Sacrifice In Jane Eyre And A Raisin In The Sun

We first encounter this relationship between Jane and Rochester during their first dramatic meeting. She encounters him when he falls off his horse and she is required to give him assistance. Jane’s first impression of his face is that ‘He had a dark face, with stern features and a heavy brow’. This may portray the dimness in his face awaiting to be enlightened by a woman which, in this case Jane. Further on in this chapter, unaware of who he is, on her return home, Jane is amazed to discover that the gentleman she assisted in the road was her employer, Mr. Edward Rochester. Jane’s future relationship with Rochester is most clearly set out in their first meeting. Although without any money, reserved and socially dependent, Jane is not

When Rochester proposes to Jane she gives in to love. But then becomes afraid of loosing her autonomy and self image. "And then you won't know me, sir; and I shall not be your Jane Eyre any longer, but an ape in a harlequin's jacket--a jay in borrowed plumes" (Bronte 263). Jane says this to Rochester after he elaborates to Jane about giving her jewels to make her even more beautiful then she already is. But as Jane sees it, if she puts on something that isn't her, she will loose her image of herself, and in addition, her autonomy. She would loose her autonomy because she would be allowing someone to make a decision for her when she is perfectly capable of making it. Her fear of losing her autonomy motivates her refusal of Rochester's marriage proposal. Jane believes that "marrying" Rochester while he remains legally tied to Bertha, Rochester's wife at the time, would mean rendering herself a mistress and sacrificing her own integrity for the sake of emotional gratification.

As a feminist, Jane is able to protect herself when she is in a situation where she needs to be defended. For instance, when her brutish older cousin John hurls a hardcover book at her head, she pounces back by attacking him in defense. She also faces no difficulty in successfully defeating her cold-hearted aunt in a verbal fight, just at the tender age of ten. Jane is surely unafraid of the consequences that she has to face on actions that she believes as rightfully done. This amazing trait remains even as she proceeds into adulthood and meets the love of her life. She is able to deal with, and even stand up to Mr. Rochester’s unreasonable verbal attacks directed at her. She clearly shows her dauntless side of her personality, by speaking her own mind when Mr. Rochester demands for the money that he had given her. Jane refuses clear cut, and Mr. Rochester asks to then at least let him see the cash. Jane refuses again by retorting that he is “not to be trusted.” Jane has an honest and truthful soul who knows how to speak for herself, unlike many women during this period of time. Jane is never concerned about what other people would think of her if she tells them the exact truth about everything. She is able to inform her departure by cancelling off the wedding between herself and Mr. Rochester after what she had witnessed and experienced. Jane cries out “you are a married man-or as good as a married man, and wed to one inferior to you- to one with whom you have no sympathy- whom I do not believe you truly love; for I have seen and heard you sneer at her. I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than you- let me go!” Jane is able to truthfully utter her thoughts, her true opinion without being afraid; even if it was to someone she dearly loved. When Mr. Rochester angrily cries out, “Jane, be still; don’t struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its

What do I sacrifice? Famine for food, expectation for convent to be privileged to put my arms round what I value-to press my lips to what I love-to repose on what I trust: Is that to make a sacrifice? If so, then certainly I delight in sacrifice.”’

“May your eyes never shed such stormy, scalding, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine… so hopeless and so agonized as in that hour... for may you never, like me, dread to be an instrument of evil to what you wholly love.” (Chapter 27) This quote from the novel, Jane Eyre, emphasizes on the main character’s priorities and values as a human being and a Christian. Throughout the novel Jane sacrifices her own happiness and pleasure for others in order to stay in line with her personal beliefs. Her decisions and sacrifices are what guide the plot throughout novel.

Eyre’s words agree the crucial point in my research paper. For example, recall that Robert Burns describes a poor man as honest. However, one can not classify a soul as honest if the soul lacks the tenacity to make change. In other words, one who has a heart will take the initiative and make things right. In the case of the novel, Jane assumes that Rochester thinks of her with stereotypes used for the indigent. Yet, this story takes place in the Victorian era, so it is possible that the characters inherit Romantic values. If I am correct, then the story may serve as a message for women’s rights. A human, regardless of his or her sex, has a heart that is yet to be revealed.

Bronte characterizes Jane Eyre as a poor girl full insecurities who was constantly belittled by her own family; she couldn’t rely on anyone but herself. She was an orphan for a while and this helped her grow and discover her true identity, whereas Rochester was an old, rich man who was an owner and had so much to offer. Rochester fell in love with Jane who is the complete opposite of who he is and she eventually becomes a heiress which helped economically as well as the relationship with Rochester. The social class in the Victorian Era was that women had to depend on men and families usually let go of their daughters at a young age in order for them to get married to a rich man who could give and provide her with luxurious things, but Jane

Rochester builds her character by forcing her to endure romantic hardship. Despite her strong romantic feelings, she decides that she must stay away from him. Earlier, when Jane is a young child living without anyone to care for, she reasons, “Human beings must love something” (Brontë 28). This heartfelt sentiment gives the reader insight into how important it is for Jane to show affection towards someone. Later, when the first potential object of her romantic love becomes Mr. Rochester, her choice to restrain her feelings for him demonstrates a large amount of self-discipline, due to this pre-established need to give away affection.

