Key Scene: Jane Eyre
(Page 165-170)
In chapter seventeen of the novel, Brontё hones in on the social structure of Victorian times. This particular scene consists of a celebratory atmosphere where Jane, the lowly governess, is criticized and attacked both professionally and personally by Rochester’s aristocratic guests. While the haughty Lady Ingram and her equally haughty children, Blanche and Theodore, discuss the atrocious nature of governesses at large—namely that of their own over the years—Jane grows increasingly uncomfortable in the corner of the room. Soon enough, she cannot bear to listen any longer. Therefore, she discretely exits the room; however, not so discrete as to escape the watchful eye of Mr. Rochester.
This is a very significant scene, as it emphasizes Jane’s social status as a governess. It is first important to acknowledge the expected role for Jane at Thornfield. As a governess, she has come to stand equal to the likes of the servants in the eyes of Rochester’s guests. A governess is expected to have the proper etiquette of that of an aristocrat, yet is only regarded as much as the servants of the estate. Thus, the supercilious behavior of the guests towards Jane is merely Brontё’s manner of exposing the pompous nature of high society—primarily her own criticisms of such. In regards to Jane, she is not nearly as superficial and materialistic as the haughty members of Rochester’s party. For example, whenever Jane first encounters another person, she does not judge him solely on his appearance; rather, she analyzes the facial features which she believes to tell the truth of a person’s intentions and principles. The face is where the heart cannot hide itself, and there are many instances, such as when Richard Mason arrives at Thornfield or when Jane demands to read Rochester’s mien after his marriage proposal, when she puts this idea to work. As for the women of the Victorian upper class, they instead judge others based on their pecuniary status and therefore their
In chapter seventeen of the novel, Brontё hones in on the social structure of Victorian times. This particular scene consists of a celebratory atmosphere where Jane, the lowly governess, is criticized and attacked both professionally and personally by Rochester’s aristocratic guests. While the haughty Lady Ingram and her equally haughty children, Blanche and Theodore, discuss the atrocious nature of governesses at large—namely that of their own over the years—Jane grows increasingly uncomfortable in the corner of the room. Soon enough, she cannot bear to listen any longer. Therefore, she discretely exits the room; however, not so discrete as to escape the watchful eye of Mr. Rochester.
This is a very significant scene, as it emphasizes Jane’s social status as a governess. It is first important to acknowledge the expected role for Jane at Thornfield. As a governess, she has come to stand equal to the likes of the servants in the eyes of Rochester’s guests. A governess is expected to have the proper etiquette of that of an aristocrat, yet is only regarded as much as the servants of the estate. Thus, the supercilious behavior of the guests towards Jane is merely Brontё’s manner of exposing the pompous nature of high society—primarily her own criticisms of such. In regards to Jane, she is not nearly as superficial and materialistic as the haughty members of Rochester’s party. For example, whenever Jane first encounters another person, she does not judge him solely on his appearance; rather, she analyzes the facial features which she believes to tell the truth of a person’s intentions and principles. The face is where the heart cannot hide itself, and there are many instances, such as when Richard Mason arrives at Thornfield or when Jane demands to read Rochester’s mien after his marriage proposal, when she puts this idea to work. As for the women of the Victorian upper class, they instead judge others based on their pecuniary status and therefore their