THE FEMALE LEAD CHARACTER IN THE VICTORIAN NOVEL I. Jane Eyre Trespassing Social o!

!n"aries ron$+,s ni-el* represen$s a ron$e a# In$ro"!c$ion Firs$ en$i$le" %Jane Eyre& An A!$o'iograp(y)* C(arlo$$e re.erence in $(e nine$een$( cen$!ry li$era$!re* 'eing consi"ere" a /as$erpiece o. $(e Vic$orian perio". Foc!sing on a .e/ale lea" c(arac$er* $(e 0or1 o. C(arlo$$e n!/ero!s !n0ri$$en la0s o. con"!c$* 'e(a-io!r an" e-en o. $(o!g($. T(e no-el pic$!res $(e li.e o. Jane Eyre* an orp(an c(il" 0(o is s$r!ggling $o .in" /eaning in (er li.e* (a-ing $o o-erco/e o's$acles in or"er $o 'eco/e $(e 'es$ person s(e can 'e. eing par$ o. $(e 'il"!ngsro/an genre* $(e /ain c(arac$er is "e-eloping $(ro!g(o!$ $(e 'oo1* (er ac$ions* .eelings an" $(o!g($s co/ing $oge$(er* crea$ing a personali$y 0i$( a co/ple2 perspec$i-e on li.e. T(e (ero o. $(e no-el is a .ree3spiri$e" 0o/an* in searc( o. (er i"en$i$y an" in"epen"ence* 0(ic( is e4!ally a .ai$(.!l* la0 a'i"ing C(ris$ian $(a$ respec$s $(e r!les an" $(e c!s$o/s o. $(e socie$y s(e li-es in. S(e appears $o 'e a -ery (!/'le person* '!$ s(e pro-es $o care also* a'o!$ (er pri"e as a .e/ale an" as an in"i-i"!al. T(e no-el .oc!ses on (er c(il"(oo"* on (er .or/a$ion in a poor e"!ca$ional sys$e/ an" $(e li.e as a go-erness a$ T(orn.iel" Hall. 5T(e go-erness 0as a .a/iliar .ig!re $o /i"3 cen$!ry /i""le class Vic$orians* 6!s$ as s(e is no0 $o rea"ers o. Vic$orian no-els. 789* Jane Eyre ga-e na/es $o $(e psyc(ological $ype o. go-erness., :Regan& ;<=# >i$( $(is no-el* C(arlo$$e ron$e is consi"ere" $o 'e a pre"ecessor o. Virginia >ool. an" (er $ec(ni4!e o. s$rea/ o. conscio!sness. Especially 'eca!se $(e narra$ion is 0ri$$en in $(e .irs$ person* Jane is cons$an$ly e2pressing (er inner con.lic$s 'e$0een reason an" .eeling* no$ only $o (ersel.* '!$ $o $(ose aro!n" (er. S(e is 'eing c(arac$eri?e" as an o!$spo1en person an !nc(arac$eris$ic .ea$!re* no$ only .or a go-erness* '!$ .or a 0o/an in $(a$ perio". ; "epic$s ano$(er si"e o. $(e socie$y o. $(a$ $i/e* a socie$y $(a$ 0as cons$raine" 'y

'# Fro/ @a$es(ea" $o Lo0oo" Jane,s o!$co/e as a person is "!e $o $(e 'e(a-io!r s(e 0as e2pose" $o 0(ile gro0ing !p* $(e assa!l$* $(e cons$an$ p(ysical 5acc!s$o/e" $o Jo(n Ree"As a'!se, : ron$e& B# 3 an" psyc(ological (arass/en$.
5Jo(n (a" no$ /!c( a..ec$ion .or (is /o$(er an" sis$ers* an" an an$ipa$(y $o /e. He '!llie" an" p!nis(e" /eC no$ $0o or $(ree $i/es in $(e 0ee1* nor once or $0ice in $(e "ay* '!$ con$in!ally& e-ery ner-e I (a" .eare" (i/* an" e-ery /orsel o. .les( in /y 'ones s(ran1 0(en (e ca/e near. T(ere 0ere /o/en$s 0(en I 0as 'e0il"ere" 'y $(e $error (e inspire"* 'eca!se I (a" no appeal 0(a$e-er agains$ ei$(er (is /enaces or (is in.lic$ionsC $(e ser-an$s "i" no$ li1e $o o..en" $(eir yo!ng /as$er 'y $a1ing /y par$ agains$ (i/* an" Mrs. Ree" 0as 'lin" an" "ea. on $(e s!'6ec$& s(e ne-er sa0 (i/ s$ri1e or (ear" (i/ a'!se /e* $(o!g( (e "i" 'o$( no0 an" $(en in (er -ery presence* /ore .re4!en$ly* (o0e-er* 'e(in" (er 'ac1.,