Not only do her thoughts betray her independent spirit, but so too do her actions and words. Her relationship with Mr. Rochester is heavily defined by her brash actions and opinionated answers. Mr. Rochester, a typical Victorian male, exudes superiority even when he professes his love to Jane, sending out subtle hints about how she should act and live while planning the wedding. In many of the conversations between Mr. Rochester and Jane, Jane opens up more than is socially acceptable, proving herself to be just as fierce in her opinions as her employer. In one conversation, she tells Mr. Rochester, “It is my spirit that addresses your spirit…equal—as we are” (Brontë 296). She establishes herself as an equal in her relationship with Mr. Rochester before she even accepts his proposal. Similarly, Jane’s relationship with her cousin St. John is riddled with her independent spirit. Jane refuses to marry St. John when his ideas of love clash heavily with her own, verbally scorning his love and his impassionate proposal. She explains to Mr. Rochester that St. John, “is good and great, but severe; and for me, cold as an iceberg. He is not like you, sir; I am not happy at his side” (Brontë 514). Doing so jeopardizes her chances of a good home and financial stability, but she refuses to compromise her own convictions and happiness even for the sake of comfort.

With Jane Eyre telling Mr. Rochester to treat her equal in the movie, she breaks down a barrier of inequality of women in that day and age. Jane Eyre said to Mr. Rochester, “And become nothing to you? Am I a machine without feelings? Do you think that because I am poor, obscure, plain and little that I am soulless and heartless? I have as much soul as you and full as much heart […] stood at God's feet equal. As we are!” I totally agree with this quote. Just because Jane Eyre is a women does not mean men should treat her like she is beneath them. In those days, the women served the men and obeyed their orders. Jane Eyre stood her ground letting Mr. Rochester know that she not machine. Everyone has feelings that affect their demeanor. I believe

Also, even though Rochester and Jane were of different classes, Charlotte Bronte presents him as an intelligent person. Both Edward and Jane enjoy conversations with each other. However, Jane does not express her feelings as clearly as Rochester does. So he dresses up as a gypsy and tries to find out what she thinks of the marriage, which everyone assumes that he will with Blanche. Although, both Jane Eyre and Rochester have are fond of each other, Edward was deceitful to Jane. For example, when Jane found out about Mr Rochester’s first wife, he first says that they can run away as ‘brother and sister’. However Jane refuses. Rochester tries another tactic and asks her to be his mistress. But Jane was too virtuous to accept the offer and had no other alternative but to leave Thornfield.

Jane Eyre followed her passion with Mr. Rochester, the man she deeply fell in love with, and deprioritized the conscience, contributing to the great transformation of Jane, indicating the pursuit of women free rights. Eventually did Jane insist her choice of refusing St. John and embrace Mr. Rochester after she found his plight. She followed her own free will and reveals the author’s fight for women’s rights.

Beginning with Jane Eyre, the novel itself is a critical of Victorian England’s strict hierarchy. Bronte explores the complex social placements of governesses which was the most prominent exploration of this theme. Jane was a figure of an ambiguous class standing, and subsequently, a source of high tension for the characters around her in the novel. Jane’s overall mannerisms and education are those of high standings, of those of aristocrat. A Victorian governesses, who tutored young children in life skills such as etiquette and as well as academics; Jane was expected to embody the “culture” of the aristocracy. However, as a paid employee she was more or less treated as servants; consequently Jane remains broke and powerless while residing a Thornfield. Jane’s understanding of the double standards against her become clear when she accepts her feelings for Rochester. Jane is his intellectual, but not social equal. Even before Rochester’s big secret about Bertha Mason, Jane was hesitant to marry him because she knew that she would feel like she owed him for “condescending” to marry her. In chapter seventeen, Jane’s distress appears to be a critique of the Victorian class attitudes. Jane herself, as portrayed in the novel, is very vocal about speaking against class prejudice in particular moments in the book. An example, in chapter twenty three she chews out Rochester: “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I have as much soul as you—and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you.” Sadly it is important to state that nowhere in Jane Eyre are the society’s boundaries bent. In the end the Jane is only able to marry Rochester as her equal

Jane realizes her own detachment from God in the days in which she is courted by Rochester, and when she discovers his existing marriage she knows she must leave Thornfield. Leaving her position at Thornfield was not easy for Jane, who had been a dependent her entire life and found herself relying on begging, which drew a suspicion to those around her because of the visual contrast between her decent clothing and awful situation. Taken in by the Rivers family, Jane again becomes a dependent until she becomes aware of the existence of her inheritance, which gives her the key to independence. During this time, Rochester “in his humbled state seeks God… and Jane's virtue, her earlier refusal to become Rochester's mistress, is graciously honored by God's dealings with Rochester, who, having been refined by fire physically, morally, and spiritually, can now be Jane's [equal] partner” (Griesinger 54). Only by being divided for this period of time can the two become united in a holy matrimony, as Jane had the time to prove her independence and Rochester had the time to become right with God. The contrast between Rochester’s two proposals directly illustrates Jane’s cherishment of her own relationship with God, and her equality in her marriage to Rochester. To further demonstrate Jane’s commitment to retaining her sense of biblical feminism, Brontë includes an additional proposal delivered by St. John Rivers.

Edward Fairfax Rochester appears in the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë as the protagonist’s employer main love interest. Jane’s first impression of him is that he is cold, prideful, and in her own words, “I am sure most people would have thought him an ugly man” (Brontë 140). She warms up to her employer during her stay at Thornfield Hall, however, and discovers a new side of Mr. Rochester she didn’t see before. He is a match with her in intelligence and wit, and seems to favor her presence above the others. Whenever the two meet, he “always had a word and sometimes a smile for me” (Brontë 155), and they converse with each other frequently. Their bond as master and employee grows into something more with each meeting. However, one obstacle stands in the way of their romance, namely in the form of Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester’s still living wife trapped in the third floor of the house. Jane leaves Thornfield Hall, unable to put love before her faith, and Mr Rochester is devastated. Eventually, with much difficulty and sacrifice, Jane and Mr.Rochester are able to get married in the end, and live out the rest of their days in peace.