Jane Eyre

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Jane Eyre Theme Essay (rough draft)

Independence, the capacity to manage ones own affairs, make one’s own judgments, and provide for one’s self. Jane Eyre herself is a very independent woman. Throughout her life she has depended on very few people for very little. Charlotte Brontë wants the reader to learn that independence can open many doors of possibilities.

Jane in her younger years was practically shunned by everyone and was shown very little love and compassion, from this throughout her life she searches for these qualities through those around her. Due to Jane’s mother’s disinheritance she was disowned by Mrs. Reed and her children, and was treated like a servant consistently reminded that she lacked position and wealth.

“I do this real moron thing, it is called thinking, and I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions.” This was said by George Carlin, which really applies to Jane Eyre’s situation, whose opinions are not considered or even heard of. There was always some form of resistance against Jane whenever she tried to stand up for herself or her needs, and when she did she was put back into her place as being one of a troublemaker.

Throughout Jane Eyre, Jane manages to achieve success over the male power, which seems to be her largest accomplishment. Jane overcame those who caused her much bane. Jane had to overcome many obstacles of male power; one was of when she lived at Gateshead and was tormented by Jon Reed. John constantly wreaked so much havoc and turmoil on Jane. He constantly told her she was destined to fail in life, which in the end it ended up being the other way around. In due time John Reed dies, leaving Jane exceeding him in life which no one thought would t...

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...m my own mistress.” (pg. 416) In stating this, Jane Eyre recognizes her independence and embraces in it. She started out with little and was mistreated but then she ended up becoming rich, embracing her inner beauty, and being loved by many. She accomplished this by becoming independent; in doing this she opened many doors of opportunities for herself.

It is important for Charlotte Brontë to leave the reader with such a lesson because she wants to show the reader that everyone can look at Jane Eyre as a role model for being and becoming independent. With this she shows that in order to become independent you must believe in yourself and not let others bring you down and withhold you from achieving your aspiration. In letting others withhold you or keep you back from accomplishing great things you give them vast pride in being a roadblock in your life.

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