Dr. Seuss once wisely said, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Characters throughout literature have been known to possess this ability to be oneself. Jane, the protagonist of Charlotte Brontё’s Jane Eyre, is an independent, strong woman, which is especially notable given the Victorian era which the novel takes place in. Throughout her journey in both adolescence and young adulthood, Jane remains true to herself and her own ideals. She is not afraid to stand up to others, even her own family. Jane is not afraid to stand out amongst her peers in her personal beliefs, and she is not afraid to take charge of her own life. Jane Eyre establishes her independence throughout
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Jane does not have a very strong relationship with any of them, but this is especially apparent with her cousin John, and her Aunt, Mrs. Reed. John is Jane’s childhood tormentor. He bullies her physically and mentally. One day Jane has had enough, and speaks up, saying “‘Wicked and cruel boy!’...‘You are like a murderer - you are like a slave-driver - you are like the Roman emperors!’” (Brontё, 6). When put into a difficult situation Jane is able to stand up for herself, demonstrating the ability to be independent. Consequently, Jane is locked up in a room, and becomes ill. She is visited by a doctor who thinks that it would be wise for Jane to attend school, and manages to convince Mrs. Reed of this as well. Mrs. Reed, in time, contacts the Lowood Institution. A man named Mr. Brocklehurst comes to visit, and in an effort to bad-mouth Jane, Mrs. Reed calls her a deceitful child. After Brocklehurst leaves, Jane informs Mrs. Reed that she is not disingenuous. She says “‘I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you” (Brontё, 35). Once again, Jane demonstrates that she is not afraid of speaking her mind. Instead of thinking that she doesn’t love Mrs. Reed, and that she is not misleading, Jane has the courage to say what she thinks to Mrs. Reed directly. Even as a young child, Jane shows that she is an independent person, who is not
Jane does not have a very strong relationship with any of them, but this is especially apparent with her cousin John, and her Aunt, Mrs. Reed. John is Jane’s childhood tormentor. He bullies her physically and mentally. One day Jane has had enough, and speaks up, saying “‘Wicked and cruel boy!’...‘You are like a murderer - you are like a slave-driver - you are like the Roman emperors!’” (Brontё, 6). When put into a difficult situation Jane is able to stand up for herself, demonstrating the ability to be independent. Consequently, Jane is locked up in a room, and becomes ill. She is visited by a doctor who thinks that it would be wise for Jane to attend school, and manages to convince Mrs. Reed of this as well. Mrs. Reed, in time, contacts the Lowood Institution. A man named Mr. Brocklehurst comes to visit, and in an effort to bad-mouth Jane, Mrs. Reed calls her a deceitful child. After Brocklehurst leaves, Jane informs Mrs. Reed that she is not disingenuous. She says “‘I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you; but I declare I do not love you” (Brontё, 35). Once again, Jane demonstrates that she is not afraid of speaking her mind. Instead of thinking that she doesn’t love Mrs. Reed, and that she is not misleading, Jane has the courage to say what she thinks to Mrs. Reed directly. Even as a young child, Jane shows that she is an independent person, who is not