Jane Eyre’s Transformation
Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyra Banks, modern-day renowned television celebrities, are examples of strong, independent women who influence and inspire many people. In Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre, the main character of Jane is an orphaned girl who feels abused and neglected living with the Reed family. As the story progresses and she gets older, she makes friends such as Helen Burns, the girl she met at Lowood, and sheds her feelings of loneliness. As she befriends more people, she overcomes her hesitant tendencies and expresses herself openly. In the same way as the aforementioned celebrities, Jane develops into a strong and confidant woman who ends up falling in love with Mr. Rochester. Jane is initially lonely and doubtful but throughout the book her personality blossoms into one of confidence as she learns to stands up for herself. As a result, she becomes a strong and assertive woman who expresses her opinions candidly and grows to love Mr. Rochester.
Jane is hesitant and lonesome in the beginning of the novel and has difficulty feeling comfortable and indifferent around people. For example, while Jane spends time in the Reed household, she remarks, “To speak truth, I had not least wish to go into company, for in company I was rarely noticed” (Bronte 24). Jane’s parents died when she was young and as a result she became an orphan. As an orphan, she feels disrespected and unfairly treated by the Reed family. Furthermore, she does not feel like she belongs with the family, often feeling that she is unnoticed by them. As a result, she dislikes the family and avoids spending time with them at all costs. In addition, when Mr. Brocklehurst asks his family, teachers, and the children to look at Jane, Jane claims that she "felt their eyes directed like burning-glasses against my scorched skin” (60). In company of Jane’s teachers and classmates she is ridiculed and embarrassed. As a result, while her peers stare at her judgmentally, feelings of
Jane is hesitant and lonesome in the beginning of the novel and has difficulty feeling comfortable and indifferent around people. For example, while Jane spends time in the Reed household, she remarks, “To speak truth, I had not least wish to go into company, for in company I was rarely noticed” (Bronte 24). Jane’s parents died when she was young and as a result she became an orphan. As an orphan, she feels disrespected and unfairly treated by the Reed family. Furthermore, she does not feel like she belongs with the family, often feeling that she is unnoticed by them. As a result, she dislikes the family and avoids spending time with them at all costs. In addition, when Mr. Brocklehurst asks his family, teachers, and the children to look at Jane, Jane claims that she "felt their eyes directed like burning-glasses against my scorched skin” (60). In company of Jane’s teachers and classmates she is ridiculed and embarrassed. As a result, while her peers stare at her judgmentally, feelings of
Cited: Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Bantam Dell, 1987. Print.