In 1847, Charlotte Brontë introduced a story called Jane Eyre under the surname of Currer Bell. This story, subtitled “An Autobiography,” was not just introduced to England, but to the world (Markley). It’s words reached out to the women of the time, and even women of today, as arguably one of the first feminist novels, beautifully mimicking the life of Brontë.
Throughout this novel, a woman by the name of Jane Eyre, searched for love. She was looking, not just for the love of a man, but for the love of a family. At the same, she was on a quest for total independence. Through the course of the story, it is apparent that Jane either has love or independence, rarely both at the same time. This independence, or autonomy, could not be sacrificed for love. It is very clear, through out the story that, though she may have been looking for love, she would not trade it in for her independence.
Her journey for love began as a child. This love-quest broadened as she grew older. It became obvious that love was not the only thing she had to assert for herself. She also had to establish an independence. She needed a mutual love, not a
Jane Eyre established her need for love, but also expressed her independence during her outrage to Mrs. Reed, in which she said “...You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so, and you have no pity” (Brontë pg.30). Jane was forced to be independent since she was a child. If she had not been, she would have been ripped apart by her young life of solitude and lack of love. The independence that Jane had was not just a sign of who she was, but it was also a friend. Her strength from independence was there for her when she was locked in the Red Room by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. In her aunt’s care, or lack there-of, at Gateshead, Jane found only one on the estate who she had an affectionate attachment to and that was Bessie, one of the maids.
Jane was sent away from Gateshead and began her quest to find love and kindness. She found her love and acceptance with Ms. Helen Burns at Lowood Academy, an orphanage. It was at this time that Jane expressed her strong need for love by telling Helen, “... To gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest-” (Brontë pg. 59). Helen Burns stood by Jane and guided her softly through the hard times. However, Helen died not long after they became friends. Another person at Lowood that took affection for Jane was Ms. Temple, the school’s superintendent. Jane was able to find a small amount of love during her overall stay there, but not enough to keep her happy. She had no independence within the orphanage. She did, however, gain the skills of a teacher, which would help her on her way to becoming self-sufficient After 6 years of education and 2 years of teaching, she left the orphanage.
At Thornfield, Jane was able to find a job as a governess to a beautiful, young French girl, Adèle. Jane grew fond of Ms. Adèle quickly. In the home of Mr. Rochester, she soon found love. Her growing interest in the man were not from physical attributes, but more from an intellectual aspect; they were equals. After a few hardships, Mr. Rochester asked to Jane to marry him.
“Soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? Or who will be injured by what you do? I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” (Brontë pg. 270). This is a quote from Jane after she found out about Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester’s wife. It expresses the battle she continually fights within herself over love and independence. Here, she is torn between the two. Ultimately, she chose her autonomy.
The proposed marriage to Mr. Rochester threatened Jane’s independence and autonomy. It would have been a joining of intellectual equals but also a joining of social unequals (Wayne). Not only that, but she did not want to jeopardize her integrity and become a mistress to a man with a wife. He did not see her as an individual person, but more so as a tool or instrument of his pleasure and escape (Phillips). It was during this time that she displayed strong moral conviction in choosing autonomy over love. So Jane left Thornfield with her dignity intact, portraying a strong woman.