Jo(n 0as no$ $(e only one $(a$ a'!se" Jane 0(o (a" no one $o pro$ec$ (er. Also* Mrs. Ree"* 0(o 0as s!ppose" $o $a1e care o. (er as one o. (er o0n c(il"ren. In spi$e o. $(e pro/ise s(e (as /a"e $o (er "ying (!s'an"* s(e 0as cons$an$ly re/in"ing $(e poor* "e.enceless girl $(a$ s(e 0as an i/pe"i/en$ in (er .a/ily* a reason .or (er in"isposi$ion an" $(e s!'6ec$ o. co!n$less 4!arrels. T(ere.ore* Jane 0as a -ic$i/ in a (os$ile en-iron/en$ $(a$ "i"n,$ accep$ (er spea1ing* re'el an" no$ e-en (er sig($. I$ is a'sol!$ely incre"i'le (o0 $(e yo!ng one /anage" $o gro0 an" "e-elop in $(e person s(e $!rne" o!$ $o 'e.
%T(ey "i" no$ lo-e /eC in .ac$* as li$$le "i" I lo-e $(e/. T(ey 0ere no$ 'o!n" $o regar" 0i$( a..ec$ion a $(ing $(a$ co!l" no$ sy/pa$(i?e 0i$( one a/ongs$ $(e/C a (e$erogeneo!s $(ing* oppose" $o $(e/ in $e/pera/en$* in capaci$y* in propensi$iesC a !seless $(ing* incapa'le o. ser-ing $(eir in$eres$* or a""ing $o $(eir pleas!reC a no2io!s $(ing* c(eris(ing $(e ger/s o. in"igna$ion a$ $(eir $rea$/en$* o. con$e/p$ o. $(eir 6!"g/en$. I 1no0 $(a$ (a" I 'een a sang!ine* 'rillian$* careless* e2ac$ing* (an"so/e* ro/ping c(il"33$(o!g( e4!ally "epen"en$ an" .rien"less Mrs. Ree" 0o!l" (a-e en"!re" /y presence /ore co/placen$lyC (er c(il"ren 0o!l" (a-e en$er$aine" .or /e /ore o. $(e cor"iali$y o. .ello03.eelingC $(e ser-an$s 0o!l" (a-e 'een less prone $o /a1e /e $(e scapegoa$ o. $(e n!rsery.) :c(. D#

A0are o. $(e .ac$ $(a$ $(e lo-e rela$ions(ip 'e$0een $(e a!n$ an" $(e niece "i" no e2is$* Jane* s$ill $rie" $o !n"ers$an" $(e con"i$ion s(e 0as p!$$ing e-eryone in $(e (o!se in. S(e /anage" $o !n"ers$an" $(a$ $(ey 0ere no$ ali1eC $(ey (a" no$(ing in co//on e2cep$ .or a "e.!nc$ rela$i-e* 0(ic( 0as $(e only connec$ion poin$. Also* s(e 0as conscio!s $(a$ s(e "i" no$ ser-e $(e/ in any 0ayC $(ey (a" no$(ing $o gain .ro/ (er si"e so* $(ere.ore* s(e (a" no rig($ $o .eel en$i$le" $o any sign o. 1in"ness or lo-e. S(e 0as no$(ing /ore $(an a s$ranger* no$ e-en a ser-an$ $(a$ 0or1e" .or (er place in $(e (o!se. T(is /en$ali$y 0as in"!ce" 'y $(e /e/'ers o. $(e Ree" .a/ily an" $(eir (elp. T(e assa!l$ "i"n,$ s$op a$ 6!s$ -er'al in6!ries or p(ysical ones* '!$ i$ con$in!e" 0i$( $(e $error $(a$ a..ec$e" $(e psyc(ological s$a$e o. /in" o. $(e so3calle" 5in$r!"er,* a$ @a$es(ea". T(e cr!elles$ 0or"s $(a$ co!l" 'e (ear" 'y yo!ng Jane 0ere $(e ones $(a$ con"e/ne" (er $o a /e$(o" o. isola$ion* si/ilar $o $(e one $(a$ con"e/ne" prisoners $(a$ 0e,re /is'e(a-ing soli$ary& FTa1e (er a0ay $o $(e re"3roo/* an" loc1 (er in $(ere.F Fo!r (an"s 0ere i//e"ia$ely lai" !pon /e* an" I 0as 'orne !ps$airs.) :;<=B& G#. Ha-ing no one $o rely on* s(e s$r!ggles $o .ig($ $(e p!nis(/en$ on (er on* 'y opposing 0i$( all o. (er s$reng$(* '!$ in -ain. S(e arri-es $o $(e re" roo/ an" s(e (as $o con.ron$ (er 0ors$ .ear* 'eing in $(e roo/ $(a$ (er !ncle "ie" in.
%Hes* Mrs. Ree"* $o yo! I o0e so/e .ear.!l pangs o. /en$al s!..ering* '!$ I o!g($ $o .orgi-e yo!* .or yo! 1ne0 no$ 0(a$ yo! "i"& 0(ile ren"ing /y (ear$3s$rings* yo! $(o!g($ yo! 0ere only !proo$ing /y 'a" propensi$ies.) :c(. D#

