Jane's first display of independence is shown while she is living with her aunt and cousins at Gateshead. Although only ten years old, Jane finds the strength to speak boldly and forcefully to her imposing aunt, Mrs. Reed. When her aunt declares to Mr. Brocklehurst that deceit is Jane's worst fault, Jane feels she must take steps to vindicate herself. When Jane and her aunt are alone, Jane speaks her mind: "I am not deceitful; if I were, I should say I love you, but i declare I do not love you: I dislike you the worst of anybody in the world except John Reed; and this book about the liar, you may give to your girl, Georgiana, for it is she who tells lies, and not I." Given Jane's situation of dependency, speaking up to her aunt is no simple task. Most children would not have the courage to speak so forthrightly to an adult. Jane draws on her own strong sense of right and wrong to defend herself.
The next example of Jane's take-charge attitude occurs while she is a teacher at Lowood. This time, though, she is not forced to defend her character. Here her independent spirit rebels not against injustice, but against the stagnation of her life. After residing at Lowood for eight years, six as a student and two as a teacher her friend and mentor, Miss Temple, marries and moves away. Without the inspiration and companionship of her friend, Jane realizes that she longs for variety in life, even if that variety is simply "a new servitude." What does Jane do? Once again she looks inward and finds a solution: "Those who want situations advertise.You must inclose the advertisement and the money to pay for it under a cover directed to the Editor of the Herald;" She does find a new position and with advice or assistance from anyone, Jane leaves Lowood behind and begins a new phase in her life.
So far Jane's exercised her independence either to defend herself or to advance her prospects for a better life.
Feminism in Jane Erye Feminism is a very contradictory theme throughout literary history. ... One such work is Jane Erye. ... Rochester appreciated her independence, St. ... The theme of feminism plays a very significant part in the novel Jane Erye. ... Jane Erye. ...
