Jane Eyre, the protagonist of Charlotte Bronte's eponymous novel, is a complex and nuanced character whose actions and beliefs are shaped by her strict moral code. Throughout the course of the novel, Jane grapples with difficult moral dilemmas and ultimately emerges as a heroic and compassionate figure who stands up for her beliefs and fights for what she knows is right, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular.
One of the most prominent themes in Jane Eyre is the idea of morality and the role it plays in shaping the lives of the characters. From an early age, Jane is taught to adhere to a strict moral code, and she consistently strives to do what is right, even when faced with difficult choices. For example, when she is offered the opportunity to become a governess at Thornfield, she initially resists, knowing that it is not the kind of life she wants for herself. However, after much contemplation and self-reflection, Jane decides to accept the position, knowing that it is the right thing to do and that it will allow her to provide for herself and be independent.
Throughout the novel, Jane's strong sense of morality is tested by the actions and beliefs of those around her. For example, she is deeply disturbed by the injustice and cruelty she witnesses at Lowood School, where the students are mistreated and denied proper education and care. Despite her own suffering and mistreatment at the school, Jane remains steadfast in her commitment to justice and equality, and she ultimately works to expose the wrongdoing and improve the lives of the students there.
In addition to standing up for what she believes is right, Jane also displays a deep sense of compassion and empathy towards others. For instance, when she discovers that her employer, Mr. Rochester, is hiding a dark secret involving his wife, Bertha Mason, she is torn between her feelings for him and her sense of morality. Despite her own feelings, Jane ultimately decides to leave Mr. Rochester, knowing that it is the right thing to do and that staying with him would be immoral.
Ultimately, Jane Eyre's strong sense of morality and compassion serves as a guiding force in her life and enables her to make difficult but ultimately right decisions, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular. Her journey is a testament to the power of individual conscience and the importance of standing up for what one believes is right, even in the face of adversity.
Morality In Jane Eyre
SEL: Studies in English Literature 1500—1900. However, their position was considerably lower than the standards of the highest members of society. All good people are part of a family, a Christian family and women are to serve men as they stand unequal to them. This kind of literature could have inspired the suffragettes of England in 1903, as they fought for their right to vote and have an equal say as men did. He is the brother of Rochester's first wife, the woman in the attic, and still cares for his sister's well-being. She is silent when it appears that Rochester has another wife-to-be and works hard at her job of teaching a child named Adele. One theme that is focused upon throughout the novel is that of religion.
Yes, critics hired to abuse or panegyrize, at so much per line, have felt a throb of human feeling pervade their veins, at the perusal of Jane Eyre. For instance, without Blanche, who is a foil of Jane, one may have thought Jane a simple and plain governess and nothing more. It drives her even to the point of considering joining him in India to become his wife in a loveless marriage. So, Jane Eyre is overall a moral young woman, whose efforts to act with integrity win her love and family. At the time, the novel presented themes that were taboo or very uncommon in that era. At Gateshead, as a child, Jane was abused, both emotionally and physically.
Moral Messages in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Free Essay Example 1351 words
The room has a Gothic spookiness about it. This allows the audience to feel connected with Jane because most people have gone through times in their life where they have felt similar emotions to that of Jane. Emotional and Moral Development in Jane Eyre Throughout the course of her life, Charlotte Bronte's character Jane in Jane Eyre is forced to confront herself as she struggles to balance her desire for self-sufficiency with her desire for emotional honesty. She is unkind to Jane and tells Jane she has less right to be at Gateshead than a servant does. Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? He sounds almost hedonistic when he says that he has the right to take pleasure out of life, since he is denied happiness because of his hardhips and trials.
The story plays out during the Victorian period in Britain where the social norms were strict and there was a big gap of equality between the genders. Brocklehurst talks badly about Jane in front of the entire school, she is devastated and feels that all of her scholarly efforts have been for naught, if no one likes her. Jane is an orphan who grows up under the care of her Aunt Reed and lives with her cousins, all of whom treat her as an inferior and blame her for the household problems. He retorts by accusing her of having a heart of stone, metaphorically speaking, and commands that she pray to God to replace it with a heart of flesh. The right to read books, develop artistic and literary pursuits, and to be treated as an equal to men, were principles that Jane stood her ground on throughout the novel. The story starts when Jane Eyre is ten years old. Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.
Ethics + Morality in 'Jane Eyre' (English Literature AS) Flashcards
Soon afterward, Mrs Reed dies, and Jane helps her cousins after the funeral before returning to Thornfield. Rochester does not believe in repenting his sins. This common thread between Jane and the audience allowed Bronte to better explain the internal struggles of Jane Eyre. Bronte, being a feminist alike to the title character Jane, writes the novel in a style that would empower women to possible do things as Jane does in her story. Temple and her friend Helen Burns. Accessed 3 March 2021. As is normal with the class system, the people at the low end of the class tend to suffer the most, and Jane finds herself in this position — having lost her parents at a tender age and left to stay with her mean aunt who, despite her affluent status, is unable to lift Jane the social ladder instead causes more troubles for her by horribly treating her.
She creates many awkward and unrealistic actions in the story that consequently make her, as a whole, an unrealistic character. During a class session, her new friend is criticised for her poor stance and dirty nails, and receives a lashing as a result. Retrieved 16 December 2011. Jane Eyre finds strength, confidence, and her morality along her path in the novel. Jane is at first skeptical of his sincerity, before accepting his proposal. As her time at Gateshead continued, she grew in her moral stability.
Psyche and morals both are products of the mind. John, a devout, spiritual man, and Jane. No ill-usage so brands its record on my feelings. While he and his family permit themselves to live extravagantly, the poor orphaned girls of Lowood must live plain lives. He informs her of Mrs Reed's wish to see Jane before she dies.
. This advice emphasized that she was expected to always remain subjected to being in the service of the upper class and should be grateful that they gave her the privilege to live in their midst. Retrieved 6 September 2011. I cannot do it. The two younger of the trio fine girls of sixteen and seventeen had grey beaver hats, then in fashion, shaded with ostrich plumes, and from under the brim of this graceful head-dress fell a profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled; the elder lady was enveloped in a costly velvet shawl, trimmed with ermine, and she wore a false front of French curls. This is an amplified version of what Jane intends to achieve during the novel, her life is based around this immorality of feeling worthless and the various obstacles such as beatings that appear in her life, and yet she still remains her outspoken self and wanting the equality she is always shown as desiring.
It is important that once one finds them, one upholds his or her commitment to them, as a guide throughout life. The very moral Jane warns him that such pleasure will metaphorically sting and taste bitter. For in the end, the trials and hardships she underwent allowed her to become a person, who was neither completely controlled by her beliefs or her religion. It is later explained in the story, that society women, like Mrs. But, then, a voice within me averred that I could do it and foretold that I should do it. This is extraordinary—almost preternatural—smacking strongly of the miraculous—and yet it is true.