D!e $o (er s$rong 'e(a-ior an" personali$y an" (er 'o!n"less .ai$( in @o",s 0ill* loo1ing 'ac1 $o $(ose "rea".!l "ays* Jane .in"s a 0ay $o .orgi-e an" e-en $o !n"ers$an" (er a!n$,s 0ic1e" 'e(a-ior. Her cons$an$ a$$ac1 .orce" (er in$o (a-ing a 'rea1"o0n* 0(ic( $!rne" o!$ $o 'e a ray o. s!ns(ine* since i$ s$ar$e" a process o. (er lea-ing $(is (o!se o. $error* @a$es(ea". As a c(arac$er s(e re/ains re/ar1a'ly s$a$ic as s(e goes .ro/ one s$age o. (er 6o!rney $o$ (e ne2$. In gro0ing !p $o 0o/an(oo" s(e repea$s $(e sa/e pa$$ern o. 5s!'/ission an" re'elion, in one episo"e a.$er ano$(er* .ro/ @a$es(ea" $o Moor(o!se.

An i/por$an$ .ac$or in (er lea-ing (er 5a"op$i-e (o/e,* is $(e p(ar/acis$* Mr. Loy" $(a$ ca/e $o c(ec1 on (er s$a$e* a.$er s(e collapse" in $(e re" roo/. He in$erroga$es Jane* $o .in" o!$ $(e ca!ses o. (er s!""en 'rea1"o0n. He learns $(a$ s(e is /is$rea$e"* lac1ing (er paren$,s a..ec$ion an" a$$en$ion* lac1ing any 1in" o. (!/an co/passion* .eeling li1e a '!r"en .or (er a!n$.
FI$ is no$ /y (o!se* sirC an" A''o$ says I have less right to be here than a servant .F :c(. D#:/y e/p(asis a""e"#

No$ only is Jane /is$rea$e" 'eca!se o. $(e .ac$ $(a$ s(e is consi"er a '!r"en* '!$ also* s(e is consi"er !gly an" i$ is generally 'elie-e" a$ @a$es(ea" $(a$ (er aspec$ co!l" ne-er a$$rac$ any 1in" o. e/pa$(y. eca!se o. (er loo1s* s(e is /arginali?e"* (er appearance 'eing ano$(er .ac$or $(a$ a$$rac$e" $(e (a$e.!l $rea$/en$ 0(ic( s(e is s!'6ec$e" $o.
FI. s(e 0ere a nice* pre$$y c(il"* one /ig($ co/passiona$e (er .orlornnessC '!$ one really canno$ care .or s!c( a li$$le $oa" as $(a$.F :c(. D#

T(ro!g(o!$ $(e no-el* $(e .e/ale lea" c(arac$er is in a cons$an$ posi$ion o. .ig($ing se-eral a!$(ori$y .ig!res an" $(ey are an i/por$an$ in s(aping $(e a"!l$ Jane* 0i$( (er s$reng$(s an" 0ea1nesses* (er 4!ali$ies an" .la0s. As I presen$e" 'e.ore* Mrs. Ree" is $(e .irs$ a!$(ori$y .ig!re $(a$ Jane (as $o "eal 0i$(* '!$ a.$er (er ner-o!s 'rea1"o0n* (er role is $a1en 'y Mr. roc1el(!rs$. He 0ill $a1e on $(e !n.air $rea$/en$ $(a$ is applie" .re4!en$ly $o Jane. Appearing as a /an o. $(e c(!rc(* 0i$( s$rong C(ris$ian -al!es (e pro-es $o 'e 6!"g/en$al* cr!el an" !n.air. T(eir .irs$ enco!n$er is an i/por$an$ e-en$ in $(e 'oo1. He in$erroga$es Jane regar"ing (er religio!s 1no0le"ge* an" see/s ra$(er o..en"e" 0(en* a.$er as1ing Jane a'o!$ $(e .ai$( o. $(e sinners an" 0(a$ $(ey s(o!l" "o* $o a-oi" e$ernal "a/na$ion* $(e ans0er ca/e .ran1 an" s$raig($.or0ar"* 5I must keep in good health, and not die :c(. =#.

