Jane Eyre Research Paper

Jane Eyre: Governess Vs Life Station Jane Eyre is a novel of a character in which the book was named, that tells of her life and the difficulties she faces along the way in the early Victorian age. During this age the class that refers to the station of wealth and therefore right was highly established and followed as if by law. The circumstances in which she lived gave her means in becoming a governess, which was basically a private tutor or teacher to that of a rich family. Jane Eyre is a governess which compromises her station and confuses her of her place in society. Jane Eyre first learns her role in society during her childhood as well as the class system and its rules. She is a child from an eloped couple that were disowned and died

The behavior of both her aunt as well as her cousins strengthens the point of her rank and or class. In the first chapter in John Reed words, whom is Eyre’s cousin, is speaking at her of her class when he catches her in a study with a book from the shelf, “You have no business to take books; you are a dependent, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg,and not to live here with gentlemen’s children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear clothes at our mama’s expense” (page 10). This quote represents the structure of the Victorian society at the time with the fact that John Reed’s diction and his condescending attitude with which he say this quote for it is made obvious that Eyre is rank much lower than John Reed. Eyre being an orphan and poor was ranked lower than a laborer (or servant) as said by Miss Abbot in chapter two in exact words, while she and Bessie are putting her in the Red Room after Eyre’s episode of rebellion, “No, you are less than a servant, for you do nothing for your keep” (page 11). Eyre’s

Rochester. When she first came to Thornfield Hall her place was still respected and treated of that as a governess. This is shown in chapter thirteen when Mr. Rochester is sitting on the couch in the drawing-room with Adele petting Pilot the dog, “Mr. Rochester must have been aware of the entrance of Mrs. Fairfax and myself; but it appeared he was not in the mood to notice us, for he never lifted his head as we approached” (page 122). It was not long after this that Mr. Rochester changes in character and attitude towards her that causes her confusion of feelings and the affect the resolvve of her class which is shown in chapter 15 by narration, “The ease of her manner freed me from painful restraint; the friendly frankness, as correct as cordial, with which he treated me, drew mw to him. I felt at times as if he were my relation, rather than my master: yet he was imperios sometimes still; but I did not mind that; I saw it was his way” (page 149). Society does not allow this kind of behavior to the lower ranks during that time, so often when kindness and interest is shown confusion starts which is stronger with Eyre for her oppressive childhood. The constant treatment seriously affects Eyre’s resolve of place with which she strongly holds onto with the best of her ability. An example of her struggles is in chapter 16, after the party