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How Does Jane Eyre Mature

Decent Essays

In Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, the author reveals the independent, mature, and strong values of the protagonist, Jane Eyre, in the male dominated and hierarchical society with the use of first person point of view, selection of detail, and dialogue.
The use of dialogue in the novel verifies Jane Eyre’s independent and mature personality and values that separate her from the hierarchical society she resides in. When being insulted by her aunt that she does not fit in with the rest of the family, Jane replies “they are not fit to associate with me.” The reply that Jane gives to her aunt shows how she can stand up for herself by choosing not to back down in the argument. Jane standing up for herself in the beginning of the novel establishes …show more content…

Jane threatens her aunt by telling other of how her aunt is “bad, hard-hearted…deceitful.” The aunts change in attitude to being friendly and the “desire” to be Jane’s “friend” shows how rank and images are important to the people in the society. Jane learns from a young age how society will be unfair to certain people and it will hold everything to others which shows how Jane is mature for her age to understand that concept. To understand the concepts of life for that time period is not something children typically have to worry about in life or being mistreated in an unfair society. When conversing with Helen Burns in the novel, Jane discusses the concept of death, and how “all must die one day” and Helen understands it and her “mind is at rest”. Jane’s childhood friendship …show more content…

When told Mr. Rochester will be visiting at the residence, Jane replies whether it is “necessary to change my frock?” Jane's reply to the news shows her disapproval of what women should be expected to do in front of a male; in the male dominated society in which women must be below men. Jane was meant to obey what she must do to show respect to the men that she associates with. Her disapproval with the necessity to change her frock shows how she doesn’t believe that women should have less power than the men and should rather be considered an equal. The question that Jane asks about how "necessary" it is shows how women were meant to look the best she can in the society but not be the type to outrank the males. When Mr. Rochester asks about Jane's paintings and how she came about them, she replies "out of my head" and Mr. Rochester comments "That head I see now on your shoulders". The use of Mr. Rochester's comment shows his disbelief that she could have possibly done such a painting and how he has yet to believe it. The selection of detail shows how the society doesn't believe that women could possibly hold a role more than a caregiver and worker. The paintings are used to show her special skills that aren't typically seen in that male dominated society. The paintings are a way to show Jane's independence in a society that is ruled by males. When Jane becomes

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