Feminism In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte wants the readers to be able to have insight about what it was like growing up as a female during this era. In my analysis of the book, I found that the novel did a great job portraying what it is was like for women to grow up in the era that the book takes place in. Women is this period of time were treated with disrespect, and were forced to be a typically housemaid and were not allowed to have real jobs. When Jane Eyre was growing up, she was often shunned by her aunt and cousins and was taken into rooms to be locked in with no one else. In my opinion, this shows how poorly women, young girls in particular, were treated. In addition to women being treated incompetently, they also had far less personal
freedom and were limited in options for trying to support themselves. I also found that Bronte did a great job in describing the characters and describing the setting in a way that helps the readers visualize it. One aspect of the novel that is highly criticized is the religious aspect of it. Many readers insisted that the book was “unchristian” and that it attacked the class system of England at that time. This is most evident in the character of Mrs. Reed, who was Jane’s aunt. In an essay written by Arnold A. Markley ( a professor of english at Pennsylvania State University), he states his opinion that he also feels like the novel attacks christianity. Markley states: “Many readers objected to the novel because they felt that it was un-christian, taking offense at Bronte often bitter attacks on certain aspects of religion and the church in contemporary England,”(Markley 1). This is most evident in Mr. Brocklehurst character. Mr. Brocklehurst’s character was a representation of a well known minister. In this quote, “ Let her stand half an hour longer on that stool, and let no one speak to her during the remainder of the day,”(Bronte 68). This example shows how Bronte used a well known minister in real life and turned him into a harsh leader of a school. The idea that Jane Eyre’s character is strong and independent, which is remarkable in this era, also came up in Markley’s critical analysis. “Jane Eyre is a character whose strength and individuality are remarkable for her time. As a model for women readers during the Victorian period and throughout the twentieth century to follow, Jane Eyre encouraged them to make their own choices in living their lives, to develop respect for themselves, and to become individuals,”(Markley 1). This is shown in the novel when Jane says, “ I don’t think I shall ever be afraid of you again, Bessie,”(Bronte 37). Jane Eyre is able to make her own decisions when she starts to become more mature, making her more independent. In another essay written by Maria Yuen, she talks about how Jane Eyre does not want to become a christian.
“Helen Burns represents a christian ideal that Jane admires but does not aspire to. Jane, with her intense awareness of self and her fierce sense of justice, could never adopt Helen’s attitude of resignation and forgiveness,” (Yuen 1). In my opinion, this statement is false because I feel that Jane eventually learns how to forgive and that she will soon start to aspire to be like Helen. For example, when she goes back to her dying aunt, even though the aunt treated her very poorly. “ Love me, then, or hate me, as you will, you have my full and free forgiveness,”(Bronte 257). A statement that I agree with in her essay is, “Through these experiences and vicissitudes Jane’s personality becomes more withdrawn, so that from the solitary child she grows into the quiet, grave young women,”(Yuen 1). I agree with this statement because when Jane was young, she was often shunned and despised by her family, but as she, she became more independent.“ I did not wish either car or carriage to meet me at Millcote. I proposed to walk the distance quietly by myself,”(Bronte 261). This quote shows how she wanted to travel by herself quietly. Through her experiences, she becomes quiet with her thoughts and becomes
independent.