by Yocheved Schlachter

Created on: December 11, 2008   Last Updated: December 03, 2011

Feminism in Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is a novel of a young girl's self discovery. Woven throughout is a distinctly feminist theme as the novel portrays the many obstacles Jane must face in her attempt to assert herself as a free and independent woman, controlled by no man. At every stop along the road to self discovery, Jane faces another deterrent, and yet she emerges from each locale that much closer to her goal, having overcome the obstacles there and having resisted all attempts at male domination.

Written during the Victorian era in Britain, Jane Eyre reflects the prevailing attitude towards women during that historical period. Women were expected to be meek and docile and show restraint at all times. They were warned against unladylike behavior such as showing any kind of animation. (Tyrell 190) Indeed, Jane is often criticized by her aunt for being far too passionate' than is proper for a young lady. There was also an "over-emphasis on feminine accomplishments" such as dance, drawing, sewing and cooking rather than academic subjects such as science and history. The popular belief was that God intended women to be solely wives and mothers. (Tyrell 195) In matters of ownership of property and marriage, women were thought to be inferior. It was the men who dominated in all such areas and it was the men who were valued. This attitude is seen in Mrs. Reed's overindulgence of her spoiled son, John, who eventually is the cause of not only his own death, but of Mrs. Reed's as well. (Clarke 704) In short, women were "treated like children, with no control over their own lives and endured lives of discontent, unhappiness, disease and early decay." (Tyrell 197)

The novel opens with a vivid description of Jane's suffering at the hands of her young male cousin, John Reeds, and his mother, Jane's aunt. Jane, excluded from a family gathering, sits on the window seat looking out the window. Bronte describes the view as one of a "drear winter day." (10) Her depiction of the landscape reflects the mood indoors and perhaps the tone of Jane's whole life until now. The weather is constantly described as cold and dreary, with "leafless shrubbery," connoting a sense of hopelessness. (Bronte 11) All Jane has known until now has been the relative luxury but emotional privations of Gateshead. She has never been shown any love or affection. She spends her time trying to avoid John Reed who attempts to assert his male dominance by tormenting Jane. He orders her

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