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Jane Eyre Challenges The Standards of Her Time
Jane Eyre Challenges The Standards of Her Time
Orkin
7th Grade English
February 8th, 2018
Ms. Jarvis
Refusing to Make Pudding and Knit Stockings:
Jane Eyre Challenges the Standards of Her Time
“‘No sight so sad as that of a naughty child,
…especially a naughty little girl”’(20).
In Charlotte Bronte’s nineteenth century novel, Jane Eyre, the supervisor of
Jane’s childhood school, Mr. Bocklehurst, shares that at a very young age females are
describes to Jane’s abusive aunt, Mrs. Reed, the conditions of Lowood boarding
school. The two of them additionally discuss how Lowood is a perfect place to
correct Jane’s “naughty” behavior. Jane overhears this conversation and learns from
a young age that females are expected to stay silent in matters that upset them. Even
though Jane does not completely agree with Mr. Brocklehurst’s statement, her time
at Lowood affects her personality. Mr. Rochester, Jane’s future employer, notices
Lowood’s, ‘“the Lowood constraint still clings to you somewhat; controlling your
features, muffling your voice, and restricting your limbs”’ (88). What Rochester
notices every so often is that Jane thinks too much about what is appropriate to say
and that she fears to ‘“ speak too freely’” in front of others (88). Despite this
One example of Jane’s rule-breaking behavior comes out at a very young age
while living with her Aunt Reed at Thornfield Hall. During an argument, Mrs. Reed
calls Jane deceitful, and a nine year-old Jane reacts to this with ferocity: “‘ You think I
have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot
live so: and you have no pity…. You are deceitful!’” (23). Instead of being polite and
listening to her aunt’s abuse, Jane puts Mrs. Reed in her place by letting her know
that she disagrees. Although Jane is a young child and has no power, she still feels
As Jane continues to grow, she learns to become more careful with her
language while making her point clear. Mr. Brocklehurst notices Jane in her
classroom and publicly humiliates her by calling her a liar. Later that day, Miss
Temple, the headmistress of Lowood, notices Jane’s sad behavior and asks Jane to
explain what Mr. Brocklehurst meant. Jane agrees to explain herself, taking Helen’s,
Jane’s friend’s, advice: “‘Add nothing and exaggerate nothing”’ in order to sound
truthful (45). Jane explains, “My language was more subdued than it generally was….
Thus restrained and simplified, it sounded more credible” (45). Jane realizes that
her argument sounds more believable when she balances the use of emotion and
direct language. This shows how Jane grows and still is able to speak up without
Although Jane has learned to be cognizant of her passion, even in her adult
years, she has difficulty containing her fire. Rochester, Jane’s employer at Gateshead
Hall, engages Jane in conversation and asks whether or not she thinks he is
handsome. In turn, she cannot control her response: “I should, if I had deliberated,
have replied to this question conventionally vague and polite; but the answer
somehow slipped from my tongue before I was aware- ‘No, sir”’ (83). Even though
Rochester is not offended by her direct (if not rude) response, he finds that Jane is
not as acquiescent as she appears. She regrets her statement and wishes she had
taken more care with her reply. Jane has not completely mastered the art of
has the ability to understand when it is powerful to stay silent. Even though Jane’s
most notable trait is her voice, she is smart enough know that staying silent can be
more powerful than speaking up. When Jane finds out about Bertha Mason,
Rochester’s hidden insane wife, she decides not to argue with Rochester, “‘ my
stops herself before her emotions take over. By the end of the conversation, Jane’s
silence grows: Rochester asks Jane if she still loves him and if she will commit to
him, and when she does not answer he demands, ‘“why are you silent, Jane?”’ (198).
Jane describes to the reader how intensely distressed she feels. Because Jane
understands that words cannot change their reality, silence becomes her most
powerful tool. Although Jane’s most singular trait is to speak up, she understands
One of the most profound instances where Jane vocalizes her thoughts is
found near the end of Jane’s journey in the novel. Once Jane resolves the stay in the
Rivers’ home, she confronts their housekeeper, Hannah, so that she can maintain
her place in the house. Jane finds Hannah to be a threat to her security and comfort
in the home. Hannah thinks Jane is a beggar and a thief and Jane decides “that anger
was out of the question, and that I had indeed appeared as a beggar to her, I
answered quietly, but still not without a certain marked firmness-‘ you are mistaken
in supposing me a beggar”’ (214). This shows that Jane does not allow her emotions
to lessen her chances to remain in the Rivers’ home and displays her unbending
stance. Jane’s power of speech ultimately leads Hannah not only to forgive Jane, but
also to accept her into the household. Jane’s inability to stay silent secures her place
in their house, and even further allows her to start a new life with stability.
traits. From her strength to her quick-wittedness, the personality of this young,
And her inability to stay silent is possibly her most unparalleled attribute. Jane’s
voice allows for her to hold convictions against the abusive Mrs. Reed, to prove her
for her honesty, and to take authority of her livelihood in the Rivers’ home. Not only
does Jane think it is important to speak up for herself, she also realizes that all
women should have the right to that freedom. Early on in the story, when Jane is
feeling restless, she concludes, “women are supposed to be very calm generally: but
women feel just as men feel…. And it is narrow-minded in their more privileged