A.$er (er .!$!re 'eing "eci"e"* Jane (a" an o!$'!rs$* (a-ing a .inal 'a$$le 0i$( (er 5'ene.ac$ress,. Her .ree spiri$ e/erge" .ro/ $(e "ep$(s o. (er 'eing an" /anage" $o e2press e2ac$ly $(e .eelings s(e (a" $o0ar"s Mrs. Ree".
57...9s(all re/e/'er (o0 yo! $(r!s$ /e 'ac133ro!g(ly an" -iolen$ly $(r!s$ /e 'ac133in$o $(e re"3 roo/* an" loc1e" /e !p $(ere* $o /y "ying "ayC $(o!g( I 0as in agonyC $(o!g( I crie" o!$* 0(ile s!..oca$ing 0i$( "is$ress* AHa-e /ercyI Ha-e /ercy* A!n$ Ree"IA An" $(a$ p!nis(/en$ yo! /a"e /e s!..er 'eca!se yo!r 0ic1e" 'oy s$r!c1 /e331noc1e" /e "o0n .or no$(ing. I 0ill $ell any'o"y 0(o as1s /e 4!es$ions* $(is e2ac$ $ale. Jeople $(in1 yo! a goo" 0o/an* '!$ yo! are 'a"* (ar"3(ear$e". HOK are "ecei$.!lI Ere I (a" .inis(e" $(is reply* my soul began to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt. I$ see/e" as i. an in-isi'le 'on" (a" '!rs$* an" $(a$ I (a" s$r!ggle" o!$ in$o !n(ope"3 .or li'er$y. No$ 0i$(o!$ ca!se 0as $(is sen$i/en$& Mrs. Ree" loo1e" .rig($ene"C (er 0or1 (a" slippe" .ro/ (er 1neeC s(e 0as li.$ing !p (er (an"s* roc1ing (ersel. $o an" .ro* an" e-en $0is$ing (er .ace as i. s(e 0o!l" cry. :c(. =#. :My e/p(asis a""e"#

T(is passage is $(e .irs$ sign $(a$ Jane Eyre is a pro$o$ype o. a .ig($er* no0 'eing a$ $(e 'eginning o. (er .or/a$ion in $(a$ "irec$ion. S(e isn,$ a.rai" $o "isplay (er re'ellio!s 'e(a-ior* an" s(e is no$ a.rai" o. $(e ne2$ c(ap$er in (er li.e. S(e really $(in1s $(a$ $(ere co!l" no$ 'e so/e$(ing 0orse $(an $(e $rea$/en$ s(e recei-e" a$ @a$es(ea". A""i$ionally* $(is o!$'!rs$ con.ir/s $(e .ac$ $(a$ s(e is an orp(an* $(a$ s(e (as no connec$ions in $(e 0orl"* $(a$ s(e is accep$ing (er soli$!"e. S(e is a0are $(a$ s(e is on (er o0n* s(e is (er o0n c(ie.. T(e $ransi$ion .ro/ @a$es(ea" $o Lo0oo" Sc(ool 0as no$ -ery "i..ic!l$. T(e $rea$/en$ 0as rigi" an" s$ric$* $(e girls $(a$ 0ere $(ere 0ere /ean$ $o learn 0(a$ a si/ple li.e is. O. co!rse* $(e i"ea 0as $a1en $o $(e e2$re/e* $(e girls (a-ing $o "eal 0i$( al/os$ s$ar-a$ion* cons$an$ col" an" no 0ar/ clo$(es $o pro$ec$ $(e/ .ro/ i$. T(e (ea"/as$er 0as a s!ppose" /an o. $(e c(!rc(* '!$ in .ac$* (e (a" no$(ing in co//on 0i$( $(e religio!s 'elie.s* $(is 'eing re.lec$e" in (is con"!c$ $o0ar"s $(e !n.or$!na$e orp(ans a$ (is sc(ool. Jane 0as acc!s$o/e" 0i$( $(is 1in" o. $rea$/en$* so $(e $ransi$ion 0as no$ so "i..ic!l$ $o 'e /a"e. T(e .ig!re in c(arge 0as as /ean an" "i..ic!l$ $o !n"ers$an" as (er A!n$ Ree". T(e only "i..erence 'e$0een $(e $0o so3calle" 5(o/es,* is $(a$ Jane "oes no$ any rela$ion L

0i$( any o. $(e /e/'ers a$ Lo0oo" sc(ool* $(is posi$ion e/p(asi?ing (er in"epen"ence an" sel.3reliance. T(e soli$!"e 0as no$ !n.a/iliar $o Jane. Ha-ing $o .ig($ .or (ersel. an" 'e as in"epen"en$ as s(e co!l" 'e a$ (er age 0as no$ so/e$(ing pec!liar. S(e accep$e" (er si$!a$ion an" "i" no$ /in" i$* a$ all.
I stood lonely enough: but to that feeling of isolation I was accustomed; it did not oppress me much.

:c(.

L# F!r$(er/ore* s(e 0as $rying $o .ig!re o!$ $(e /eaning o. $(e place s(e 0as in. S(e .o!n" an inscrip$ion on $(e 0alls* '!$ i$ 0as so/e$(ing $oo a's$rac$ .or (er yo!ng /in" $o !n"ers$an".
...! a stone tablet over the door bore this inscription: "#owood Institution $ %his portion was rebuilt &.'. $ , by (aomi )rockelhurst, of )rockelhurst *all, in this county." "#et your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your +ather which is in heaven."$$ ,t. -att. v. ./. I read these words over and over again: I felt that an explanation belonged to them, and was unable fully to penetrate their import.0

:c(.L#

T(e nee" .or an e2plana$ion /a"e Jane $al1 $o ano$(er girl a$ $(e orp(anage* 0(o $!rne" o!$ $o 'e (er .rien". T(e si/ple .ac$ o. connec$ing $o ano$(er (!/an 'eing* /a"e (er s$ep o!$ o. (er co/.or$ ?one an" $r!s$ so/e'o"y else $(an (ersel...
1an you tell me what the writing on that stone over the door means2 3hat is #owood Institution2 %his house where you are come to live. &nd why do they call it Institution2 Is it in any way different from other schools2 It is partly a charity$school: you and I, and all the rest of us, are charity$children. I suppose you are an orphan: is not either your father or your mother dead2

