Critical Analysis Of Jane Eyre

Aliyah Hall
AP Literature 4th
Mrs. Shewmaker
Nov-30-15
Jane Eyre Critical Analysis Essay
In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte fuses an independent woman's struggle to escape the forces of Victorian society with a woman who searches for happiness and acceptance in society. Bronte tells the story of a young ten year old orphaned girl named Jane who lives with a family that thinks of her as a nuisance. She excels in school, becomes a governess to a little girl named Adele, and falls in love with a brooding man named Edward Rochester. After being lied to by Mr. Rochester she leaves to go to Marsh End, where she learns to gain her independence. Towards the end of the novel Jane Eyre is a strong, independent woman. Bronte uses point of
In the novel Bronte uses narrative point of view to help convey the overall meaning of the novel. By using first person narrative point of view , Jane's mindset is revealed throughout the book." The punishment seemed to me a high degree ignominious, especially for so great a girl..." ( Bronte, pg 53). Jane's dislike of the punishments is shown through the point of view like this one where a 13 year old girl had to stand in the middle of the classroom and bear the eyes of the student and teachers. Bronte also uses point of view to help establish Jane's character in the story. While Jane is living with Mrs. Reed and her children they are very cruel to Jane and finally Jane has had enough and stands up for herself, " I cried out suddenly , and without at all deliberating on my words... they are not fit to associate with me" ( Bronte, pg 32). Jane is starting to gain her independence in the beginning of the novel she doesn't take the prejudice of her family any longer and stands up for herself. Using
In the time the book was written orphans like Jane were mistreated when taken into higher class families like the Reed household. For example, " You are a dependent, mamma says; you have no money... you ought to beg and not live here with gentlemen's children like us" (Bronte, pg 14). When Jane's parents died she was left in the care of her uncle and his family who was a higher class, the Reed's mistreated Jane and by doing they ignited the flame of Jane trying to find her independence to get away from them. In 1864 charitable schools such as Lowood had very poor conditions. For instance, " the unhealthy nature of the site, the quantity and quality of the children's food, the brackish fetid water... were discovered" (Bronte, pg 87 ). These conditions of Lowood helped Jane realize that if you are poor and have nothing you have to live with poor conditions in life. In 1840's, many charitable benefactors gave money so schools could be set up to provide for the poor and orphans. For example in Jane Eyre, Jane went to Lowood to get an education because she was an orphan and couldn't afford to have a governess, " You and I, and all the rest of us are charity children" (Bronte, pg 51). While Jane is at Lowood she starts to make a name for herself and later on she gets out of the school and becomes a governess to a little girl named Adele. During this time the book was written men and women could