Women of the Victorian Era were expected to be dumb, incapable, and housewives. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontё is an example of one woman who decides to not follow these rules. She acts independent and defies all standards set for women in this time. The outcome is positive for her life and her actions help to make her life successful. Brontё also suggests that women should be equal to men and start controlling their own lives. Victorian Era women should be more than weak. Roles for women in the Victorian Era differed based on social class and wealth, but they all revolved around the idea that women were supposed to keep their husbands happy and raise their children. The higher class spent most of their time attending tea parties and balls. The middle class took education and later in life became governesses or tried to marry into nobility. Anything below middle class was undesirable, but throughout women were expected to be weak, helpless, and unable to make decisions for themselves. This is where Jane Eyre defies the stereotypical roles of Victorian women. She refuses to be …show more content…
She was raised by a well-off family that gave her nothing because of their hatred for her. Her strong will and independence made being alone most of the time easier for her. “‘I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unstained I am, the more I will respect myself’” (Brontё 365). Others may have not respected her, but she respected herself. This attitude also shows how she would not stoop down to act like a clueless typical Victorian woman. Her independence also attracted the admiration of a rich man. “…energy, decision, will – were not beautiful, according to rule; but they were more than beautiful to me” (Brontё 203). She was confident in many ways and therefore attracted praise from Mr. Rochester. Jane Eyre, being strong willed, helped form her life in many positive