Finding One's Place; "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bron
Finding One's Place; "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Often, people must struggle through negative, unpleasant experiences to mature and find where they belong in the world. In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Jane struggles from youth to adulthood to escape confinement, mature, and discover her own person. Each of her experiences at different locations changes her until she finally finds her place in the world.
Jane acquires ideals at Lowood as a result of the pitiless treatment she experiences while she resides there. As Jane travels to Lowood, the thought of escaping Mrs. Reed’s Wrath at first relieves her. However, Lowood turns out to be a continuation of verbal abuse and other hardships from Mr. Brocklehurst and her teachers. Jane learns to be independent to avoid dealing with the people at the school. With encounters of humiliation and Helen’s help as a role model, Jane comes to understand the importance of keeping her feelings to herself and not letting the rebuking remarks upset or discourage her. Helen displays calm manners, letting things go that Jane would normally fight. She explains to Jane, “It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you.” (p. 48) Furthermore, Lowood forces Jane to accept her place in society. Mr. Brocklehurst emphasizes the fact that Jane is only a poor orphan, and his school will help her accept that and not expect to become any better, as he assures Mrs. Reed that Lowood offers “plain fare, simple attire, unsophisticated accommodations, hardy and active habits.” (p. 28)
When Jane moves to Thornfield, she gains more mature mannerisms and discovers new emotions that shape her personality. She combines the composure and manners she achieves at Lowood and her outspoken nature to remain calm and modestly defend herself when Rochester or anyone else criticizes her. Jane experiences jealousy for the first time when Rochester leads her to believe that he will marry Blanche Ingram. While with Rochester, Jane finds love; another feeling with which she has no past experience, having little exposure to the male sex. Jane also displays the ability to be strong in sticking to her principles. Upon realizing that she would be Rochester’s mistress...