Fairytales In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

“Fairy tales since the beginning of recorded time, and perhaps earlier, have been ‘a means to conquer the terrors of mankind through metaphor.’” ― Jack D. Zipes

Zipes makes a valid and poignant argument about fairytales and the way that they shape our knowledge of certain ideologies in societies. The idea of taking harsh and unbearable stories and circumstances and making them both relatable and presentable to the youthful mind is astounding, and quite honestly, one of the most important cultural tools that a society can use to their advantage. As people, we learn through not only our own lense of perspective, but through the stories we are told as children, and fairytales create the perfect vehicle for which to deliver mature information to an immature …show more content…
It is no secret that these tales are nothing more than metaphors for a much larger narrative, and “Jane Eyre” is no exception to this fairytale lense. “Jane Eyre” is very much a modern day fairytale and uses fairytale motifs to create a metaphorical world of fantastical realism that helps the reader gain a better understanding and perspective on certain issues concerning trauma, gender and sexuality. Not only does it give the reader a new perspective but “Jane Eyre” enforces the ideals of women’s rights to an extent and takes the approach of a happy ending and makes it ambiguous and leaves it up to the reader’s own personal discretion. Instead of objective storytelling, Bronte uses these metaphors to make the reader question their own personal beliefs on the gender binary, on how we as view women as a society and how class and gender are affected by the people around us. In conclusion, it is evident that Bronte uses the fairytale motif in throughout “Jane Eyre” in order to create a bold and divisive social commentary on women and their role in