Rachel Straughn

September 28, 2017

ENGL 259
Jane Eyre in Times of Crisis and Change

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is an English novel published in 1847, originally under the

title Jane Eyre: An Autobiography and pen name “Currer Bell.” The novel details the thoughts,

emotions, and experiences of its namesake, as she grows from a young, friendless orphan into a

composed, sensible governess at a mansion called Thornfield Hall. The novel is considered to be

revolutionary for a variety of reasons, including the way in which it so personally described a

woman’s stream of consciousness and its elements of social criticism toward issues such as

social class, feminism, and religion. Bronte also used many aspects from her own life within the

novel. For instance, Lowood Institution, Thornfield Hall, and Ferndean Manor were all based on

actual locations in North England (Davies). The characters of Helen Burns, John Reed, and Mr.

Brocklehurst were inspired by Bronte’s sisters, brother, and the director of her sisters’ school,

respectively. Finally, the character of Jane was based largely on Bronte herself, who wished to

tell a story about “a heroine as plain and little as I am” (Walker). These components of Bronte’s

context come together in a coming-of-age novel marked by distinct chapters, or crises, in Jane’s

life. Each time of crisis is unique in its location and influence on shaping Jane’s identity as a

strong feminist character in the early 19th century. There are three significant times and locations

of crisis within Jane Eyre: Lowood Institution, Thornfield Hall, and Moore House.

The first notable crisis and period of growth in Jane’s life occurs during her stay at

Lowood Institution. The events here include mainly religious influences in Jane’s identity as an

individual and friend. The evangelical Mr. Brocklehurst subjects the girls at the school to harsh

living conditions and oppressive rules, claiming that he is providing them with a life of modesty

that will strengthen their relationship with God. Hypocritically, he lives a wealthy and powerful
life and does not subject this own family to the same rules. Jane, who wants a fresh start at

Lowood after her time at her aunt’s mansion, is nervous in his presence and feels hopeless and

alone when Mr. Brocklehurst shames her in front of the entire school, labeling her a liar.

“Nothing sustained me; left to myself I abandoned myself, and my tears watered the boards. I

had meant to be so good, and to do so much at Lowood…now, here I lay again crushed and

trodden on; and could I ever rise more?” (Bronte 58) Fortunately, the superintendent Miss

Temple and Jane’s classmate Helen Burns serve as counters to Mr. Brocklehurst’s sharp and

judging influence on Jane. Both come to Jane’s rescue when she is feeling most despondent.

Miss Temple helps to clear Jane’s name by writing to Mr. Lloyd and offers companionship to

Jane and Helen by in inviting them to her apartment in the evenings. This is the first time in

Jane’s memory that an adult has advocated for her, thus demonstrating to Jane that not all figures

of authority are like her aunt or Mr. Brocklehurst. Yet even with a supportive mother figure such

as Miss Temple, Jane experiences the most personal growth through her conversations with

Helen, who is confident in her own religious beliefs and shares them with Jane: “‘If all the world

hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved

you from guilt, you would not be without friends…God waits only the separation of spirit and

flesh to crown us with a full reward. Why, then, should we ever sink overwhelmed with

distress?’” (Bronte 59) This moment here is the seed by which Jane’s self-confidence, supported

by her faith, begins to grow. It is supported in Jane’s final conversation with Helen on the night

she passes from typhoid fever: “‘My Maker and yours, who will never destroy what He created. I

rely implicitly on His power, and confide wholly in His goodness: I count the hours till that

eventful one arrives which shall restore me to Him, reveal Him to me…You will come to the

same region of happiness: be received by the same mighty, universal Parent, no doubt, dear
Jane.’” (Bronte 70) Helen has softened Jane considerably. She constantly makes Jane address

and question her own fierce, headstrong character when it comes to facing fear. Instead of

rejecting the idea of an unknown future, Helen helps Jane come to terms and even find some

comfort with the feeling of uncertainty. If it were not for the characters of Helen Burns and Miss

Temple, Mr. Brocklehurst and the conditions at Lowood would have surely weakened Jane’s will

to continue forward. It is this confidence in herself and her religion that ultimately allows Jane to

decide she is ready to leave Lowood at the age of 18 and advertise for work somewhere new. At

the end of this crisis or period of her life, Jane is comfortable in identifying what she wants from

her life, but understands that her low and ambiguous social class will largely dictate her future.

In the next chapter of her life, Jane finally begins to understand the influences of social

class on her place in society and personal relationships. This understanding helps Jane realize

that if anybody is to look out for her best interests, it will be herself. Jane is in a unique position

as a governess in Thornfield Hall. She gets to exercise and showcase her intellectual and creative

abilities when teaching Adele, but socially remains at a level closer to that of the house workers.

This is solidified when she finally meets Mr. Rochester, who firmly establishes that they are

master and servant. Yet, he enjoys Jane’s company and subsequently sends for her most

evenings, even when he has guests. Jane feels the difference in class more potently than Mr.

Rochester. For instance, Jane writes about her disbelief at Mr. Rochester’s guests, who manage

to spend their days at Thornfield doing almost nothing of intellectual substance. This makes Jane

realize that she would much rather be in her current position than be rich, vain, and shallow.

