Abuse Of Power In Jane Eyre

Throughout Jane’s conversation with Rochester in Chapter 14 of Jane Eyre, the power relations between them intriguingly act to make the them more equal.. Both Rochester and Jane use power they have over the other in order to thwart the other’s points of conversation. For instance, Rochester uses his age, gender, class, and economic status as a means of claiming authority over Jane. Although prevalent throughout the conversation, this is most clearly expressed when he argues that he has the right to direct her without pleasantries due his superiority, claiming, “I am old enough to be your father, and that I have battled through a varied experience” (157). Although this clearly implies that he deems himself predominant because of his age, his