Essay On Gender Roles In Jane Eyre

This essay will discuss gender in the way Rochester is changed from a lustful and fallen male who’s trail of mistress’ is long, to a man who is capable of seeing love beyond that of the laws and limits of his position. The evidence will be in the form of small quotes and scenes analyzed with the assistance of ‘Of Home and Love’ by Walter E Houghton. Rochester’s first impression in the novel is not one of much regard. Mrs. Fairfax informs Jane “Almost all the land in this neighbourhood, as far as you can see, has belonged to the Rochesters…” (Bronte 96). A typical characteristic of a Victorian male was land ownership. In the form of buying, inheriting, or marrying were the ways they acquired land. Rochester’s other characteristics also
The first one of note is the scene where Rochester, Jane and Adele first have tea together. As she enters he speaks to her like a guest “Let Miss Eyre be seated” (Bronte 110). His manner is that of structure and business, he is very statuesque. He then continues to on asking Jane about her “residen[cy] in [his] house three months” (Bronte 111). His calling Jane a resident of his house is a manner that he would take with someone he did business with, much like a tenant. He conducts this tea like a business encounter and eventually scurries them off at 9pm for Adele’s bedtime. A short while later in the novel Rochester and Jane have a more intimate encounter. After a business meeting Rochester requests Adele and Jane’s presence downstairs. When he has done his part of being a “good host…[He] ought to be at liberty to attend to [his] own pleasure” (Bronte 119). At this point Rochester calls Jane over to sit near him, and as he watches the fire Jane examines him. Upon noticing Rochester asks “Miss Eyre…do you think me handsome” (Bronte 120). We begin to see his comfort with Jane, in that one would not assume a man to ask such a question of a woman, especially one that was his employee and was beneath