Feminism, the never-ending and ever-evolving fight for rights, independence, and freedom to love, was born from brave women who did not fear challenging the status quo. The novel Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847, was heavily influenced by the feminist ideologies of Mary Wollstonecraft and Brontë's own sisters. The popular and radical novel brought sweeping changes across British society; a global empire found at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. The story follows the life of an orphaned girl who finds work, love, and a new sense of self at Thornfield Hall. The protagonist’s feminist ideals evolve with age, experience, and a growing sense of self-worth, which can be directly translated into today’s feminist movements. Through continual efforts to seek out independence, despite deep feelings of love, the protagonist inspires women today to value their self-worth over the chance at a fairytale romance.
First, feminism is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the “advocacy of equality of the sexes and the establishment of the political, social, and economic rights of the female sex,” a definition that originated in 1895. Charlotte Brontë, who wrote Jane Eyre in 1847, produced social commentary that was incredibly ahead of her time. Jane’s form of feminism was the desire to be an intellectual equal to man, which she achieves through bravery, persistence, and autonomy. The goals of the feminist movement have distinctly evolved over time. Today, feminists strive to close the wage gap, end male violence toward women, and instill independence into each upcoming generation of women. Critics today may claim that Jane Eyre is not a feminist in today's terms, but readers must acknowledge Jane Eyre was written and published before the word feminism had even been defined. Women, such as Brontë, created the foundation that feminism today is built on.
Jane Eyre was temporarily raised by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Throughout her upbringing, Eyre feels ostracized, isolated, and unwanted by her caregivers. The abusive childhood that Jane endured inevitably generates her feelings of self-loathing and contemplations of her own death. When she is unjustly locked in the red room, Eyre thinks to herself, “Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever condemned? Why could I never please?” (Brontë, 10). Young Jane follows this thought with another; why did she not just “let (herself) die”? (Brontë, 11). Eyre’s sense of self-worth was beaten down and stomped into the ground by the involuntary caregivers that treated her as a burden. The narrator emotes such a deep “indescribable sadness” as only a child; it is not surprising she finds comfort in a temporary male protector (Brontë, 18). Mr. Lloyd arrives at Gateshead, inducing this reaction from Jane: “I felt so sheltered and befriended while he sat in the chair near my pillow” (Brontë, 16). The deep yearning within Jane’s heart to feel protected exhibits the lack of security and safety in her life. In a research study on childhood maltreatment and its effects on adult intimate relationships and relationship functioning, findings show that abuse in developmental years has “a negative effect on both males’ and females’ ability to establish and maintain healthy intimate relationships in adulthood” (Colmana and Widom). Evidence of abuse deeply affecting Jane’s well-being, combined with scientific research, makes Eyre’s subsequent tumultuous relationship with Mr. Rochester unsurprising. Eyre was thrust into the world without receiving the care she needed for healthy development. Yet, throughout her life of self-doubt, she actively strives for independence, personal happiness, and success with meticulous intentionality.
One of the main driving forces of Eyre’s internal defense of her independence comes from her restless nature. The governess did not fear her position at Thornfield Hall being terminated. Jane states, “...let the worst come to the worst, I can advertise again” (Brontë, 104). Jane advocates for herself and her own career, inherently promoting ideas that women should value their careers. She advocates for herself by seeking employment to improve her quality of life; to finally live on her own. The belief that a woman’s career was more important than finding a husband and staring a family was revolutionary.
Though vocal about her self-doubt as a child, the character of Jane Eyre evolves to value her independence more than the sense of security provided by her male counterparts. When Jane arrives at Thornfield Hall, she states, “I anticipated only coldness and stiffness,” completely surprised by the kindness of her host (Brontë, 105). Lack of an expectation for kindness supports Jane’s inclination to Mr. Rochester; coldness, mistreatment, and lying are all that is familiar to Jane. Naturally, she gravitated towards feelings that were familiar, as is common with many victims of abuse. Also, upon her arrival, Jane believes the estate to be owned by Mrs. Fairfax, to which Mrs. Fairfax responds, “To me? Bless you, child; what an idea! To me?” (Brontë, 110). According to Daniel Scott Smith, when visualizing feminism in the Victorian Era, it is “easier to describe historical attitudes toward women’s proper role than to determine what the roles actually were at any given time” due to the restrictions placed on women at the time (Smith, 40). This claim suggests that just believing that Mrs. Fairfax was capable of owning and running her own home was an inherently feminist act. Mrs. Fairfax’s stance, like most people during this time, contrasts with Jane’s radical thought process.
Brontë uses Jane’s stream of consciousness as a platform to speak to readers directly. In an article titled Jane Eyre in Search of Her Story, the author states, “Jane acquires and uses the power of speech” (Bodenhiemer). By using this forum, the reader ingests unconventional feminist ideologies. Jane tells her readers, “Women are supposed to be very calm generally; but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex” (Brontë, 121). In this monologue, Jane criticizes every societal norm that constrains women, as well as the people who feed into them. She proposes that no person should question a woman that aims to achieve the things only available to men. As Jane matures, her sense of self-worth, female empowerment, and need for independence grows exponentially. By writing with such candor, Brontë sparked the need for independence in the hearts of women all over the globe, as well as simply showing it is possible. Brontë seeks equality with every word she writes.
