Critical Lens Essay On Jane Eyre

In the beginning of the book, Eyre is living with the Reed family, her aunt and cousins. The Reeds were very wealthy, unlike Jane Eyre’s family. Mrs. Reed’s children are very rude to Jane Eyre especially her son John. Since Eyre has lived with them, she has had to bite her tongue to ensure she doesn’t say anything to upset Mrs. Reed. Well one day John pushed

“Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, or creed.

     Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is a coming-of-age story about an unconventional woman's development within a society of strict rules and expectations. At pivotal moments in Jane's life, she makes choices which are influenced by her emotions and/or her reason. Through the results of those choices, Jane learns to balance passion and practicality to achieve true happiness.

Throughout the novel Jane Eyre, the main character Jane sets off on several quests, though there are two main departures that beg the focus of analysis. After completing her education and teaching at Lowood academy, Jane, the quester in question, sets off in pursuit of a change in her life that she desires. Her destination becomes Thornfield manor, and she believes that her position of governess there will fulfill her stated purpose of a change in life from the dreary Lowood.

Through a close reading of the selected passage of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre: An Autobiography, a reader can see that Jane attempts to separate herself from her decisions by personifying her emotions and giving them a specific voice, which strongly reflects the societal views of the time. At this point in the story, Jane has discovered, on her wedding day, that Mr. Rochester is still married to a woman named Bertha, and that woman still lives in his house. Distraught, Jane locks herself in her room and tries to decide what she should do. When she wakes up the next day, she is again confronted with what she needs to do in the wake of her discovery.

In the first few opening chapters Jane Eyre is seen as a mentally and physically abused child, during her years at Gateshead Hall. John Reed displays violence towards Jane in the first chapter. He punishes and bullies Jane; it is not known why the Reed family resent her so much. Her situation is seen as desperate within the first few paragraphs. Her cousins and Aunt make her life impossible and unbearable, she is not seen as a member of the family. Jane is simply seen as ‘’less than a servant’’ as she does ‘’nothing for her keep’’.

How can a girl, who started out with nothing, blossom into a well educated, generous, blissful woman? Well, in Jane Eyre, the main character overcomes all obstacles thrown at her and makes a great life for herself. From a miserable, orphaned young girl to a happily married, well educated woman, Jane Eyre transforms immensely throughout the novel. Through her many experiences in essential locations, she grows significantly at Gateshead, Lowood School, Thornfield, Marsh End, and Ferndean.

At first glance Jane Eyre may seem to be a young woman with semi-bad taste in men, but she is actually much more complex a character than that. Jane is driven by her craving for freedom, her desire to be useful, and her yearning to fit in somewhere. She is rich in character with a stubborn, strong willed, and passionate personality. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, whether it is a family she wants to have, or a marriage that is unfair and without balance. As an adult, Jane is a level headed young woman, but as a child she let her passions get the best of her. She tones down this passion quite a bit as she grows older and gains more experience, and channels it into other areas of her life.

Jane Eyre Through the Feminist Lens The theme of male dominance permeates Jane Eyre, reflecting the impact of patriarchal Victorian society. Chris Lewis’ “Separate Spheres and Women’s Status in 19th Century England” analyzes Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre through the feminist lens of literary criticism. This lens involves examining problems created by a male-dominated society and how the effects of gender roles have changed over time. Revealing conditions of women in Victorian England, Lewis’ article accurately analyzes women’s dependence on men, gender expectations, and double standards on morality as causes of problems seen in Jane Eyre, thus providing apt criticism of patriarchal society.

When searching for female role models in literature across the ages, one may look towards Jane Eyre, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and The Joy Luck Club. Set in 19th century England, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, is the memoir of an orphan named Jane Eyre. From her first memories, Jane is different from the people around her and is treated as such. She faces prejudices for her social an economic status, as well as for being an educated woman. To see the world, Jane finds work as a governess for Adele, the charismatic ward of Mr. Rochester, at Thornfield manor. Brontë uses characters around Jane to compare the ideals for women in her society with the hope of what women could be. In the end, Jane and Mr. Rochester are married, but only after

After reading the first chapters of Emma, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre, there is a lot to be said about each story. However, these stories would be nothing without their authors. Based on the first chapter reading of Emma, written by Jane Austen, the main character Emma Woodhouse takes credit for the romance between her governess Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston (Austen 362). Pleased by her matchmaking success, Emma tries to find family friend, Mr. Elton, a wife (367). In Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë, main character Mr. Lockwood and new tenant to Thrushcross Grange visits his landlord Mr. Heathcliff (E. Brontë 368). Upon arrival Lockwood senses that Mr. Heathcliff doesn't want him there, still Lockwood decides to come back the next day (371). In Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, a young girl named Jane Eyre is not allowed to play with her cousins by orders of her aunt (C. Brontë 372). Mocked by her cousin John, she gets mad and they fight it out (374). However, Jane gets in trouble and her aunt sends her to the “red room” (376) Nonetheless, Emma, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre all establish: setting, conflict, and tone alongside the characters.

Jane Eyre is a story of a quest to be loved. Jane searches, not just for romantic love, but also for a sense of being valued and belonging. However, this search is constantly hindered by her need for independence. She starts of as an unloved orphan who is desperate to find love and a purpose. For example, Jane says to Helen, “to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest”. However, over the course of the novel, Jane learns to gain love without harming herself in the process. Although she is despised by her aunt, Mrs. Reed, she finds parental figures throughout the book. Miss Temple and Bessie care for Jane and give her love and guidance. However, Jane does not feel as though she has found

The major criticisms of the novel in question to be the melodrama used by the author and the wickedness of character shown in Jane and Mr. Rochester. While most critics admired the style of writing and truth of character portrayal, they did not admire the improbability of circumstances or the characters portrayed.

Firstly, Jane Eyre is a young woman who faces hardships with great determination. Raised by Mrs. Reed, a cruel aunt, she is sent to

Firstly, Jane Eyre is a young woman who faces hardships with great determination. Raised by Mrs. Reed, a cruel aunt, she is sent