Religion In Jane Eyre

When Jane Eyre was first published in 1847, it became an immediate success. George Lewes, a well-respected British critic of the time, praised the “originality and freshness of its style, possessing the merit so rarely met with now-a-days in works of this class” and deemed it “the best novel of the season” (581) while Rev. Dana of the New York Harbinger applauded its “dramatic power” and impressive “penetration into the secrets of human character” (95). Not all critics shared this view, however. Some reviewers held harsher opinions and denounced the book not only as a literary failure, but as wholly anti-Christian as well, a threat to both religion and social order. One of the most condemning of these reviews was written by Elizabeth Rigby, …show more content…
Contrary to what some critics have claimed, I would argue that Jane is not the subversive, self-seeking heretic that some readings have made her out to be, but a character whose growing relationship with God is at the heart of all her decisions. Throughout the novel Jane earnestly seeks to discover and perform the will of God and live in accordance with His rules. Ultimately, Jane discerns God’s will for her life and thus finds happiness through her interactions with others, her own moral development, and her continual reliance on God. (relationship with God? Awareness with God? Dialogue with …show more content…
John Rivers, who takes in and provides for a starving Jane. From the beginning of their relationship, Jane views St. John as a spiritual giant, a “conscientious, zealous” man with “insatiate yearnings and disquieting aspirations,” yet one who is “inexorable as death” (345-349). As their relationship deepens, St. John begins to exert an unhealthy control over her will, “By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind” (388). After observing Jane and calculating her natural abilities, St. John offers marriage to her, based on the belief that it is the will of God that she become a missionary and accompany him to India. He claims it his duty to “speak Heaven’s message in [her] ear,—to offer [her], direct from God, a place in the ranks of His chosen” (392). When Jane initially refuses his offer, St. John persists, telling Jane what her Maker demands of her: “God and nature intended you for a missionary’s wife.” Finally, when Jane resists him still, he equates his person with that of God’s, ominously warning her, “Take that time to consider my offer: and do not forget that if you reject it, it is not me you deny, but God” (399). Eventually, it is only by God’s divine intervention (brought on my Jane’s fervent prayer and earnest desire to do His will) that