Jane Eyre - Her growth
Uploaded by Basschick on Dec 11, 2000
Jane does grow in the book Jane Eyre. The theme of the book is Jane’s continual quest for love. Jane searches for acceptance through the five settings where she lives: Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Moor House and Ferndean. Through these the maturation and self-recognition of Jane becomes traceable. It is not until she runs from Rochester and Thornfield that she realizes what she really wants. Jane is able to return to Rochester finally independent, with a desire to love, as well as be loved.
In the beginning Jane seems a strong character who is very rebellious; In the Victorian times it was considered “deceitful” for a child too speak out. Jane wishes to overcome this. And she does when she says, “I must keep in good health, and not die.” (28). At Gateshead it became obvious Jane is self-willed and has a temper. An example of this is when Jane stands up to her aunt saying, “You think I have know feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness, but I cannot live so: and you have no pity.” (33). Here Jane makes her first declaration of independence. She will no longer be considered a secondary member of the Reed household. Jane wants more than anything at this time to be loved and she feels she will not have it because of al the things Mrs. Reed told Mr. Brocklehurst, and she displays her temper again, “I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you but I declare I do not love you . . .” (32). This fight led to Jane saying she will never call her “Aunt Reed” again. Which will show growth is Jane later. This is why Jane is rebellious.
Jane learns she should not care so much what other people think of her. At Lowood Jane is repulsed by Mr. Brocklehurst and his “two-faced” character. Even so, Jane fines her first true friend. Helen Burns, another student at the school. By instruction, Helen is able to prove her messages. When Jane is punished in front of the whole school, she tries to accept it. But Jane still dreams of human affection and is deeply hurt when she is scolded. Jane goes as far to say, “If others don’t love me, I would rather die than live.” Helen’s response, “You think to much of the love of human beings,”...