In today’s political scene, the same ridiculous argument against women is regurgitated in different ways: women are too emotional to be leaders and to make big decisions. Brontë proves this argument made by men deficient, worthless, and pathetically fearful, almost 200 years before it was even proposed. In fact, Brontë demonstrates that men are as equally subject to acting on emotion through the emotional rollercoaster that is Mr. Rochester. He manipulates his entire staff, projects his consequential mood swings onto Jane, and arguably, exploits her innocence and youth. As Mr. Rochester woos Jane, he tells her, “The glamour of inexperience is over your eyes”, as well as referring to her as “my pet lamb” (Brontë, 239). Though she is attracted to Mr. Rochester, Jane fends off marriage proposals that would squash her identity and independence, continually striving for equality in her relationships. Jane can rationalize her emotions to make logical decisions, whereas Mr. Rochester is not.
Throughout Jane’s relationship with Mr. Rochester, she fights an internal battle between logical thought and feelings of the heart. Jane also battles her natural inclination to submission. Mr. Rochester evokes passionate feelings within Jane’s heart that cloud her judgment. When Jane discovers the existence of Antionette, also referred to as “Bertha Mason”, she decides to leave Thornfield against her desire to stay. Jane, entralled in the throes of passion, tells her readers, “But that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it.” (Brontë, 331). Jane doubts that she has the strength within herself to leave the man she loves to salvage her own self-respect. Within eight lines of text, Jane realizes how horrible it would be for her to stay with a man who deceived her; who did not view her as an equal. She then tells herself, “No; you shall tear yourself away, none shall help you; you shall yourself pluck out your right eye; yourself cut off your right hand: your heart shall be the victim, and you the priest to transfix it” (Brontë, 331). In a single sentence, Jane displays that women can, and will, put their careers and self-respect over the passions of their hearts. In an almost masochistic way, Jane inflicts pain upon herself by leaving Thornfield, yet promises herself she will be the one to heal herself. Brontë shows a woman being her own savior, as well as her own source of strength. The words Brontë put into print were so insanely radical for the time, she had to publish her books under a masculine pseudonym.
From the very first chapter of Jane Eyre to the final concluding words; themes of feminism with influences from Brontë's predecessors, like Mary Wollstonecraft, can be found throughout Eyre’s journey to independence. Using Wollstonecraft’s covert methods of persuasion, Brontë acknowledges the stereotypes of women and provides a rebuttal in the very same sentence. Jane speaks radically, yet honestly and intimately, to her readers. In reference to her comprehension, Eyre states pictures were “mysterious often to my underdeveloped understanding and imperfect feelings, yet ever profoundly interesting” (Brontë, 3). The author demeans her own intelligence to draw in the skeptical reader, while also reinforcing that her thoughts hold value. The revolutionary author also facilitates a relationship with her readers through her narration. Brontë directly addresses her readers by name throughout the novel, but most famously in the opening line of her conclusion, “Reader, I married him.” (Brontë, 503).
The resolution of Jane Eyre can be described by some as disappointing, confusing, or even heartbreaking. After the death of Antionette, Mr. Rochester is free to marry Jane. He is blinded and severely wounded in a horrible accident. Mr. Rochester endured the implications that he did as a form of karma. Through this humbling experience, Mr. Rochester realizes how much he needs Jane, which facilitates his newly found respect for her. Jane takes Mr. Rochester back because they are finally true equals. Though Mr. Rochester has valued Jane’s mind since their first meeting, he finds a way to accept her as an equal in every aspect possible in the end. Even other male characters evolve throughout the novel, such as St. John. He states, “Jane is not such a weakling as you would make her... She can bear a mountain blast, or a shower, or a few flakes of snow, as well as any of us.” (Brontë, 443). Brontë integrates the intellectual growth of male characters into the plot to provide Jane with a (however unrealistic) happy ending, as well as setting a standard for male readers.
Jane’s character endures a childhood of trauma that creates an inclination within herself to toxic, harmful people, as well as to submission. Against these feelings, Jane advocates for herself by finding a job as a governess by her own means. Throughout her employment, she defends her independence by denying marriage proposals. She then leaves the man she loves, something that truly breaks her heart, because she knows in her soul that she deserves better. Jane only accepts pursuits when she is equal to Mr. Rochester and her independence within the relationship is secured. Throughout the book, Jane is her own savior, time and time again. This novel shows women today, that independence, self-love, and self-respect are more important than anything a man could provide. Brontë teaches her readers that no man is necessary for happiness, success, or abundance; that every woman is capable of achieving these things for herself.
Works Cited
Bodenheimer, Rosemarie. "Jane Eyre in search of her story." Papers on Language and Literature 16.4 (1980): 387.
Brontë, C. (2019). Jane Eyre. Oxford University Press.
Colmana, Rebecca A., and Cathy Spatz Widom. “Childhood Abuse and Neglect and Adult Intimate Relationships: A Prospective Study.” Child Abuse & Neglect, Science Direct, 26 Nov. 2004, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0145213404002376.
Smith, Daniel Scott. “Family Limitation, Sexual Control, and Domestic Feminism in Victorian America.” Feminist Studies, vol. 1, no. 3/4, 1973, pp. 40–57. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1566479. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
