Published
in 1847, Jane Eyre by Charlotte
Brontë stoked the flames of feminism in an age of female repression. Disgusted
by the distinct gender roles espoused by Victorian England, Brontë sought to
create a female character that largely transcended the Victorian ideals of
women. Fierce, independent, and multi-faceted, Jane Eyre was the protagonist
eventually born of this vision.
Jane
Eyre chronicles Jane’s struggle to gain autonomy in a society that
disenfranchises women. Brontë’s feminist agenda is most apparent when Jane
returns to Rochester at the end of the novel. Jane learns that Thornfield Hall
was burned down and Rochester was blinded and crippled the process. Finding him
at Ferndean nearby, Jane vows to Rochester that she will never leave him again.
Jane’s newfound relationship with
Rochester is unique because he depends on her for help. Considering the man
typically supported the woman in Victorian culture, Jane subverts gender roles
by taking care of Rochester. As Jane remarks, “No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely
bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh” (Brontë 457). Brontë therefore blinds and cripples Rochester
to set him on equal footing with Jane, which confirms Brontë’s intent to illustrate
a non-traditional woman.
Brontë’s choice to cripple Rochester is a good one, because his disabilities mitigate the commonplace male/female dynamic that the couple would have experienced otherwise. If the goal of the novel was to advance the notion of female power, then Brontë’s decision was a sound one.
Brontë’s choice to cripple Rochester is a good one, because his disabilities mitigate the commonplace male/female dynamic that the couple would have experienced otherwise. If the goal of the novel was to advance the notion of female power, then Brontë’s decision was a sound one.
Works Cited
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Hazleton: Electronic Classics Series, 2003. Penn State University. Web. 20 February 2015.
