How Does Bronte Obtain Power In Jane Eyre

Jane begins to fear overcoming her oppression since Bertha’s actions are perceived as “mad,” which is highlighted by Brontë’s choice to add Bertha into Jane’s dreams. Prior to their wedding, Rochester bought Jane a veil. Jane comments that Rochester bought the veil with his “princely extravagance” (323), suggesting that he splurged on it, in an effort to bribe Jane into the marriage. Furthermore, by commenting that Rochester is “princely,” Brontë is suggesting that Rochester has power over Jane, and this power will increase once they are married. In contrast, in “Jane Eyre: Governess to Girl Bride,” literary critic Esther Godfrey believes that Jane gains power as the novel continues. Godfrey notes that Brontë uses Jane’s marriage to Mr. Rochester, an older man, …show more content…
Jane describes Bertha: “She took my veil from its place; she held it up, gazed at it long, and then she threw it over her own head, and turned to the mirror” (327). Bertha carelessly “threw” the veil on her head, suggesting her rejection of marriage and female oppression. Then, she “rent it into two parts” (327) suggesting Bertha’s refusal, and Jane’s inner refusal, to be imprisoned by marriage. However, Jane feels “bewildered” (328) and frightened after watching Bertha destroy the veil. This feeling is commented on by literary critic Maggie Berg in her criticism “Jane Eyre: Portrait of a Life.” Berg astutely asserts that Jane “so projects her imagination onto the external world that the distinction between reality and fantasy breaks down, producing the nightmare atmosphere” (26). Berg argues that with the incorporation of the “external world” in Jane’s imagination, yields a fearful environment. Thus, since Bertha is incorporated in her dream, Jane’s dream becomes a nightmare. By creating a nightmare environment, Brontë suggests that Jane is becoming more aware of the distinction between fantasy and reality. Ideally, Jane wants to escape her