)oth died before I can remember. 3ell, all the girls here have lost either one or both parents, and this is called an institution for educating orphans. 'o we pay no money2 'o they keep us for nothing2 3e pay, or our friends pay, fifteen pounds a year for each %hen why do they call us charity$children2 )ecause fifteen pounds is not enough for board and teaching, and the deficiency is supplied by subscription. 3ho subscribes2 'ifferent benevolent$minded ladies and gentlemen in this neighborhood and in #ondon.

:c(. L#

Lo0oo"* as an ins$i$!$ion* 0as an orp(anageC $(e girls $(a$ 0ere li-ing $(ere* in $(ose "rea".!l con"i$ions* s(o!l" (a-e 'een consi"ere" 5l!c1y,* 'eca!se* in $(e Vic$orian $i/e* /os$ o. c(il"ren* especially orp(ans* 0ere sen$ $o 0or1 a$ a -ery early age :=3L years ol"# or e-en le.$ in $(e s$ree$ 0ere $(ey (a" $o /anage $o $a1e care o. $(e/sel-es. S$ill* $(e con"i$ions a$ Lo0oo" 0ere no$ 'y .ar sa$is.ac$ory .or $(e goo" "e-elop/en$ o. $(e c(il"ren li-ing $(ere. T(e /oney $(a$ ca/e in .or $(e goo" "e-elop/en$ o. $(e yo!ng girls 0as no$ eno!g(* so $(ey (a" $o .ace so/e (ar" con"i$ions* .or long perio"s. E-en so* Jane 0as /in"ing (er o0n pa$( an" $(e years spen" a$ Lo0oo" 0ere -ery i/por$an$* s(e (a-ing $o en"!re se-eral o's$acles an" s$eps in or"er $o reac( (er goals. O. co!rse* 'eca!se o. $(e !nsani$ary con"i$ions an" $(e poor a/o!n$ o. $(e .oo" $(e girls 0ere recei-ing* an epi"e/ic s$ar$e"* an" /any o. $(e girls "ie"* incl!"ing Jane,s .rien"* Helen !rns. S(e no$ "ies .ro/ $yp(!s* '!$ .ro/ cons!/p$ion.
,emi$starvation and neglected colds had predisposed most of the pupils to receive infection: forty$five out of the eighty girls lay ill at one time. 1lasses were broken up, rules relaxed. %he few who continued well were allowed almost unlimited license; because the medical attendant insisted on the necessity of fre4uent exercise to keep them in health: and had it been otherwise, no one had leisure to watch or restrain them. ...!

3hile disease had thus become an inhabitant of #owood, and death its fre4uent visitor; while there was gloom and fear within its walls; while its rooms and passages steamed with hospital smells, the drug and the pastille striving vainly to overcome the effluvia of mortality, that bright -ay shone unclouded over the bold hills and beautiful woodland out of doors. Its garden, too, glowed with flowers: hollyhocks had sprung up tall as trees, lilies had opened, tulips and roses were in bloom; the borders of the little beds were gay with pink thrift and crimson double daisies; the sweetbriars gave out, morning and evening, their scent of spice and apples; and these fragrant treasures were all useless for most of the inmates of #owood, except to furnish now and then a handful of herbs and blossoms to put in a coffin.

e.ore (er "ying* s(e an" Helen spen$ a nig($ $oge$(er* "isc!ssing* an" 0i$( $(is con-ersa$ion Jane /anage" $o !n"ers$an" an" c(ange (er perspec$i-e !pon li.e* "ea$( an" $(eir /eaning.
I came to see you, *elen: I heard you were very ill, and I could not sleep till I had spoken to you. 5ou came to bid me good$bye, then: you are 6ust in time probably. &re you going somewhere, *elen2 &re you going home2 5es; to my long home$$my last home. (o, no, *elen7 I stopped, distressed. 3hile I tried to devour my tears, a fit of coughing sei8ed *elen; it did not, however, wake the nurse; when it was over, she lay some minutes exhausted; then she whispered $ ...! I am very happy, 9ane; and when you hear that I am dead, you must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about. 3e all must die one day, and the illness which is removing me is not painful; it is gentle and gradual: my mind is at rest. I leave no one to regret me much: I have only a father; and he is lately married, and will not miss me. )y dying young, I shall escape great sufferings. I had not 4ualities or talents to make my way very well in the world: I should have been continually at fault. )ut where are you going to, *elen2 1an you see2 'o you know2 I believe; I have faith: I am going to :od. 3here is :od2 3hat is :od2

-y -aker and yours, who will never destroy what *e created. I rely implicitly on *is power, and confide wholly in *is goodness: I count the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall restore me to *im, reveal *im to me. 5ou are sure, then, *elen, that there is such a place as heaven, and that our souls can get to it when we die2 I am sure there is a future state; I believe :od is good; I can resign my immortal part to *im without any misgiving. :od is my father; :od is my friend: I love *im; I believe *e loves me. &nd shall I see you again, *elen, when I die2 5ou will come to the same region of happiness: be received by the same mighty, universal ;arent, no doubt, dear 9ane.

