Jane Eyre's Treatment Of Women

In this excerpt from Jane Eyre, Jane focuses her feelings toward men and how they are depicted as imprisoning women in the novel. At the beginning of the quote, Jane relates how she cannot help but make it known her position on the way women are treated. The author, Charlotte Brontë, uses Jane as a symbol to show the problems women faced during the 19th century. “Then my sole relief was to walk along the corridor of the third story, backwards and forwards, safe in the silence and solitude of the spot, and allow my mind’s eye to dwell on whatever bright visions rose before it—and, certainly, they were many and glowing; to let my heart be heaved by the exultant movement . . .” (115). This example certifies the point Jane is attempting to make

By doing such, she is representing the millions of women during this time period that are facing the same issues and are in search for total fairness. This, rather, certifies the aspect of women feeling imprisoned during the 19th century. Jane is imprisoned from a society that accepts women in the world. “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. Nobody knows how many rebellions besides political rebellions ferment in the masses of life which people earth” (118). Jane’s words in this example certify how she feels about being confined by men during this time period. When she says, “Millions are condemned to a silver doom than mine…”, she is referencing women, who are the millions in the world that are condemned. This is a strong quote that causes the reader some sense of the struggle all women faced during this time. Jane is stressed over the idea that she will never be thought equal against

John Rivers has asked Jane to join him as his wife on his missionary trip to India. In many ways, the proposal tempts her, as it is an opportunity to perform good works and to be more than a governess, schoolteacher, or housewife. However, she realizes that these jobs are what make her independent from men. This is likely the reason why she denies his request for marriage. Jane’s teaching jobs at Lowood, Thornfield, and Morton have all made her feel trapped, which may be a part of what made her consider his request. Yet, St. John’s principles of ambition and arrogance are not those that Jane upholds in her heart and are, in fact, completely opposite. Misguided religion threatens to oppress Jane throughout the book and is also one of St. John’s traits. These signs are obvious reasons why their relationship would never have been successful. The adversity that perishes Jane is one of her internal conflicts. St. John also embodies masculine dominance, which a major reason for rejection by Jane, as she hates male dominance. This causes Jane to desire to escape in order to remain true to herself, for she realizes that her conventional manner of dealing with oppression cannot constitute a way of life, especially for her. Her feminist ways of life and struggle for equality allows for her rejection of St. John. In her rejection of Rochester, Jane privileged principle over feeling and she is now aware of the negative effects such emotional repression can have.