In the coming-of-age novel, “Jane Eyre,” by Charlotte Bront, Jane’s spiritual and religious beliefs are explored as she navigates the complexities of religion and spirituality. Through her journey, Jane ultimately finds herself and empowers herself to live life on her own terms while advocating for equality for all. [M] Throughout the novel, Jane's experiences and the people in her life influence her perception of the world and society and also help her develop a strong sense of self. [E] When Rochester is trying to make Jane conform to a life that she does not want, she retorts that she is “no bird; and no net ensnares [her]” because she is “a free human being with an independent will.”(228). Despite societal pressure to conform to conventional …show more content…
Jane's unwavering determination to stand up for what she believes she deserves is quite apparent, especially given the societal expectations of her time. During those times, women were expected to keep their opinions to themselves and go with the flow of what they were offered, however, Jane would rather leave Rochester and become impoverished than compromise her values. If she were to agree to become Rochester's mistress, she would be betraying her beliefs, but fortunately, she was raised to be much stronger than that. Her upbringing and life events have turned her into an empathetic person who has a clear understanding of right and wrong and upholds strong moral values. [M] John G. Peters disputes the idea that Bront's novel is subversive by pointing out how Jane's religious journey is ahead of her time. Peters offers insight into the depth of the novel through the way“Jane Eyre advocates an equality that society ignored. an equality founded upon the principle that all human beings are equal in God's eyes” (61). Jane believes in equality for all, likely because of her own experiences with