Masculinity In Jane Eyre

Since the wake of civilization, the development of a division of labor for means of survival has dismissed women to second class citizens for their comparatively weaker physical capabilities and thus restricted them to the sphere of domesticity. Charlotte Bronte’s epic feminist novel Jane Eyre, depicts the life of a young women who grapples against a shattered past to maintain her personal principles in her journey towards finding Mr. Rochester. Beginning with Jane’s childhood struggles, Bronte skillfully crafts the novel to gradually unveil her life until the reader is left with Jane’s convincing core values. It is like an onion, Jane begins non-intimate and outcast from her family, but develops into a successful woman with a true understanding

This theme builds upon the previous topics by delineating characters, character pairings, socioeconomic class, symbols, and motifs. At Ferndean, there are three major characters interacting: Jane, Rochester, and St. John Rivers. As a result, there is juxtaposition in their societal roles as well as unequal opportunities. At this stage, Jane pursues emotional independence and demonstrates her strength and endurance by refusing the compromise personal morals in front of dominant male figures. Both pairs, Jane-Rochester and Jane-Rivers depict her fortitude. In fact, it is Rochester, the supposed prevailing character, who experiences mental and physical decline. Likewise, Rivers wants to marry Jane solely for a missionary purpose, and expects her to comply. But such a relationship would be lacking for Jane, who turns him down, unprecedented at the time, to search for her true love. This juxtaposition provides evidence that Jane is truly an independent woman. Similarly, Jane achieves financial stability and increased socioeconomic equality. She receives an inheritance and works as a teacher, a well-respected profession. In conjunction with her comparably good health, it provides an equalizing factor with Rochester. Finally, symbols and motifs embody Jane and Rochester’s reconciliation. “Plants will grow about your roots... as they grow they will lean towards you…because your strength offers them so safe a prop” demonstrates the interdependence of their relationship (Bronte 484). Conversely, a symbol of her independence is seen when she refuses to let her emotions govern her ways: “But I would not be lachrymose: I dashed off the salt drops, and busied myself with preparing breakfast” (Bronte 478). These seemingly opposing actions strengthen the role Jane plays in Rochester’s