A Feminist Reading of Jane Eyre: Social Commentary and Empowerment

This essay provides a feminist analysis of Charlotte Bronte's novel, *Jane Eyre*, examining the protagonist's journey and the social context of Victorian England. The analysis focuses on the novel's portrayal of gender roles, the mistreatment of governesses, and the struggle for women's rights and self-identity. The essay argues that *Jane Eyre* embodies feminist inclinations by addressing inequalities between men and women, particularly through Jane's experiences and her quest for independence. It explores how the novel critiques societal norms, especially regarding class divisions and the limited opportunities available to women. The essay also discusses the use of folk traditions and the depiction of women as 'the other' to highlight the challenges faced by women in the Georgian era. Ultimately, the essay concludes that *Jane Eyre* serves as a powerful social commentary and a call for women's empowerment, making it a significant work in feminist literature.

Running head: JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
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Author Note

1JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
The essay is focused towards analyzing the novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Bronte
and first published in 1847. The specific focus of the analysis is towards understanding the novel
from a feminist point of view. Subsequently, the implications of feminism concerning the actual
themes that form essential parts of the novel are discussed. The story of Jane Eyre traces the
journey of title character. The story is presented in a narrative form of first-person. In the
beginning of the novel, Jane is an orphaned little girl living with her late maternal uncle’s family
where she is disliked and mistreated. Later she is sent to a school named Lowood where she
faces further troubles and sufferings along with her schoolmates. The story takes a different turn
when she finally leaves Lowood and becomes a governess. She meets Mr. Rochester with whom
she falls in love. The later part of the story is not very pleasant and Jane has to leave the house of
Mr. Rohester and has to again endure harsh condition before finally settling as a teacher. In the
end she does marry Mr. Rochester but at a time when he had lost one of his hand and his
eyesight due to a fire accident. The novel does revolve around the character of Jane Eyre and her
life’s experiences but is has several historical and social undertones. It discusses the various
social issues of the times from the perspective of a woman. The essay focuses on findings
whether the novel puts forward an argument for the social empowerment of governesses and
women in general and has a distinct feministic point of view.
According to Richard Chase, Jane Eyre obviously has feminist inclinations and put
forward the case of the mistreatment of governess and the inequalities between the right of man
and women on the 18th and 19th centuries. The close examination of the story reveals that the
story symbolizes the historic struggles of women. The story traces the journey of a woman who
was not from the privileged class and suffered greatly since her childhood1. The ways in which
1 Brontë, Charlotte. "jane eyre." Medicine and Literature, Volume Two. CRC Press, 2018. 53-72.

2JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
Jane confronts the events that occur in her life especially towards the later part of the story point
to the fact the she embodies a typical strong woman. This combined with the social issues that
are depicted in the novel can well prove that the novel is about how the social problems that
women faced at the time had to be confronted with mental strength and vigor. There are various
elements that point to the fact that the story has definite feministic undertones that were in line
with the demands of the women of the time. Yinghuei Chen comments that evidences in the text
of the novel are enough for it to be considered a feministic novel2. However, she comments that
feminism is not the major factor that guides the novel. Jane’s conditions and her desires to grow
and settle in life is a bigger theme that is displayed in the novel. Sophie Ward in her article
examines the gender discrimination that persisted in the Victorian society of the time. The writer
says more about the role of the female educators of the time according to her3. The female
educators such as governesses have endured low recognition for a long time. The profession of a
governess was thus never given its due importance. Unfortunately, this remained a reality even
more than a century after the novel was written. Governesses at the times were treated slightly
better than the household maids. They were nonetheless considered to be equal to servants4.
There is a significant portrayal of the same in the story of Jane Eyre. Hence, the plight of the
governesses has been essentially portrayed through the work.
The novel explores various aspects connected with the life of the main characters that
depict traces of feminist aspects. It cannot be denied that from the beginning the novel puts
forward the mistreatment that women used to endure since their childhood. It is made clear that
2 Chen, Yinghuei. "Is There a Feminist Text in Jane Eyre?—A Reappraisal." Journal of Literature and Art
Studies9.1 (2019): 25-34.
3 Ward, Sophie. "In Search of Progress: Female Academics after Jane Eyre." Other education. (2018).
4 Wagner, Tamara S. "Jane Eyre, Orphan Governess: Narrating Victorian Vulnerability and Social Change." British
Women's Writing from Brontë to Bloomsbury, Volume 1. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 81-95.

3JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
the position of women in society were not equal to that of men. Along with the same women
from middle class or lower class families faced more troubles in life than their wealthy
counterparts. The actual setting of the story is in the Georgian era of English history. At that time
the role of a governess was not much celebrated5. The lives of governesses in this period in
common with the lives of governesses in the Victorian era was a life of isolation6. The
governesses came from better financial or educational backgrounds than the rest of the servants.
The position of a governess was many times looked down upon. This was largely due to the fact
that women without sufficient financial backing often took up roles of governesses. The
mistreatment of governesses is quite evident in the novel Jane Eyre. When Jane first meets with
Mr. Rochester, he accuses her of bewitching the horse in order to make him fall. He refers to an
incident earlier where Jane saved him after he fell down from his horse. The statement was made
by Mr. Rochester to point to the fact that she wanted to lure him towards a relationship with her.
What he tried to mean was that this relationship could transpire into a marriage and provide her
with a financially sustainable future. This was the view that the society of the time often had
against young governesses7. The governesses were in general of insufficient finances, which
meant that the only work they could do was looking after the children of wealthy families8. Their
lives became simply confined to the large residencies of the upper classes of the English society.
The novel can thus be said to put forward the various issues that affected the lives of women at
the time with specific focus on governesses.
5 Wilson, Amy. "Folklore and Identity in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights." (2017).
6 Wagner, Tamara S. "Jane Eyre, Orphan Governess: Narrating Victorian Vulnerability and Social Change." British
Women's Writing from Brontë to Bloomsbury, Volume 1. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 81-95.
7 Gilbert, Nora. "A Servitude of One’s Own: Isolation, Authorship, and the Nineteenth-Century British
Governess." Nineteen Cent Lit 69.4 (2015): 455-480.
8

4JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
Along with putting forward the argument in favor of the governesses, Charlotte Bronte in
her novel also speaks for the equal rights of men and women. At the time equal rights were not at
all prevalent and it took a long time after the novel was composed for the society to actually take
steps towards establishing equal rights. The idea of equal rights is put forward through the
exploration of a woman’s self-identity in the novel. The book has also been said to be against the
Christian learnings that were implemented at the time under strict schools run under religious
men. The conditions of the school where Jane used to study and the strict rules that were
implemented on the girls fostered a need for searching her self-identity of a woman. This was
definitely a part of the novel that portrayed the treatment of girls as inferior beings in society
starting from the early years of schooling. This puts forward a strong argument in favor of the
novel having definite feminist undertones and speaking in favor of equal rights for women. It can
be seen that although the novel never directly solicits for the rights of women in the society, it
does do so indirectly. Throughout the novel the misfortunes of Jane actually portray the unfair
conditions that women were subjected to in the society of the time9. In a way this is a protest in
favor of equal rights for women and the improvement of social conditions that affected the
womenfolk of the time. The Bronte sisters often alluded to the folk traditions of the society. This
helped to further bring forward the problems of women in the society.
The depiction and usage of folk tradition in the writings of both the Bronte sisters are
evident through their works. These depictions help to bring out the actual factors that tend to
negatively affect the lives of the women of the time. According to some experts folk culture
often underscores notions about identity and class. In the novel Jane for a long time remains
unaware of her position in society10. She is unaware of her economic or social status in the
9 Bodenheimer, Rosemarie. "Jane Eyre in search of her story." Papers on Language and Literature 16.4 (1980): 387.
10 Lewis, Teagan. "Jane Eyre: The Bridge Between Christianity and Folklore." (2018).

5JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
society of the Georgian era. This to some extent depicts the plight of a woman who was not from
the upwardly social classes. The English society had for a long time been gripped with class
distinctions. The women of the society were some of the worst affected people as a result of the
same. In the story a significant aspect is the depiction of women that were considered to be the
other. These were the women who were disregarded for not belonging to the fashionable
society11. Jane is many times referred to as a fairy or and elf. This goes with her identity of being
an orphan and a governess. Jane however, never backs down from trying to find her true identity
and her sense of identity is strong. In a way folks beliefs are used to project the condition of
women that had no distinct identity in society and were greatly neglected. According to Cowan
the ideal of femininity that was prevalent at the time often significantly demarcated the
boundaries of social inequalities between men and women. The women of the time were
idealized as the Angels of the house. They were supposed to only concern themselves with
household duties including being an ideal mother and a devoted and submissive wife. The story
of the novel depicts these factors much essentially to directly point towards the position of
women in society of the time.
It could well be said that the time was filled with social divisions that affected the entire
lives of the people that were associated with these divisions. The divisions not only encompassed
the genders but economic positions of people. A large part of the wealth of the country was only
concentrated in the hands of the wealthy classes while people from the lower strata of the society
had to maintain their livelihood in bare or minimum wage. In this context the portrayal of the
governess becomes very relevant. The governess in a way becomes the bridge between the lower
strata of the society and the upper classes. In the novel Charlotte Bronte makes a definite attempt
11 Heilmann, Ann, and Mark Llewellyn. "The Victorians, Sex, and Gender." The Oxford Handbook of Victorian
Literary Culture(2016): 161-77

6JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
to portray the governesses as women that deserved to be respected and treated better. The social
betterment of governesses becomes an important factor that guides the flow of the novel towards
the later parts. Jane as a governess develops an essential relationship with Adele and Mr.
Rochester. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester almost transpire into their marriage
but falls short due to the legal issues concerning the previous marriage of Mr. Rochester12. It is
shown in the novel that a governess can help to build strong relationships within a household.
This contributes more towards the understanding of the roles of the governesses as well as their
plight in the then society. In the society of the late Georgian and the Victorian ages governesses
were perceived as a threat to society and emotions. In some households the governesses often
made the members think about how their own lives could take a turn for the worse and they can
themselves have to endure the fate of the governess13. In a way governesses were either looked
down upon or were pitied or were considered unfortunate people of the society. The story of
Jane Eyre especially focused on the lives of governesses. It can be said that the writer herself
enduring much of the issues that affected the women of the era understood the problems quite
easily. These were always presented through the novel. In essence another feministic aspect is
seen at the ending of the story when Jane returns to the then physically disabled Mr. Rochester.
This is considered by many as a form of castration where the significant male character develops
a disability that strips him off all his former glory. Jane Eyre at the time was very critically
received by the reviewers. Some reviewers called the novel anti-Christian and attacking the
doctrines of religion. Many of the critics also accused the novel to instigate social tensions like
the Chartism movement of the working class that was taking place at the time14. Hence, it can
12 Eyre, Jane. Charlotte Brontë. Jane Eyre, 2016.
13 Shin, Joy. "Dr Nelson Honors Research/Writing 30 May 2017 Reflection on Feminism and Christianity in Jane
Eyre." (2017).
14 Taylor, Marie-Anne Francoise. "The Function of Religion in Jane Eyre from a Feminist Viewpoint." (2015).

7JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
also be said that the novel attracted quite the ire of the authorities due to its strongly feministic
attitude towards the society of the time. In essence the work of Charlotte Bronte showcases the
plight of the especially the English women at those days and age15. The various opinions about
the castrated position of Mr. Rochester actually point towards the fate of the upper classes of the
society of England. It in a way proposes that fate can befall on the upper classes or the
patriarchic setup of the society at any time. In these times the women will need to come forward
to take care of the society which has lost its structural effectiveness. At the end of the novel it is
also shown that the governess completes her duty by marrying the man who has become hideous.
In essence, the story portrays a woman’s search for identity, happiness, love and a secured life16.
It goes on to portray the fate that befalls both the strong male characters and Jane herself. In
perspective the feministic point of view of the novel cannot be ignored. The novel speaks in
behalf of the governesses and the rights of equality for women. This is done keeping into context
the patriarchal society, religion and the existing classes of the period.
In conclusion, it can be said that the story of Jane Eyre reflects the views of the thinking
woman at a time that was very difficult for women’s empowerment. The only issue is that
feminism considering the fair treatment of governesses and the equal rights of women remains
much an underlying theme of the novel. Jane journey and troubles become the more highlighted
aspects of the novel. However, the fact that the novel at its time was able to create a certain
amount of controversy does point to the fact that it was definitely rebellious in nature. It was
seen in the beginning that the title character is viewed as the other in her maternal uncle’s family.
She moves on to be punished even for very minor issues at school. Even suffers a major
15 Pearson, Sara L. "Critical Insights: Jane Eyre." (2017): 158-161.
16 Al-Haj, Ali Albashir Mohammed. "The Depiction of True and Pure Love in Charlotte Bronte's Jane
Eyre." English Language and Literature Studies 5.1 (2015): 97.

8JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
breakdown when her only good friend dies of tuberculosis at childhood. She moves on to
become a governess who is looked down upon and even meets fate after changing her job.
However, she regains herself and establishes herself despite enduring problem even at this stage.
She returns to her love and marries him despite his condition. In the end it can be seen that the
novel remains a good example of the perspective of the world of the time from the point of view
of a woman. Thus, it can well be said that although not entirely, the novel definitely has a
feministic approach towards analyzing the problems of the time.

9JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
Bibliography
Al-Haj, Ali Albashir Mohammed. "The Depiction of True and Pure Love in Charlotte Bronte's
Jane Eyre." English Language and Literature Studies 5.1 (2015): 97.
Bodenheimer, Rosemarie. "Jane Eyre in search of her story." Papers on Language and
Literature 16.4 (1980): 387.
Brontë, Charlotte. "jane eyre." Medicine and Literature, Volume Two. CRC Press, 2018. 53-72.
Chen, Yinghuei. "Is There a Feminist Text in Jane Eyre?—A Reappraisal." Journal of Literature
and Art Studies9.1 (2019): 25-34.
Cowan, Steve. "Domesticicty, Identity and Mental Illness in Jane Eyre and Rebecca from a
feminist perspective." (2017).
Gilbert, Nora. "A Servitude of One’s Own: Isolation, Authorship, and the Nineteenth-Century
British Governess." Nineteen Cent Lit 69.4 (2015): 455-480.
Heilmann, Ann, and Mark Llewellyn. "The Victorians, Sex, and Gender." The Oxford Handbook
of Victorian Literary Culture(2016): 161-77.
Lewis, Teagan. "Jane Eyre: The Bridge Between Christianity and Folklore." (2018).
Pearson, Sara L. "Critical Insights: Jane Eyre." (2017): 158-161.
Reeves, Reagan Lee. The Portrayal of Women in Selected Works of Post-colonial Literature.
Diss. 2019.

10JANE EYRE AS A FEMINIST TRACT
Shin, Joy. "Dr Nelson Honors Research/Writing 30 May 2017 Reflection on Feminism and
Christianity in Jane Eyre." (2017).
Wagner, Tamara S. "Jane Eyre, Orphan Governess: Narrating Victorian Vulnerability and Social
Change." British Women's Writing from Brontë to Bloomsbury, Volume 1. Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham, 2018. 81-95.
Ward, Sophie. "In Search of Progress: Female Academics after Jane Eyre." Other
education. (2018).
Wilson, Amy. "Folklore and Identity in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights." (2017).