at God's feet, equal, - as we are!" Jane's inquiry into the status of sexual equality in Victorian society is first shown in her argument with Rochester. As she tries to establish her individuality, she rebukes the notion that women are nothing more than objects. She refuses to behave in accordance with existing social paradigms of blind obedience and instead of her own free-will. "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you." As Rochester tries to win her back - even when she'd just found out of his marriage - she's saying that she is not a bird which gets trapped in Rochester's cage at his will. She declares that she is an independent human being with choices, liberty and that she's exercising those liberties by leaving. Jane Eyre spends the majority of her life feeling "ensnared," or inferior to others. Starting from when she was a young girl, she was treated terribly, almost as a slave, by her own relatives. She was then sent to boarding school, where Mr. Brocklehurst was horrible to the girls. In this quote, Jane expresses that she wants to be independent, and not always have to rely on others, trust them, and end up in a cage. Jane's portrait as a seeker of equality and independence is painted not only by her ability to match the witty banters of her male counterparts, but also the way she answers challenges to her free-will as a woman. Since the very beginning she refuses to kneel before the ever-present atmosphere of masculine oppression. .
Throughout the novel, Jane's search for true love and friendship often crossed paths with men who were just the opposite. Her unbridled need for freedom in stark contrast with their want for control led to more tears and disappointments than fairy-tale happy endings. In her relationship with Rochester, they constantly argued back and forth. There is a power struggle that is apparent throughout the novel.