Jane Eyre is a timeless classic of literature. Jane’s story is one of pain, hardship, and isolation; however, Jane finds within herself the ability to persevere through it all. Jane finds an inner strength that allows her to become one of the most beloved characters in literature. Jane has suffered abuse at the hands of those who are meant to care for her, Jane is mistreated by those around her, Jane has been separated from the ones she loves; however Jane manages to persevere through it all. Jane’s story is one of isolation and how Jane finds within herself the ability to overcome it.
Jane Eyre was born illegitimate, with no father present in her life. Jane grows up knowing that she is different from all the other children because they have fathers while Jane does not. At Lowood Jane meets Helen Burns who helps Jane see that even though she may be different there are still similarities between them that allow them to build a friendship based on mutual understanding and support (Watt 31). Though this friendship ends quickly after Miss Temple discovers the two girls embracing each other in Jane’s bed.
Jane leaves Lowood and is sent to Thornfield Hall as a governess. Jane quickly becomes friends with young Adele, who Jane looks after during her time at Thornfield Hall (Watt 40). Jane also bonds with Mr. Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall, but Jane’s relationship with him is complicated by the fact that she knows he is still married to Bertha Mason (Watt 43). Jane later discovers that Mr. Rochester wants to marry her and sets out to save him from his crazy wife whom Jane believes will ruin their chances of happiness together if they were ever found out (Watt 44-46).
However, when Jane finally makes her way to England she finds out that not only was Bertha Mason already dead, Jane also finds out that by marrying Jane Mr. Rochester lost all of his money because Jane was an orphan (Hoppenstance). Jane leaves Thornfield Hall heartbroken and completely alone. Jane is forced to find work as a governess for the Rivers family; this move brings Jane into contact with St John Rivers (Gilbert 83). While at her new job Jane meets St John Rivers who immediately becomes infatuated with Jane (Gilbert 83).
Jane becomes friends with both Mary and Diana but their friendship is coldly received by their brother St John. Everyone’s relationship changes when it is discovered that Mr. Mason has died leaving Jane a fortune in his will which allows Jane to realize her dream of becoming a teacher at a girls school (Gilbert 87). Jane becomes part of a group known as the Rivers family and Jane’s relationship with St John is forced into a corner when he proposes to Jane. Jane refuses him, because she does not love him that way even though Jane realizes that her romantic interest may be in a woman instead of a man (Gilbert 89).
Jane returns to Thornfield Hall to tell Mr. Rochester about the money when it is discovered through Adele that Jane never married Mr. Rochester when she had the chance. This discovery changes Jane’s life when she finds out from Mr. Mason’s lawyer that he left Jane his entire fortune because he was dying and wanted her to have the money before Bertha Mason spent it all on whims (Gilbert 90). Jane marries Mr. Rochester and they live happily together until Jane’s wedding night when Jane discovers that Mr. Rochester has a wife hidden away in his attic (Gilbert 96-98).
Jane flees Thornfield Hall hoping to never return, but her love for Mr. Rochester makes Jane come back hoping to convince him to leave with her (Watt 120). Jane finally leaves Thornfield Hall after Bertha’s death and the two share their first kiss on Jane’s doorstep before she runs away from him because of what he once was planning on doing to her if she would have stayed (Watt 126-128). Jane travels back to her childhood home hoping to find some kind of peace of mind from everything that happened at Thornfield hall (Watt 130).
Jane finds an old friend of hers, Diana and Jane falls into a deep depression until she finally decides to use her money from Mr. Mason and open up her own school for girls which Jane is happy to do until the day that Jane dies (Watt 136-138). Jane’s life was full of isolation but Jane never let this stop her from doing what needed to be done; Jane knew how to control who she opened herself up to and who she didn’t. Jane used these skills throughout all of Jane’s life and instead became isolated because of it.
Jane falls in love with her brooding yet kind employer Mr. Rochester only to learn that he harbors dark secrets and that she too may have “eyes in the back of ‘her’ head.” Jane must decide whether to stay near the man she loves despite his mysterious past or go off into isolation once again.
The theme of isolation can be seen throughout Jane Eyre. Jane’s upbringing has forced her into isolation. Jane is sent to Lowood School at a young age where she learns about the world around her and becomes aware of being an outcast. Jane’s upbringing has made her seen as different by others, Jane doesn’t completely fit in with any social structure so she must be alone through much of her time growing up. Jane thinks back to this isolated upbringing when she thinks about how there was no one like herself during those times: Jane has left some money and on turning it, found that it amounted to some £1500.
– Jane had no friends or family near her those two years; for long they seemed desolate years to me. ( Jane Eyre )- At school, Jane is a mere ghost in the eyes of her classmates, Jane is a complete outcast. Jane’s isolation makes her feel like she has no one to rely on or talk about certain things with: ‘It was not pleasant to hear my own praises sounded by another; still less was it pleasant to know that I had to blush for what he said.’
– Jane feels isolated from nature and God, Jane often finds solace in the groves around Rochester’s house. Jane longs to be surrounded by nature once more when she leaves Thornfield for Moor House. Jane longs for a connection with a higher power even though she doesn’t outwardly appear religious: ‘I could not help being borne away by the strong current of my own thoughts; and as I leaned on the sun-dial, and saw Jane approach me…’.
– Jane is isolated from those around her when she first arrives at Moor House, Jane isn’t treated very well by Helen: ‘I had neither kith nor kin in England, nor anything that seemed likely to draw me to a new country.’ ( Jane Eyre )
– After leaving Thornfield, Jane finds herself alone once more as she must adjust to life as a single woman. Jane gradually becomes accustomed though after time: ‘. . .I began to feel the pleasure of drawing nearer home—of being again surrounded by those who loved me.’