Jane Eyre and Social Class - Essay Example

? s School Jane Eyre and Social Jane Eyre is a novel written by Charlotte Bronte, which is an effort to portray various issues that an ordinary woman with considerably liberal views has to face. By depicting the story of Jane Eyre, Charlotte has created a lively and rigid character who knows where to take a stand and who sticks to her moral values no matter what. Her life, in this novel, is divided into three sections, each of which unfolds new and unexplored aspects of her life. The most apparent theme which emerges after having thoroughly analyzed the novel relates to the social class and the perils associated with those belonging to the lower spectrum of the society. Charlotte has expressed through words that the class differences exist in the society and the people belonging to lower class are specifically humiliated. Since Jane Eyre was also from the lower class, she was treated brutally by many different people throughout her life. Initially, at Gateshead Hall, she is mistreated by John Reed who acclaims that the social class background of Jane Eyre gives him the right to abuse Jane Eyre. Once Jane Eyre leaves Gateshead, she expects a better life at Lowood School where she thought she would pursue her dreams, however here she is mistreated by Mr. Bocklehurst who continuously makes her realize that she is nothing but a rotten piece which deserves to be thrown. Also, when she is in love with Mr. Rochester, the social class issue again becomes a problem which stops her from marrying him. Lastly, when she arrives penniless at the door of Hannah, she is again treated like a doormat owing much to her lower social class. The novel also depicts the patriarchal patterns being dominant during the era, by portraying the male characters as being offensive towards Jane Eyre; however, Jane Eyre is a feminist who resists and continues being independent. Thus, the novel is a clear exhibition of the social issues dominant during the Victorian era. Starting with the journey of Jane Eyre in the novel, she is an orphan who lives with the family of her maternal uncle, the Reeds. Here at Gateshead Hall, she is constantly mistreated by her aunt Reed and her children. Since Jane Eyre has no money and is dependent on Mrs. Reed, she naturally inherits the right to abuse Jane Eyre emotionally as well as physically. "Now, I'll teach you to rummage my book-shelves: for they are mine; all the house belongs to me, or will do in a few years" (10), as quoted by Bronte, are the words of Mrs. Reed who is acclaiming that she will “teach” Jane Eyre, which indicates the offensive tone. Later, when she is abused to such an extent that she is left in a dark room where her uncle died, she suffers from trauma, after which she is allowed to attend Lowood School. Here at Lowood, she encounters Mr. Brocklehurst who is again a corrupt and brutal man. She constantly targets Jane Eyre for her lower class and tries to prove to the world how immoral and worthless Jane Eyre is. In her book, she Bronte quotes: This I learned from her benefactress; from the pious and charitable lady who adopted her in her orphan state, reared her as her own daughter, and whose kindness, whose generosity the unhappy girl repaid by an ingratitude so bad, so dreadful, that at last her excellent patroness was obliged to separate her from her own young ones..." (67). The phrase from the novel mentioned above depicts the bias of Mr. Brocklehurst as he distinguishes between Jane Eyre and Mrs. Reed based on the social class. According to him, “pious” and “charitable” are the traits associated with Reed and words such as “kindness” have been associated with her children, however adjectives such as “bad” and even “dreadful” have been used to carve out the character of Jane Eyre who is rather a source of disgust for her. Later, when Jane Eyre attempts to become independent by taking the job of a governess for Adele, a French girl, she comes across Mr. Rochester whom she falls in love with. Again, social class becomes a curse for her as she can`t marry him based on her lower social status and for other moral reasons. At a party where she meets the high school friends of Mr. Rochester, she is again made to realize her social status after which she expresses her emotions through the phrase, “That a greater fool than Jane Eyre had never breathes the breath of life: that a more fantastic idiot had never surfeited herself on sweet lies, and swallowed poison as if it were nectar" (162) as quoted by Bronte in the novel. Thus, she pities herself over the curse she is born, which makes her a fool for loving Mr. Rochester. Lastly, when she arrives penniless at the door of Hannah, she oversees the same treatment which she has had before, and thus her social class affects her again; however, later on in the novel conditions change. Thus, all these instances are enough to explain the cursed life which someone from a lower social class had to live. Jane Eyre, despite the instances of injustice, humility and brutally inflicted upon her, continues to be a brave soul. She is independent and considerably liberal as she wants to pursue a job throughout and wants to live an independent life. However, even this independence eventually becomes a curse for her as the men she comes across are rather oppressive (Macpherson 24). In this context, the role of two of the men is significant, i.e., firstly, Mr. Brocklehurst is an oppressive character who constantly tries to overshadow Jane Eyre by humiliating her. Similarly, Mr. Rochester, though loving Jane Eyre, still portrays oppressive behavior. Throughout the novel, Mr. Rochester manipulates Jane Eyre and tries to inflict demanding behavior on her. He tries to be dominant over her, showering her with expensive gifts, which is a gesture to prove that she won`t be able to avail these luxuries anywhere. However, Jane Eyre proves to be a strong and rigid character by resisting the tempting luxuries of life and even when Rochester proposes to her, she puts forth her demand of not giving up the profession of a governess (Johnson 43). Thus, this represents the patriarchal patterns dominant during the Victorian era. Thus, Jane Eyre is a classic depiction of the social class issues being dominant and problematic during the Victorian era. This is the period of dire stereotyping and bias over the social class system. The one who was better-off in the social spectrum naturally inherits the right to abuse and target the one who`s at the lower end. Also, by explaining the mistreatment with Jane Eyre at various stages of her life, it is depicted that targeting someone for social class wasn’t merely an exception but rather a general trend during the era, which is why she is often mistreated by whoever gets a chance to abuse her; thus her social class becomes a curse for her. Similarly, Jane Eyre herself is an exception by practicing and believing in the feminist notion of being herself and being independent, also following her morals and for these morals standing up against the most comforting offers being made to her. However, the men in her life, no matter how good or bad, try to dominate her and oppress her in an effort to control her life. Some do this by abusing her, while others do the same by manipulating her. Thus, the pattern of male oppression and male dominance during the era has also been depicted in a classic way via Jane Eyre. Conclusively, Jane Eyre is a perfect depiction of the values practiced during that era by exhibiting the perfect character for the cause. Works Cited Top of Form Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Halle, n.d. Print.Bottom of Form Johnson, Claudia D. Women's Search for Independence in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Print. Macpherson, Pat. Reflecting on Jane Eyre. London: Routledge, 1989. Print. Read More