ipl-logo

Religion In Jane Eyre

659 Words3 Pages

Many claim that love is one of the most, if not the most, potent emotion. Yet anything with such power can sometimes engender uncontrollable irrationalities. To balance our overpowering emotions, we use logic, analyses, and ethics to quell our inner flame. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, touches on these ideas frequently over the course of its plot. Throughout the novel, the story’s central themes, social class, gender relations, religion, and love versus freedom, all connect to the development of the protagonist, Jane.
The themes social class and gender relations both stem from the mid­1800’s setting. A society where the Victorian England era’s strict social hierarchy and male dominance prevailed, Jane’s world not only denied her equality …show more content…

As she experiences and observes these rather unique forms of Christianity, she formulates her own ideas and beliefs about religion and God’s principles based on an enhanced understanding of self and the consequences of various aspects of Christianity. Helen Burns’ Christianity allowed Jane to realize that she can not tolerate such a restrained and passive faith. Mr. Brocklehurst’s Christianity elucidated the purpose of proper faith. Finally, St. John Rivers’ Christianity, which urged Jane to prioritize her moral duties over all else, allowed her to realize that her true aspiration was finding a middle ground between the gratification of emotional needs and the fulfillment of moral obligations. While Christianity allowed Jane to achieve a strong and ethical character, recognizing her spirit as well can be seen as her greatest …show more content…

This paramount theme can also be analyzed to follow Jane’s development. From a Jane who believed that to gain love, herself must be sacrificed, to a Jane who has found an answer that bridges love, respect, freedom, and belonging, this theme of love versus freedom is a continuous contrasting element in the story. By learning that love with neither a value of self nor freedom is not her answer, and that a life allowing moral values and physical autonomy without the freedom of spirit nor emotion will be a loveless one, Jane reaches the conclusion that as

Show More
Related
1693 Words | 7 Pages

We will analyse, in this essay, the differences as well as the similarities which exist between Jane Eyre and Incidents in the life of a slave girl written by herself. We will see that they differ in terms of genre, the period of history in which they find themselves, the way the characters are presented and so forth. However, they share some of the main values concerning womanhood, race and some other aspects of life which they both treat in different ways and yet they do so in a specific aim. Charlotte Brontë and Harriet Jacobs present to us two texts which are both based in totally opposite moments in history. While many differences exist between the two texts, they have several aspects in common.

Read More
710 Words | 3 Pages

When Jane meets Helen at Lowood school, Jane is amazed and confused at Helen’s ability to tolerate the abuse directed at her by the teachers. Both Helen and Jane struggle at the school however, Helen and Jane endure the mistreatment from the teachers individually. “I heard her with wonder: I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance” (Brontë 6). Jane refuses to conform to the teachers complaints, her free

Read More
1019 Words | 5 Pages

This book was published in 1892 showing the difference in status between a woman and a man. According to Asha Nadkarni, Jane is considered “A heroine who chooses to become mad rather than assume her proper place in the patriarchal order” (Reproducing Feminism). For example, in the quote earlier when John was telling Jane to stop her foolishness that it was affecting not only their relationship but their child’s as well. While saying this to Jane, John’s tone sounded as if he was referring to her as a child. This continues to support the idea that men had the upper hand whereas women had to live with restrictions and rules according to their husbands.

Read More
1512 Words | 7 Pages

Primary sources are imperative in building a picture of 19th century Britain as they give us a first-hand insight into what life may have being like during the Victorian age. Upper, Middle and lower-class women in Victorian society had a very limited role, however had very different lives depending on wealth. Upper-class women had everything they needed finest clothing, servants and enjoyed everything money could offer however, had very little power. The lower-class women had less choice and although could never rise to an upper-class standing unless through marriage, they had some opportunity to rise beyond the lowest areas of society through work, becoming a prostitute or possibly a kept woman.

