The novel "Jane Eyre " written by Charlotte Bronte , is one of great love story tradition, in which Jane Eyre is clearly the heroine of the novel. She is a heroine in the way she copes, and is also a significant female role model.
From the very beginning Jane has had to be strong and cope with much hardship. The harsh upbringing that Jane has had to endure from her Aunt, and the torment from her cousins have made her very strong-minded, as a result of which she has matured early and has a well-developed sense of right and wrong.Jane's character is also very truthful as when she leaves to go to school at Lowood she tells her Aunt, "I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you. " This is a very powerful thing for a girl of that age to say, and she is therefore showing strength and maturity beyond her years. As a child she also shows herself a very good judge of character, warming towards Miss Temple and Helen Burns, whilst hating Mrs Reed and Mr Brockelhurst.
Jane is thought of by others as a heroine in the way she copes with Mr Brocklehurst's requests. The themes of female independence and the role of women in the late eighteenth century are both strong ones throughout the book. Marriage was seen as the only goal in a woman's life and was taken very seriously as a financial and business deal. Jane could easily be described as a "feminist", as she rejects the man she loves.She would rather be alone and independent than with Rochester on his rules, having to "admire and emulate his courage and devotion and vigour: accommodate quietly to his masterhood" and "smile undisturbed at his ineradicable ambition". Jane says that she would "suffer often, no doubt, attached to him only in this capacity.
" Jane learns to keep her passionate side quiet except when driven to extremes: " I never in my life have known any medium in my dealings with positive, hard characters, antagonistic to my own, between absolute submission and determined revolt".She is clearly an assertive heroine, being neither patient nor subservient with anyone. However, since she often chooses to keep quiet rather than speak her mind, this shows us that Jane has a lot of respect for people's feelings and not just her own, although, when called upon she is forthright and honest in her opinion. This combination of honesty and respect makes Jane a character to be admired. The fact that Charlotte Bronte uses narrative method, makes the reader feel a lot closer to Jane.She feels real and believable.
The bond between Jane and the reader becomes a lot stronger as Jane confides in us directly saying; "Reader, I married him". Bronte also uses the surroundings to depict Jane's mood: the afternoon was depressing offering "a pale blank of mist and cloud". This tells us that Jane is feeling low and depressed. Charlotte often uses these images of nature and they become heavily symbolic and important in the novel.
In conclusion, Charlotte Bronte uses many ways to show Jane Eyre as an interesting and convincing heroine of this romantic novel. Bronte's plot with its series of hopes and disappointments, the use of Jane's intimate narration of the story, and powerful symbolic description all combine to help the reader to feel closer to Jane and therefore, to follow her through all her trials to a happy ending deserved by such a brave, independent and virtuous woman.