Meanwhile, she and Mr. Rochester develop a strong romantic connection, which Jane tries to

reject due to their differences in social class: “‘You, a favorite with Mr. Rochester? You gifted

with the power of pleasing him? You of importance to him in any way? Go! Your folly sickens
me…It does good to no woman to be flattered by her superior.” (Bronte 140) Despite Mr.

Rochester’s word to treat her as an equal, the differences remain visible, especially when he

funds her trip to see Mrs. Reed, her pearl necklace, and her clothes before their wedding. Jane’s

uncertainty in the true structure and nature of their relationship reaches its peak when it is

revealed that Mr. Rochester is already married to the manic Bertha, who lives hidden in

Thornfield Hall. It is here that Jane must decide: live a secret and temporary life of happiness

with Mr. Rochester as his mistress or leave Mr. Rochester and maintain her integrity. When Mr.

Rochester tells her about how he hates the memory of his previous mistresses, her decision

becomes clear. “I felt the truth of these words…to become the successor of these poor girls, he

would one day regard me with the same feeling which now in his mind desecrated their

memory.” Jane chooses the latter and runs away in the early morning. This is Jane’s defining

moment as a woman of principle. In a time when status and the opinions of men were of utmost

importance, Jane makes it her own priority to preserve herself and her beliefs. At the end of this

period, Jane can identify her principles and stick to them, even if that means leaving Mr.

Rochester and rejecting his offer to run away with him. However, even though she is familiar

with feeling uncertainty for her future, she is more afraid than ever.

The third period of crisis in Jane’s life encompasses her time at Moore House and

Ferndean Manor, where her convictions strengthen through gender relations. When Jane arrives

at Whitcross, she is weak, broke, and losing hope. With each day that she spends wandering the

village, the reader sees Jane let go of her resolve and begin to accept that she may die at

Whitcross. At the last possible moment, she is saved by St John, Mary, and Diana Rivers. With

their help, Jane regains her physical strength as well as her conviction, though she remains

honest with the reader in that she is still heartbroken about Mr. Rochester. “Oh, yes, he would
have loved well for a while. He did love me – no one will ever love me so again. I shall never

more know the sweet homage given to beauty, youth, and grace – for never to any one else shall

I seem to possess these charms. He was fond and proud of me – it is what no man besides will

ever be.” (Bronte 318) Nevertheless, Jane thrives in Whitcross and it isn’t long until her

principles are tested once again, when St John asks her to join him as a missionary in India under

one condition: they go as husband and wife. Jane has developed a brotherly love towards St John

(realizing later that he is her cousin) and agrees to go as brother as sister.

‘He asks me to be his wife, and has no more of a husband’s heart for me than that

frowning giant of a rock…He prizes me as a soldier would a god weapon, and that is all.

Unmarried to him, this would never grieve me…Can I receive from him the bridal ring,

endure all the forms of love (which I doubt he would scrupulously observe) and know

that the spirit was quite absent? Can I bear the consciousness that every endearment he

bestows is a sacrifice made on principle? No: such a martyrdom would be monstrous. I

will never undergo it. As his sister, I might accompany him – not as his wife: I will tell

him so.’ (Bronte 358)

The reader can easily follow her line of thought and almost tangibly see her beliefs strengthening

as she considers the offer put before her. Jane holds firm onto these beliefs even as St John tries

to convince her that this is her calling from God, using this to guilt her for being selfish and not

marrying him. She knows that she can still serve God while also prioritizing her own well-being;

she is not afraid to demand true romantic love from a marriage. It appears her strength is

rewarded when she hears Mr. Rochester’s voice calling to her, ultimately leading her to him at

Ferndean Manor, where he lives widowed, blind, and seriously injured from a destructive fire at

Thornfield Hall. In this bittersweet series of events, Jane realizes that under her principles, she
can finally marry Mr. Rochester. What’s more, Jane’s large inheritance means that she and Mr.

Rochester can wed as social equals, instead of master and servant. They do so and live a happy

life. The events in this time of crisis in Jane’s life are the culmination of Jane’s development into

an independent, Victorian era feminist. Her marriage to Mr. Rochester supports this claim

because Jane ensures that their relationship is rooted in equality. Jane understands that she is at

this point in her life due to a combination of fortunate events as well as the decisions she has

made for herself in her life.

Jane Eyre tells the story of the personal growth and success of a lower-class orphan into a

wealthy and independent woman. Growth is marked through three distinct periods in her life,

each with their own unique crisis and subsequent times of personal growth and change. Because

of this, Jane’s story remains relevant today. Each reader can relate to her experiences in facing

external challenges, overcoming them, and growing as a person. The commentary in the novel on

religion, social class, and gender relations will always be relevant, thus ensuring this novel will

remain a classic for many more years to come.

References

Bronte, Charlote. Jane Eyre. Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1992. Print.

Davies, Stevie. “Introduction and Notes.” Jane Eyre. Penguin Classics, 2006. Print.

Walker, Anna. “Why Does the World Still Care about Jane Eyre? | Editor’s Choice, Anna

Walker | Reader’s Digest.” Reader’s Digest : n. pag. Print.