Read More
3174 Words | 13 Pages

Jane Eyre Discussion Questions Mrs. Amato Honors English 11 Gabby Sargenti CHAPTERS 1-4 1. Review the details Brontë provides about the weather in the opening chapter of the novel. How does this establish the mood of the story when it begins? “Cold winter” “Leafless” “Cloud” “Chilly” “Protruding rain”

Read More
991 Words | 4 Pages

First, Jane Eyre’s attributes displays women in our society who are still in search for meaning and love in their lives. Just like Jane’s spirit of passion despite abuse, these women continue to search for respect from other

Read More
2035 Words | 9 Pages

While Helen embodies the ideal young lady of the 1800s – modest, submissive, and devoted to God – Jane is characterized as being passionate and stubborn. Helen’s acceptance of death and desire to go to heaven also highlights the way Jane craves adventure and independence. However, throughout the novel, Jane begins to follow Helen’s teachings and starts to follow the word of God. By contrasting Helen’s theological beliefs against those of Mr. Brocklehurst and St John Rivers, Brontë also emphasizes how Helen is more successful in spreading God’s teachings because she does not use religion as a tool for controlling Jane’s true nature. The character of Helen Burns not only plays an important role in helping Jane develop into a more submissive woman and devoted Christian, but her positive outlook on Christianity also emphasizes the use of religion as a tool for manipulation throughout the

Read More
1588 Words | 7 Pages

Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender. The novel incorporates Jane’s frequent conflicts, oppression, isolation and self-examination as she defends her identity and independence. Set amongst five separate locations, Bronte’s skilful use of literal and metaphorical landscapes, nature, and imagery, skilfully intertwines with the plot and denotes each phrase of her maturity.

Read More
1638 Words | 7 Pages

Her refusal to submit to her social destiny shocked many Victorian readers when the novel was first released and this refusal to accept the forms, customs, and standards of society made it one of the first rebellious feminism novels of its time (Gilbert and Gubar). This essay will discuss the relationships Jane formed with the men she encountered throughout the novel and will attempt to identify moments of patriarchal oppression within the story. The first act of patriarchal oppression Jane experiences is quiet early on it the novel, during her childhood years spent at Gateshead. It is here where she must endure to live

Read More
431 Words | 2 Pages

The titular Jane in Jane Eyre struggles to free herself from the power of others to achieve independence throughout the course of the book. As a child, she fights against unjust authority figures, and as an adult, she spurs multiple unequal marriage proposals. Bronte, through Jane asserts that a woman should be independent from others. When Jane was young, she tried to free and defend herself from unjust authority figures. When Jane 's aunt unfairly confines Jane to the Red Room, Jane launches into a verbal diatribe against her aunt.

Read More
794 Words | 4 Pages

Sentence Assessment Task Rhetorical Analysis: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Austen) Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) Austen’s famous statement on marriage and equality continues to resonate in modern society. In comparison to today, the Victorian era significantly suppressed women’s rights (Hughes). However, Austen juxtaposes that idea by stating that it is the man, no matter how wealthy, who ‘must be in want of a wife.’

Read More
933 Words | 4 Pages

Charlotte Brontë´s novel Jane Eyre is considered one of Britain´s most classical literary work. The story consists of a hybrid of three genres, the Gothic novel, the Romance novel and the Bildungsroman and many critics have praised the novel. Though, the novel got a great deal of good criticism in contemporary time, its immediate reception was controversial. The story plays out during the Victorian period in Britain where the social norms were strict and there was a big gap of equality between the genders. This essay will analyse how the gender roles are portrayed and if they are modern or traditional.

Read More
747 Words | 3 Pages

With Charlotte Brontë’s father being a clergyman and member of the Church, Charlotte Brontë, as well as her sisters have been in constant contact with religion throughout their whole lives. Even though her father gave Charlotte relative freedom in developing her own ideas and beliefs, religion was an important factor in Charlotte Brontë’s life nevertheless. Through Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë expresses several issues of Victorian Britain, such as gender equality or the class system but religion is a reoccurring and omnipresent subject in Jane Eyre. Throughout the whole novel Jane is confronted with religious characters such as Mr Brocklehurst, Helen Burns and St. John Rivers. Those characters all represent three vastly different variations of Christian faith in the Victorian Era.

Read More
1192 Words | 5 Pages

and is often seen “murmuring against the comforts of the rich. ”(p,452.) here the reader experiences Jane going against her roles of class and gender as she is in no way acting as a respectable, responsible

Read More
805 Words | 4 Pages

Topic: Marriage in “Jane Eyre” In “Jane Eyre” Charlotte Brontë rejects the traditional role of women subdued by social conceptions and masculine authority by generating an identity to her female character. Thesis: Jane´s personality will bring into being a new kind of marriage based on equality, meanwhile her choice for romantic fulfilment will depend solely on her autonomy and self-government. Introduction Charlotte Brontë´s “Jane Eyre” stands as a model of genuine literature due to the fact that it breaks all conventions and stereotypes and goes beyond the boundaries of common romance in order to obtain love, identity and equality. 1.

Read More

More about Religion In Jane Eyre

Related Topics

Open Document