T(is "isc!ssion represen$s a re-ela$ion .or yo!ng Jane. S(e (a" so/e /is!n"ers$an"ing regar"ing (er C(ris$ian 'elie.s. Ha-ing no paren$s or close rela$i-es $o rely on* Jane .or/e" (er o0n opinion* 0(ic( canno$ 'e s(a1en. S(e is /is$a1en $(o!g(* $(in1ing $(a$ 0(en Helen is saying (er goo"'yes* s(e is lea-ing .or so/e place "i..eren$. S(e "oes no$ !n"ers$an" $(e $r!e /eaning* '!$ Helen e2plains $o (er 0(ere s(e is really lea-ing. S(e e2plains $(a$ $(ey 0ill /ee$ again in $(e place 0(ere $(ere is no sorro0 or pain* '!$ en"less (appiness. Dea$( represen$s .or Helen a relie.* an escape .ro/ $(e $r!e ear$(ly pain. S(e "ie" con$e/p$ an" easy. Helen represen$s $(e C(ris$ian 'elie.s o. en"!rance an" lo-e* 0(ic( are incongr!o!s 0i$( Jane,s 'elie.s o. 6!s$ice* sel.3s!..iciency an" sel.3 respec$. Jane los$ (er .rien" '!$ $(e si$!a$ion s$ar$e" $o i/pro-e. eca!se o. $(e n!/ero!s "ea$(s a$ Lo0oo" Sc(ool* $(e people in c(arge 0ere c(ange"* incl!"ing Mr. roc1el(!rs$. T(ere.ore* $(is !n.or$!na$e episo"e $!rne" Jane,s si$!a$ion aro!n". T(e ne2$ si2 years in (er s$ay a$ Lo0oo"* (er s$!"ies i/pro-e" -isi'ly. S(e $a1es $(e responsi'ili$y $o $eac( o$(er yo!ng girls .or ano$(er $0o years. A.$er $(ese eig($ years spen$ a$ Lo0oo" Sc(ool* Jane is rea"y .or ano$(er s$age in (er li.e* a ne0 en-iron/en$* a ne0 li.e. S(e (as $o /anage $o s!ppor$ (ersel.* s(e /!s$ 'e a'le $o (a-e a /eaning an" no$ 'e a '!r"en .or (er socie$y* or a c(il" o. o$(er,s /ercy. S(e $a1es <

a 6o' as a go-erness a$ T(orn.iel"* a 6o' $(a$ can o..er (er $(e .inancial in"epen"ence an" $(e sel.3reliance s(e see1s. c# T(orn.iel" an" 'ac1 T(e role o. $(e go-erness in $(e Vic$orian perio" 0as "isc!sse" .re4!en$ly. T(ey appeare" $o 'e in"epen"en$ 0o/en* $(a$ can pro-i"e .ro/ $(e/sel-es an" $(eir i/age 0as a $(rea$ $o $(e i"ea o. $(e ins$i$!$ion o. .a/ily.
<-ary ;ooveys essay on the ambiguous role of the governess in the nineteenth$century culture provides a crucial interpretative context for 9ane =yre. ,he argues that the figure who epitomi8ed the >ictorian domestic ideal was also the figure who threatened to destroy it, and she draws attention to the various ways in which the governess was seen as a potentially threatening to middle$class family stability. If the governess was meant to provide an image of moral propriety within the home, she was also treated with suspicion as a sexually available single woman; and while she resembled the middle$class mother in the work she performed, she was like a working$class woman in terms of the wages she received. ?@egan: .ABC

Moreo-er* $(eir place in $(e Vic$orian (o!ses 0as near $o $(a$ o. $(e ser-an$s* e-en $(o!g( $(eir in$elec$!al le-el 0as s!ppose" $o 'e -ery (ig(. Also* $(eir con"!c$ an" /anners s(o!l" appear i/peca'le* in or"er $o e/prin$ $(eir 1no0le"ge in $(e c(arac$er o. $(e c(il"ren $(ey 0ere raising. T(is is $(e case o. Jane as 0ell. >(ile s(e is 'eco/ing an aris$ocra$ in (er 'e(a-ior* 'eing /ore sop(is$ica$e" an" (a-ing /ore social grace* s(e is s$ill penniless an" lac1ing .!ll con$rol :0(ic( .or a personali$y li1e Jane,s is -i$al#. O. co!rse* $(e e2perience a$ T(orn.iel" 0as a ne0 s$age in (er li.e an" s(e 0as "e$er/ine" $o e/'race i$. Her si$!a$ion 0as ra"ically c(ange" an" also* $(e 0ay in 0(ic( s(e 0as percei-e". Her s$a$!$e o. in"epen"ency 0as 'eco/ing /ore an" /ore "esire" an" e-en $(o!g(* a$ $(e 'eginning s(e 0as eager $o s$ar$ (er ne0 li.e* a.$er a 0(ile s(e 'egan $o .eel $rappe".
It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tran4uility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. -illions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot. ?ch. .DC

