duty to God. Unsure what direction her life should proceed, she seeks guidance from God asking, "[s]how me, show me the path!" (761) She hears the distant voice of Rochester calling her name and knows her path is back to him. Jane refuses St. John's proposal of marriage. Where she was unable to compromise her values in becoming the mistress of Rochester, here she is unwilling to enter marriage without love. Jane returns to Thornfield only to find it has been burned and Rochester's mad wife killed during the fire. She learns he is living at Ferndean as a recluse having lost a hand and his sight during the fire. Arriving at Ferndean, Jane "an independent woman" (771) and Rochester free from his first wife, she proposes to care for Rochester stating, "I find you lonely: I will be your companion." (772) Rochester tells Jane he wants a wife and again asks her to marry him and she consents. Having come full circle, Jane finally sees herself as independent and an equal to Rochester. She is able to give and receive the love she longs for without compromising her principles. Bibliography:

Word Count: 1943

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