How Is Jane Eyre Uncivilized

“Civilized” is often used to denote, in propaganda most notably, a high standard of moral regard. For instance, if two countries are fighting one may use propaganda to sway their citizens they are fighting as a civilized nation, one on the righteous side of the battle, while the other side is uncivilized and barbaric. However, defining civilization based on specific moral values is too subjective and arbitrary. Civilization is a concept of man-made societal standards in the most refined culture; man-made because civilization is defined by wide cultural and socioeconomic differences between peoples/nations. Therefore, a civilized person abides by societal standards. Being a civilized individual is relative to the society or nation to which
For instance, Charlotte Bronte’s character Jane Eyre is uncivilized because she challenges the social standards of her time with the ideologies she expresses through her actions. Jane Eyre marries for love rather than money or social status and she financially provides for herself; both of which are frowned upon by her society that values money, social standing, and the cult of domesticity (a doctrine that urged women to stay at home and fulfill their familial and household duties instead of enter the workforce or be single). Jane Eyre’s reasoning behind her marriage is revealed when she realizes that Rochester “is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is—I feel akin to him— I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him” (Bronte 177). Although she admits he is wealthier and of a higher social class, she does not cite these as motivation for her love. Since Jane Eyre’s values differ from the values of her society, she is