;N

T(e silen$ (o/e a$ T(orn.iel" 0as 'eginning $o 'ore (er* $(e $ran4!ili$y 0as s$ar$ing $o i/prison (er an" $(e silence aro!n" (er 0as 'eco/ing pressing. T(is cal/ness 0as a '!r"en .or res$less spiri$s li1e o!r (ero. T(is is s!ppose"ly $(e case o. $(e a!$(or* $oo* an" o. /any o$(er /any Vic$orian 0o/en. In $(is passage* ron$+ is !n"erlying one o. $(e /os$ i/por$an$ pro'le/s $(a$ $(e 0o/en o. (er $i/es 0ere (a-ing regar"ing $(eir s$a$!s o. an" $(eir ina'ili$y $o e2press $(e/sel-es. T(e Vic$orian 0o/en 0ere silen$ly s!..ering .ro/ a social en$rap/en$ an" $(ey "i" no$ (a-e $(e possi'ili$y $o 'rea1 o!$ o. $(e cage $(a$ 0as sorro!n"ing $(e/. T(is 1in" o. s!perior 'e(a-ior is applie" $o Jane a$ $(e .irs$ enco!n$er 0i$( $(e /as$er o. $(e (o!se* Mr. Roc(es$er. in$rig!ing an" !$* a.$er $(a$ Mr. Roc(es$er .in"s Jane,s 'e(a-ior ra$(er

;;

Feeling . . . cla/o!re" 0il"ly. %O(* co/plyI) i$ sai". %. . . Soo$(e (i/C sa-e (i/C lo-e (i/C $ell (i/ yo! lo-e (i/ an" 0ill 'e (is. >(o in $(e 0orl" cares .or yo!O Or 0(o 0ill 'e in6!re" 'y 0(a$ yo! "oO) S$ill in"o/i$a'le 0as $(e reply& %I care .or /ysel.. T(e /ore soli$ary* $(e /ore .rien"less* $(e /ore !ns!s$aine" I a/* $(e /ore I 0ill respec$ /ysel.. I 0ill 1eep $(e la0 gi-en 'y @o"C sanc$ione" 'y /an. I 0ill (ol" $o $(e principles recei-e" 'y /e 0(en I 0as sane an" no$ /a"Pas I a/ no0. La0s an" principles are no$ .or $(e $i/es 0(en $(ere is no $e/p$a$ion. . . . T(ey (a-e a 0or$(Pso I (a-e al0ays 'elie-e"C an" i. I canno$ 'elie-e i$ no0* i$ is 'eca!se I a/ insaneP4!i$e insane& 0i$( /y -eins r!nning .ire* an" /y (ear$ 'ea$ing .as$er $(an I can co!n$ i$s $(ro's.)

D. %S(all IO) I sai" 'rie.lyC an" I loo1e" a$ (is .ea$!res* 'ea!$i.!l in $(eir (ar/ony* '!$ s$rangely .or/i"a'le in $(eir s$ill se-eri$yC a$ (is 'ro0* co//an"ing* '!$ no$ openC a$ (is eyes* 'rig($ an" "eep an" searc(ing* '!$ ne-er so.$C a$ (is $all i/posing .ig!reC an" .ancie" /ysel. in i"ea (is 0i.e. O(I I$ 0o!l" ne-er "oI As (is c!ra$e* (is co/ra"e* all 0o!l" 'e rig($& I 0o!l" cross oceans 0i$( (i/ in $(a$ capaci$yC $oil !n"er Eas$ern s!ns* in Asian "eser$s 0i$( (i/ in $(a$ o..iceC a"/ire an" e/!la$e (is co!rage an" "e-o$ion an" -igor& acco//o"a$e 4!ie$ly $o (is /as$er (oo"C s/ile !n"is$!r'e" a$ (is inera"ica'le a/'i$ion. . . . I s(o!l" s!..er o.$en* no "o!'$* a$$ac(e" $o (i/ only in $(is capaci$y& /y 'o"y 0o!l" 'e !n"er a ra$(er s$ringen$ yo1e* '!$ /y (ear$ an" /in" 0o!l" 'e .ree. I s(o!l" s$ill (a-e /y !nlig($e" sel. $o $!rn $o& /y na$!ral ensla-e" .eelings 0i$( 0(ic( $o co//!nica$e in /o/en$s o. loneliness. T(ere 0o!l" 'e recesses in /y /in" 0(ic( 0o!l" 'e only /ine* $o 0(ic( (e ne-er ca/eC an" sen$i/en$s gro0ing $(ere* .res( an" s(el$ere"* 0(ic( (is a!s$eri$y co!l" ne-er 'lig($* nor (is /eas!re" 0arrior3/arc( $ra/ple "o0n& '!$ as (is 0i.ePa$ (is si"e al0ays* an" al0ays res$raine"* an" al0ays c(ec1e"P .orce" $o 1eep $(e .ire o. /y na$!re con$in!ally lo0* $o co/pel i$ $o '!rn in0ar"ly an" ne-er !$$er a cry* $(o!g( $(e i/prisone" .la/e cons!/e" -i$al a.$er -i$alP$(is 0o!l" 'e !nen"!ra'le. =. I co!l" no$ (elp i$C $(e res$lessness 0as in /y na$!reC i$ agi$a$e" /e $o pain so/e$i/es. T(en /y sole relie. 0as $o 0al1 along $(e corri"or o. $(e $(ir" s$ory* 'ac10ar"s an" ;E

