Governess And Women's Role Of Governess By Jane Eyre

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Jane is unable to escape her submissive mindset because of her position as a governess, which shapes her perception of herself and her position in society. In Victorian society, women were expected to be dependent on either a wealthy husband or a male employer. Jane finds satisfaction in her vocation as a governess, although she recognizes the dependent lifestyle that accompanies her position. Provided a wider range of labor opportunities, women serving as governesses could harness their multitude of talents and thrive in self-sufficiency, but were expected to refrain from doing so. On the other hand, women who marry for monetary security, while still deferential to their husbands, are provided positions of authority that enable them to harass …show more content…

Rochester sets himself apart by refusing to demean Jane based on her position alone. His refreshing perspective encourages Jane to distinguish different types of servitude as either active or passive based on the varying amount of pleasure she derives from each task; she perceives her teaching role at Lowood and her childhood with the Reeds as passive, but aiding Rochester outside of the contractual bonds of a governess as active (d’Albertis 268). The differentiation Jane establishes between aspects of her duty makes her even more dependent because she is now emotionally as well as physically dependent on Rochester; even Jane’s disposition becomes dependent on Rochester’s treatment of her, and his emotional fluctuations reinforce her insecurities (Owsley 59). Nevertheless, Jane is unable to pursue her affections because of the constraints of class structure that forbid romantic relationships between an employer and …show more content…

The affection between them increases as a consequence of the role reversals, as Rochester’s impairments redirect his focus from pointless male posturing to the cultivation of their emotional connection (Lyndon 25). Likewise, Jane, free from the burden of poverty, is able to express a wider range of emotions than when she first knew Rochester. Jane’s morals no longer conflict with her love for Rochester because his revelations have inspired him to place greater value on the opinions of others, so he respects both Jane’s individuality and the principles she advocates, thereby allowing her to surrender her heart to him

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