Who could have guessed there was a woman fighting back against the 1800s idea that women are always supposed to rely on a man? In the novel, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, there was a lower class woman named Jane Eyre, who interacted with, fell in love with, argued with, and learned from a multitude of different characters, such as John Reed, Mr. Rochester, and St. John. Jane started off as a poor orphan who then gained independence as she went through school, got herself a job, inherited money and became a wealthy woman. She then realized she would rather rely on herself and be independent, even when she had someone else to rely on. Jane learned how to be self reliant in quite a few aspects of her life throughout her struggles with John Reed,
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Initially, Jane Eyre began to gain self reliance when she was living with the Reeds. She was treated with neglect and abuse and she began to resist and fight back, which was the first sign of her independance. While being abused by John Reed, Jane stated, “‘Wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murderer ̶ you are like a slave-driver ̶ you are like the Roman emperors!’”(6) This was the first time Jane had ever spoken out against her unfair abuse. It might seem like a small act but this was the turning point that Jane had in her life that taught her to stand up for herself. Additionally, she showed independance when she was being debased by Mr.Rochester when he had tried to spoil her with materialistic items after they had gotten engaged. She expressed her annoyance when she said, “Glad was I to get him out of the silk warehouse, and then out of a jeweller’s shop: the more he bought me, the more my cheek burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation.”(284) Jane didn't want any materialistic presents because she would rather have an intellectual bond than a bond based on financial status and gifts. She stood her ground against Rochester and developed more confidence in voicing her opinion. Just as equally important, Jane told St.John that she was not going to join him as a missionary like he wished. She made a powerful statement when she said, “‘Oh! I will give my heart to
Initially, Jane Eyre began to gain self reliance when she was living with the Reeds. She was treated with neglect and abuse and she began to resist and fight back, which was the first sign of her independance. While being abused by John Reed, Jane stated, “‘Wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murderer ̶ you are like a slave-driver ̶ you are like the Roman emperors!’”(6) This was the first time Jane had ever spoken out against her unfair abuse. It might seem like a small act but this was the turning point that Jane had in her life that taught her to stand up for herself. Additionally, she showed independance when she was being debased by Mr.Rochester when he had tried to spoil her with materialistic items after they had gotten engaged. She expressed her annoyance when she said, “Glad was I to get him out of the silk warehouse, and then out of a jeweller’s shop: the more he bought me, the more my cheek burned with a sense of annoyance and degradation.”(284) Jane didn't want any materialistic presents because she would rather have an intellectual bond than a bond based on financial status and gifts. She stood her ground against Rochester and developed more confidence in voicing her opinion. Just as equally important, Jane told St.John that she was not going to join him as a missionary like he wished. She made a powerful statement when she said, “‘Oh! I will give my heart to