Throughout history, there has always been a single entity which forces the female
majority of the society to become subservient. Since ancient times, women have been the
servants of men; forced to do their bidding. It’s the only thing they could do to survive! But no
longer; women have decided to stand up for themselves, and become strong and independent. A
prime example of this feminism, which can be defined as “the advocacy of women’s rights”,
would be the novel Jane Eyre. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is a prime example of
feminist excellence as it tells the story of an abused girl who overcomes the abuse and problems
she encounters to grow up and become an independent, self-serving woman.
Jane, rather than outwardly express her feminist views, chooses to subconsciously
express them through her speech and actions. From her experiences as a child, for example,
where her cousin bullied her into submission, to her experiences as a governess while interacting
with Rochester, she is seen attempting to establish firm ground as a woman who will find any
way to rise above the men who keep her down. Specifically, when referring to Rochester, Jane,
instead of allowing herself to enjoy the gifts and jewelry that Rochester gives her, she
subconsciously rejects them, and ends up becoming annoyed with his moves. She did not want to
become an object of his desire, but rather wanted to show him that she is just as much of a
person as he is. As the arc of her life with Rochester was coming to a close, Jane again shows her
ability to defy the expectations of the mighty man. Jane, with a stunning amount of courage,
takes herself and leaves Thornfield against Rochester’s wishes. This is huge. Not only does she
show up Rochester and his male values, but she also breaks the chains of emotional bondage to
him. Even though he does not want her to leave, because he “loves” her, she is able to go,
knowing full well that doing so will strengthen her resolve and her ability to live independently.
As she leaves, she throws away her chances of becoming Rochester’s mistress, and keeps the
dignity she subconsciously develops and holds onto for dear life. Although all of her senses had
wanted her to stay, which could very well be the result of the absorption of man’s parasitical
pheromone releases, she is able to stay strong and make her own decisions.
Where did all of this strength come from though? All of her experiences from childhood
created a snowball effect which eventually peaked at where she could have limitless decision
making ability. This snowball began as a very small build up, when she first had to battle her
cousin, although these fights were primarily within her mind. However, when she moved to
Lowood, she was able to meet Helen, who fortified and gave her strength in times of need. She
was even able to defy Mr. Brocklehurst, the disgusting pig who ruled over the school with little
to no cares about the lifestyle and health of the girls who studied there, by answering him when
asked about where evil children were sent after death. This response is a clear example of her
current mental strength. With help from her teachers and friends, such as Helen and Miss Temple,
she is able to develop mental strength and fortitude, which she uses to combat the forces of evil,
who wish to destroy her both physically and mentally by keeping her down, and attempting to
transform her into a mere object, used as a servant or other uses.
Jane Eyre is a prime example of a fantastic piece of feminist literature in which Charlotte
Bronte is able to explain how one woman can stand up against the patriarchy and survive and
live a happy life doing what she wants to do without any man forcing her to do anything. The
novel tells the story of a once subservient girl undergoing a transformation and becoming a
strong, independent woman who can fight for herself and what she believes in. Like the
transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, her adaptation to the patriarchy is both beautiful
and tear-jerking.
titsay
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annaxmalina
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