Rego Yasendalika (0910732021) Gindho Rizano, M.Hum.

Literary Criticism I December 19, 2011

Image of Woman in Jane Eyre Story Jane Eyre is a novel that was written by Charlotte Bront in 1847. This novel that reflected the age nineteenth century denotes influential feminist text, because this story explores the feeling of woman character. The interesting one that provides in this novel is; although the story describes the life in nineteenth century, but in character of Jane Eyre does not. Unlike the character of Cinderella that is defenseless with destiny and waits the miracle, Jane Eyre tries to change her destiny. Briefly about Janes story, Jane Eyre is a poor orphan girl who lived under the tutelage of his uncle, the brother of his late mother, in a mansion named Gateshead. Life becomes more difficult for the girl when her uncle died and Jane have lived in the care of an aunt who hated and cousins who did not like her. Various cunning act they make Jane often receive punishment. The culmination of all the punishment are sent Jane to Loowod Institute, a dormitory for orphans with very strict rules, yet without food, adequate clothing and heating in winter. Yet, it is precisely in Lowood Jane find his identity. She can explore his ability in the Lowood School. She also get her job in Thornfield. She work as the sitter Mr. Rochesters foster children, Adele.

In Thornfield, her life began to change. Formerly he was not appreciated, here she is appreciated. Apart from that, he found love. The man who made her fall in love is Mr. Rochester. Mr. Rochester that had been host to her, have now become her lover, even they will get married. However, the wedding is off because there is a big secret that had been kept by Mr. Rochester. Apparently, she still has a wife who kept the secret of the room because her crazy disease. Heard it all, Jane left Thornfield. In his desperation to bring Jane to Moor House and brothers live together River, St. John, Mary, and Diana. Jane went back to the girls' school educator who founded St. John who was a pastor. Through St. John also Jane accidentally finds out the root of the family of the deceased father with River brothers as one of her cousins. St. John River wanted to marry Jane and take her to accompany him to India in order to missionaries. John refused because he remembered the times with Mr.. Rochester. Finally he goes to Thornfield to meet mr. Rochester. Arriving got there, she saw the home of Mr.. Rochester has been burned by Bertha Mason, his mad wife who lost her life in the fire. Rochester saved the servants but lost his eyesight and one of his hands. Jane travels on to Rochesters new residence, Ferndean, where he lives with two servants named John and Mary. At Ferndean, Rochester and Jane rebuild their relationship and soon marry. There are some images of woman that can be seen in the story of Jane Eyre. The first one, She is rebellion and brave woman. We can look in the quotation below.

John Reed says: You have no business to take our books; you are a dependant, mamma says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with gentlemens children like us, and eat the same meals we do, and wear clothes at our mammas expense. Now, Ill teach you to rummage my bookshelves: for they are mine; Jane Eyre says: Wicked and cruel boy! I said. You are like a murderedyou are like a slave-driveryou are like the Roman emperors! Rebellion here was that she did not easily accept the treatment that is not good against her. Although the novel is written in nineteenth century, but this novel give inspiration to modern woman (woman in present) in which woman is not like Cinderella. As we know, Cinderella is the figure of a character who receives the fate of what is and wait for a miracle to come. The authors stress that this is the womans time to move. Secondly, Jane is the figure that independent. Probably, she had been abandoned by her parents so she does not like a spoiled person. We can the following conversation. Is she going by herself? asked the porters wife Yes And how far is it? Fifty miles What a long way! I wonder Mrs. Reed is not afraid to trust her so far alone. Jane does not want to bother other people, so he decided to go to Lowood (school for orphan children) school alone. This suggests that Jane Eyre is an independent woman.

Besides, Jane Eyre is tolerance woman. She does not want to hurt the feeling of Bertha, Mr. Rochesters mad wife. She does not continue the wedding and decide go away leave the Tornfield. We can see the quotation below. But the answer my mind gaveLeave Thornfield at oncewas so prompt, so dread, that I stopped my ears. I said I could not bear such words now. That I am not Edward Rochesters wife is the least part of my woe, I alleged: but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it. Although she loves Mr. Rochester very much, she doesnt want to take sides for the sake of her own. She felt better to go than to be a problem later on. Such this figure should be possessed by every woman. Finally, One of the characteristic that should woman belongs is that not materialistic. Although, suddenly, St. John Rivers surprises her one day by declaring that her uncle, John Eyre, has died and left her a large fortune: 20.000 pounds. We can look the following quotation. St. John smiled. Did I not say you neglected essential points to pursue trifles? he asked. You were serious when I told you had got a fortune; and now, for a matter of no moment, you are excited. Here, she is more concerned with relation than the fortune that she get from her late uncle. St. John is amazed because she doesnt care about the fortune from her late uncle but she is very excited when she knows that she has cousins. This characteristic should be imitated by the women. From the explanation above, we conclude that, Charlotte Bront concerns about woman as a reader. We can see that Jane Eyre story brings the image of woman. Firstly, woman must be courageous and dont be easily defeated by destiny. Our destiny can be changed by ourselves as long as we try to change.

Secondly, Jane Eyre is independent woman. Although she doesnt have anyone, she still can survive. Besides, Jane Eyre is tolerant woman. She is willing to sacrifice her love so that no one else is hurt. Finally, she is not materialistic. She is more care to her relative than the fortune from her uncle, John Eyre. Although the novel is written and describe nineteenth century condition, but the figure Jane describes the image of woman in modern era.

Work Cited Bront Charlotte. 1448. Jane Eyre.