Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre explores one woman’s life in 19th century England. Jane lives in a society whose culture is shallow and apathetic to virtue. Even though she is exemplary in character and intellect, these attributes are forgotten in place of class and beauty. Jane struggles with the harsh judgment she faces for being poor and conventionally unattractive. Jane departs from Victorian ideals and argues that equality must supersede gender roles and conditions of one’s birth. Phyllis Yeo contends that Jane is inconsistent.
She states that whenJane characterizes Bertha Mason as a monster because of her mental status, this fails to uphold her ideals. I disagree that the characterization of Bertha makes Jane an imperfect character. I believe Jane’s description is accurate and does not detract from her legitimacy as a morally superior character. Jane’s nature highlights the injustice of facing and overcoming adversity in a rigid society that only cares for class and superficial beauty. Society’s constraints on Jane are apparent throughout the novel. This is apparent when Jane becomes a governess for Mr.
Rochester after she becomes sick of teaching at Lowood. She says, “I tire of the routine of eight years in one afternoon. I desired liberty” (102). She would not feel the need for liberty if she did not feel confined. Even though she found respect and a comfortable living, the monotonous lifestyle still felt like a cage. When Jane secures a job, she heads to Thornfield Hall and is greeted by Alice Fairfax, whom she assumes is the owner. Alice treats her well, and this surprises Jane because the wealthy usually view her as a lesser human being. When she finds out that Alice is the housekeeper she remarks, “The enigma was explained: the affable and kind little widow was no great dame, but a dependent like myself” (119). This reveals that Jane only expects positive interactions from other dependents. Her expectation reveals that society sees “dependents” as dead weight and inferior. According to society, it is also acceptable to treat someone poorly if they belong to a lower class. Mr. Rochester does not hold this mentality. He frequently calls for Jane and speaks to her on equal terms.
Mr. Rochester notices how Lowood’s teachings have restrained Jane. He says, “The Lowood constraint still clings to you somewhat; controlling your features, muffling your voice, and restricting your limbs… you fear in the presence of a man… to smile too gaily, speak too freely, or move too quickly” (162). Jane has been taught to behave “properly” in the presence of men. This means she must act docile and show little emotion. These teachings show how society trains women to be subservient to men, and how they serve as a tool that restricts Jane.
She believes, “women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties” (130). The sexist attitudes of her time make it difficult for Jane to realize her ambition. Mr. Rochester goes on to say, “I see at intervals the glance of a curious sort of bird through the close-set bars of a cage: a vivid, restless, resolute captive is there; were it but free, it would soar cloud-high,” (162). This statement captures a major theme of the novel. Jane is a passionate, kind, and colorful character that is held back by the constraints set by society.
If she were free from gender discrimination, class oppression, and judgments of her superficial qualities, she could “soar cloud-high” (162). I have characterized Jane as a perfect character, but others believe Bertha Mason complicates this characterization. Jane labels Bertha as insane, but is this label accurate? Is this simply society’s false view about different cultures and female insanity? Phyllis Yeo states, “When Bertha was finally revealed to her, she instantly dehumanizes her by labeling Bertha as ‘the clothed hyena’…
Not only is she accepting Victorian assumptions of female insanity, she also strips Bertha of her humanity” (Yeo 3). Yeo implies that Bertha is not truly insane and that Jane’s willingness to accept Bertha’s diagnosis is hypocritical. Yeo argues that Jane’s perception is merely a reflection of provincial attitudes present in her society. I agree that Victorian ideals shape Jane’s and Rochester’s definition of insanity, but the extremity of Bertha’s mental condition shows that she is truly mentally ill.
We know that Bertha has killed a caretaker, bitten her brother, strangled Rochester on sight, lights fires, and is erratic, incoherent, and generally hostile. Any rational person would conclude that Bertha displays signs of mental illness regardless of what culture she comes from. She is not capable of living normally in society and is a danger to others, which fits the criteria for being mentally ill. Jane believes that Bertha is mentally ill, just like a psychologist would today. For that reason, Jane’s acceptance of Bertha’s insanity is justified and does not display hypocrisy in her ideals.
Jane continues to be a morally superior character. Rochester’s guests showcase how society views Jane and how the views impact her. She begins to develop a romantic interest in Mr. Rochester but is discouraged by class difference and low self-confidence. She thinks that Mr. Rochester is “her superior, who cannot possibly intend to marry her,” and she is “disconnected, poor, and plain” (186-187). She cannot comprehend that Mr. Rochester would ever want to marry someone in a lower class. She is poor and not as beautiful as the wealthy Blanche, “an accomplished lady of rank” (187).
Jane agonizes over having to suppress her emotions for someone she loves, which shows how damaging cultural customs can be. When describing Jane, Miss Ingram states, “I am a judge of physiognomy, and in hers I see all the faults of her class” (205). Here, Miss Ingram uses Jane’s physical appearance to confine her to a lower class without knowing her character or actual wealth. This sentiment is shared by all Rochester’s guests and is reflective of the general attitude in Jane’s society. The view is shallow and overlooks any positive qualities a person may have.
Their antagonism towards Jane isolates her, and she avoids them as much as possible. She dismisses them and says, “… the light of the candles had as much soul in it as their smile” (203). Jane comes to the realization that the interactions between these people are not genuine and their entire character is hollow. She can realize that the guests’ criticism is shallow, just like their personalities. After Jane gets to know Miss Ingram, she is no longer jealous of her relationship with Mr. Rochester and says, “Miss Ingram was a mark beneath jealousy: she was too inferior to excite the feeling” (215).
Miss Ingram is unable to win Mr. Rochester’s heart because she has a poor character and is only interested in his wealth. Eventually, Jane wins over Mr. Rochester because she has a genuine character and does not care if he is poor and blind. By adding the comparison between these two different characters, Bronte is able to show how favoring superficial qualities over genuine character is a societal flaw in the Victorian era. Jane strives for independence and the freedom to find what she loves but is impeded by society’s rigidity, shallowness, and ignorance.
She has to overcome her insecurities brought on by society’s harsh treatment of her class and physical appearance. Bronte made Jane an exemplary character. She is noble and kind to everyone she meets. Despite this, she faces harsh injustice. Jane’s story is meant to show the flaws of the society Bronte lives in. Misogyny, elitism, and superficial beauty create a world where people are born to fail. Nothing they could possibly do will make others disregard their wealth and appearance. Virtue goes unappreciated while the selfish and cruel face little consequences if they have wealth or beauty.