Jane Eyre: Feminism

Feminism Jane Eyre Unveiled Brittney Christensen English 153 Shona Harrison November 15th, 2012 Feminism The advocacy of wo custodys rights on the grounds of political, well-disposed and economic equality to men, statuses and classes. The novel Jane Eyre greatly depicts many forms of feminism throughout, and is an eye opener as to how much time have changed and in a adept stayed the same since the nice Era. The thought of being exposed to much(prenominal) standards and conditions at such a young age onward outlines the realest forms of commitment to independence and dignity.Jane is a victim of feminism in the instance that she is subjected to the power of men and also plays the role of a feminist role model shown by multiple examples throughout the novel, whether referring to relationships or to personal attri thoes. The comparing and contrasting between the other characters and characteristics of the novel also unveil forms of feminism and feministic senses. The word feminis t or feminism is a very obscured word, with many different plosive speech sounds of views considering their meanings. In the terms of feminist, a doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. And reference to Jane Eyre, Jane only try fors for equality between men and women, herself in particular, obviously due to the specific situations and circumstances she is exposed to. Jane proposed her acts upon facing womens rights and equality by enforcing her words and good deeds, proving her lack of ignorance and retaliation. Jane represents a feminist in the Victorian Era, and mainly targeted at younger readers, preferably female considering the context, with the purpose to help the young females learn about maturity, growing up in the world, and the possible variety of obstacles that they may be faced with.With that said, Janes actions and words throughout the novel decipher her life and her experiences are what built her courage and vividn ess as a woman. Jane Eyre is proof that love and affection are two things that cannot be bought and that that her courageousness will not be underestimated. Rochester tries to persuade Jane into falling for him by offering her luxurious st 1s and lavish pieces of clothing. Glad was I to get him out of the silk warehouse, and then out of a jewelers shop the more he bought me, the more my cheek burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation. (Bronte, Page 229).Jane is getting the relishing of aggravation towards Rochesters offerings in a sense that she does not need nor want such things and refuses to be receive exposed to the world of the materialistic lifestyle. Her hesitation towards marriage is also expressed in her statement, providing evidence that she does not feel the need to go to these extremes and expenses when it comes to marriage. Marriage the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recogniz ed by law. Nowhere does it state that the experience as a whole has to be lavish, proving Janes point of view.Jane, as a feminist believes that everything and everyone can be beautiful without the extent of needing a man and the accommodations and luxuries one has to offer. Jane, being exposed to independence at such a young age gave her the leverage and confidence she needed to stand up for herself and express her view of womens equality through her eyes. She comes to the consensus about her value and duties of herself as an individual when states, I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will keep the law given by God sanctioned by man.I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad as I am presently. (Bronte, page 270). This denotation depicts and unveils Janes powerful feelings towards how she sees herself and what her morals are versus what they should be. Jane believes to be mad, which refer s to the fact that it is somewhat insane that she can love Rochester when he is married to Bertha Mason, someone whole opposite to Jane. Because of Rochesters argument for her to be with him, Janes statement also shows that her realization that Rochester has strong feelings towards her regardless of his current relationship status with Bertha Mason.Jane fears that if she is to lose anything chief(prenominal) in her life then that will result in losing Rochester, despite the aspect of negotiating her own feelings. Jane refrains from going with Rochester after this confrontation You will not come? You will not be my comforter, my rescuer? My deep love, my wild woe, my frantic prayer, are all nothing to you? What unutterable pathos was in his voice How badly it was to reiterate firmly, I am going. Jane realizes Rochesters true love for her, merely also realizes that they are not meant to be, or so she thinks.In this instance, Jane is allowting feelings between herself and so me other man jeopardize her life, which goes against her beliefs as well as a woman, although her rejection provides proof that she loves herself more, therefore showing her independence and pride in being a female. I am no bird and no net ensnares me I am a free human being with an independent will which I now exert to leave you. (Bronte, Page 216). Jane represents many things throughout the novel, mainly her strong feminist side is most relevant until closer to the end part of the novel, where she seems to let love get the best of her.Jane has found herself to fall deeply for Rochester despite her beliefs, she has resisted and now sees him for his true self, money out. With that said, Jane herself, had not a clue that she would soon be facing some inheritance, My uncle I had heard was dead my only relative ever since being made aware of his existence I had cherished the hope of one day seeing him now, I never should. And then this money came only to me not to a rejoicing famil y, and me but to my isolated self. It was a voluptuous boon doubtless and independence would be glorious yes, I felt that that thought swelled my heart. Jane inherited twenty thousand pounds and now felt as though her and Rochester were socially and economically equal, putting her at ease in a sense referring to her standards. Although Janes decision may come across somewhat hypocritical, she still stays true to herself and her feminist ways when she stands up to St. John, the clergyman that provides Jane with a place to stay. St. John is also in love with Jane and wants to be with her, but she does not feel the same way, You have hitherto been my adopted brother I, your adopted sister let us continue as such you and I had better not marry. (Bronte 345) Jane is trying to be nice about breaking the news to St. John to show her caring side as a woman, but St. John did not agree with this confrontation, I must seek another interest in life to replace the one lost is not the furrow he now offers me truly the most glorious man can adopt or God assign? It is not, by its noble cares and sublime results, the one best calculated to fill the void left by uptorn affections and demolished hopes? (Bronte 344) This is one of St. Johns methods as to keeping Jane in his life, by delivery god into the equation, by insinuating that God does not agree with her and that St.John should have her for himself, which Jane actually does not agree with, being as she believes in religion separately aside from her feminism beliefs. In a sense St. Johns statement about God made Jane think about how married life really will be and the possibility of her lack of enjoyment due to the fact that a label may disrupt the actual love. Despite St. Johns feelings, Jane knows where he heart is and stays true to her own feelings, showing her independence as a female. In terms of womens and mens rights, views on the issue can arise in a variety of opinions due to the difference in peoples views .The two main men characters in the novel, Rochester and St. John really enhanced Janes inner feminist by each pulling out specific traits in her that portrayed what she really believed in and what it takes to alter them traits such as independence and personal strength as a woman, providing a learning experience from experiences. Jane grows to be able to form her own opinions and stand up for what is right in her eyes while still staying true to her beliefs as a feminist. Jane Eyre not only sets goals for herself, but also for other females, being such a great role model proven through her life choices and acts of strength. If I told anything, my tale would be such as must necessarily urinate a profound impression on the mind of my hearer and that mind, yet from its sufferings too prone to gloom, needed not to deeper shade of the supernatural. I kept these things, then, and pondered them in my heart. (Bronte 381) This really summarizes Janes journey from a girl to a woman, and is an inspiring and knowledgeable story. Work Cited Bronte, Charlotee. Jane Eyre. New York W. W . Norton & Company, Inc. 2001. Eagleton, Terry. Jane Eyres Power Struggles. Myths of Power A Marxist Study of Bronte.Totawa, NJ Barnes and Noble Bookes, 1975. Rpt. In Bronte 491-496. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. Feminism. Collins English Dictionary. 2009. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986. Web. 14 Nov 2012. Roberts, M. J. D. Feminism and the State in Later Victorian England. 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