Jane Eyre

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In every bildungsroman novel, the main character must be able to accept and learn from their past experiences: and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is no exception. As an orphan raised by her abusive Aunt Reed, Jane had many terrifying and psychologically scaring memories that she carried with her as she matured. But, like most everyone else, she had to put the past behind her and move on. Once this is accomplished, Bronte is able to create an independent and self-confident woman who can live life by her rules. As a young child, Jane was always being isolated from the rest of the household. Due to this, she was treated lesser than the servants and was constantly being punished for things she didn't cause. In one instance, she was put in the “red-room” as punishment. Trapped in the same room her uncle died in, Jane's fear that she would never escape, overtook her and she fainted. This scene was obviously very traumatizing for her and it greatly affected how she would react to similar events later in her life. Bronte's use of entrapment throughout this novel is a clear indication the severity it had on Jane. For example, as she grew older, Jane was proposed to by a high status man named Rochester. In Jane's eyes, although she accepted the proposal, she would always owe him something because he is wealthier than she is. In other words, by accepting, Jane was going to have to live under him and be fastened to him as his wife without the independence or freedom that she was seeking. With the knowledge of Jane's upbringing, Bronte uses this event as a defining moment for Jane's characterization. Here it is clear that she still has the same fear of entrapment that she had as a child. Jane wishes she could be free and independ... ... middle of paper ... ... him when she described that every soul is equal. Growing up in the environment she did, Jane learned that equality and independence should be a universal right. As she grows up, Bronte uses these ideas to shape Jane's actions. Jane always has her freedom in her mind whenever she makes a decision, like marrying Rochester for example. Through her resentment over how she was treated as a young girl, Jane learns the very important life lesson that equality should be for all. In every upbringing, you need to decide whether your past will define who you become in a positive or negative way. Bronte used Jane as a tool to prove that anyone, no matter where they come from, can grow up to be who they want to be. After accepting the past and learning from it we can all hope to find the same confidence and self respect that Jane displayed as she grew into a strong woman.

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