.or0ar"s* sa.e in $(e silence an" soli$!"e o. $(e spo$* an" allo0 /y /in",s eye $o "0ell on 0(a$e-er 'rig($ -isions rose 'e.ore i$Pan"* cer$ainly* $(ey 0ere /any an" glo0ingC $o le$ /y (ear$ 'e (ea-e" 'y $(e e2!l$an$ /o-e/en$ . . . an"* 'es$ o. all* $o open /y in0ar" ear $o a $ale $(a$ 0as ne-er en"e"Pa $ale /y i/agina$ion crea$e"* an" narra$e" con$in!o!slyC 4!ic1ene" 0i$( all o. inci"en$* li.e* .ire* .eeling* $(a$ I "esire" an" (a" no$ in /y ac$!al e2is$ence. I$ is in -ain $o say (!/an 'eings o!g($ $o 'e sa$is.ie" 0i$( $ran4!ili$y& $(ey /!s$ (a-e ac$ionC an" $(ey 0ill /a1e i$ i. $(ey canno$ .in" i$. Millions are con"e/ne" $o a s$iller "oo/ $(an /ine* an" /illions are in silen$ re-ol$ agains$ $(eir lo$. No'o"y 1no0s (o0 /any re'ellions 'esi"es poli$ical re'ellions .er/en$ in $(e /asses o. li.e 0(ic( people ear$(. >o/en are s!ppose" $o 'e -ery cal/ generally& '!$ 0o/en .eel 6!s$ as /en .eelC $(ey nee" e2ercise .or $(eir .ac!l$ies* an" a .iel" .or $(eir e..or$s as /!c( as $(eir 'ro$(ers "oC $(ey s!..er .ro/ $oo rigi" a res$rain$* $oo a'sol!$e a s$agna$ion* precisely as /en 0o!l" s!..erC an" i$ is narro03/in"e" in $(eir /ore pri-ilege" .ello03crea$!res $o say $(a$ $(ey o!g($ $o con.ine $(e/sel-es $o /a1ing p!""ings an" 1ni$$ing s$oc1ings* $o playing on $(e piano an" e/'roi"ering 'ags. I$ is $(o!g($less $o con"e/n $(e/* or la!g( a$ $(e/* i. $(ey see1 $o "o /ore or learn /ore $(an c!s$o/ (as prono!nce" necessary .or $(eir se2. C(ap$er ;E

%I care .or /ysel.. T(e /ore soli$ary* $(e /ore .rien"less* $(e /ore !ns!s$aine" I a/* $(e /ore I 0ill respec$ /ysel..) Q C(arlo$$e ron$+* 9ane =yre $ags&* "e.iance* e/po0er/en$* in"epen"ence* in"i-i"!ali$y* sel.3ass!rance* sel.3 a0areness* sel.3con$ain/en$* sel.3"e$er/ina$ion* sel.3es$ee/* sel.3reliance* sel.3respec$* sel.3s!..iciency* sel.3$r!s$* soli$!"e T(e inci"en$ o. $(e %/a"0o/an in $(e a$$ic) is pro'a'ly $(e /os$ .a/o!s in 9ane =yre, an" i$ (as gi-en rise $o inn!/era'le in$erpre$a$ions an" sy/'olic rea"ings. For e2a/ple* er$(a Mason co!l" represen$ $(e (orror o. Vic$orian /arriage. Roc(es$er clai/s $o (a-e i/prisone" (er 'eca!se s(e is /a"* '!$ i$ is easy $o i/agine an opposi$e rela$ion o. ca!se an" e..ec$* in 0(ic( years o. en.orce" i/prison/en$ an" isola$ion (a-e /a"e (er -iolen$ly insane or* a$ leas$* increase" (er insani$y. T(!s* $(e l!na$ic in $(e a$$ic co!l" represen$ $(e con.ining an" repressi-e aspec$s o. Vic$orian 0i.e(oo"* s!gges$ing $(a$ $(e lac1 o. a!$ono/y an" .ree"o/ in /arriage s!..oca$es 0o/en* $(rea$ening $(eir /en$al

;D

an" e/o$ional (eal$(.

er$(a,s $earing o. Jane,s 0e""ing -eil co!l" 'e seen as

sy/'oli?ing (er re-ol$ agains$ $(e ins$i$!$ion o. /arriage.

;=