Mrs. Mesdjian
English 2 H
21 February 2013
Jane Eyre Persuasive Essay
In the novel Jane Eyre, our protagonist Jane faces many difficult situations that can be solved by different solutions. In one specific situation, Jane is faced with a complicated problem that demands her to decide either to marry Mr. Rochester and live comfortably while feeling personally restricted or to leave Rochester and start a sudden life on her own. Jane eventually decides to leave Mr. Rochester and runs away from Thornsfield, going through many trials and tribulations and eventually marries Rochester in the end. Although many people may feel that Jane’s runaway was inconvenient and unnecessary because the end result was similar, I believe that Jane’s journey away from Thornsfield was important and significant to her.
Many people believe that Jane would have saved time and energy if she had married Rochester instead of running away on their wedding day. This can hold to be very reasonable because Jane’s runaway resulted in several bad omens such as the Thornsfield mansion burning, the struggles of her friends and relatives to try and find her, and the unhappiness of her acquaintances, such as Adele. In the book, Bronte even writes about Adele’s unhappiness while at school; “Her frantic joy at beholding me again moved me much. She looked pale and thin: she said she was not happy. (Bronte 173)” One can possibly argue that these events could have been avoided if Jane had not run away and married Mr. Rochester on the spot.
It is true that Jane could have saved much time, energy, and heartbreak if she decided to go along with the marriage on her wedding day. But sometimes, wasting time, energy, and going through heartbreak is necessary in order for a certain outcome. When Jane left Thornsfield, she was in a fragile emotional state—confused, betrayed, and still not confident in herself and her status, both as a woman and economically. Her childhood had left her scarred, thinking she was a person who would and could not receive love from others, so she could not love others in return. “You never felt jealousy, did you, Miss Eyre? Of course not: I need not ask you; because you never felt love. (Bronte 137)” Jane’s journey away from Thornsfield helped to slowly change that and build her confidence—the fact that she had people who loved her and had friends who enjoyed her company soon hit her with realization and helped her understand that she was a person who deserved love too. If Jane had married before she realized this, she would have felt uncomfortable and restricted living with Mr. Rochester, always thinking that she “owed” him for loving her, and that she was not deserving of his love. If this mindset were constantly to be in Jane’s mind, it would result in an unhappy atmosphere for Jane and eventually an unhappy Jane. Whereas, in the ending, Jane lives happily with Rochester knowing that they are equals.
From the moment Jane was born, she believed that there were no other relatives besides her—and that she was alone ever since Mrs. Reed had raised her. Jane had always wished for a family, someone else to be there other than her. When Jane runs away from Thornsfield, she quickly resorts to begging, and the Rivers take Jane in and care for her. Later on in the story, she finds out that the Rivers are Jane’s relatives—something Jane has wanted ever since she was a child. When Jane is brought with news that she has other family, she decides to split her new fortune into equal parts with all her new relatives, something she also treasured, which proved how thankful she was for her new family. “….cannot at all imagine the craving I have for fraternal and sisterly love. I never had a home, I never had brothers or sisters; I must and will have them now... (Bronte 413)”. When it comes to making right decisions, I believe Jane made the correct one when she left Thornsfield. There may have been many difficult times she had to suffer through, but the end results all paid off when she lived the happy ending she had always wished for. Other people may disagree and mention that the end result was the same, and that Jane put herself and others through too much because of her decision, that may be true, but in return everyone found happiness and got something even better in return. If she had never left, she may not have been able to find her cousins, a real gift she had been yearning for ever since she was young. I believe the decision Jane made in the story helped her reach the best personal level she could reach, and she gained happiness she would not have been able to gain through her pains.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
She doesn’t want to condemn Rochester to further misery, and a voice within her asks, “Who in the world cares for you?” Jane wonders how she could ever find another man who values her the way Rochester does, and whether, after a life of loneliness and neglect, she should leave the first man who has ever loved her. Yet her conscience tells her that she will respect herself all the more if she bears her suffering alone and does what she believes to be right. She tells Rochester that she must go, but she kisses his cheek and prays aloud for God to bless him as she departs. That night, Jane has a dream in which her mother tells her to flee temptation. She grabs her purse, sneaks down the stairs, and leaves…
- 134 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Bronte demonstrates her stance on feminism by creating characters that defy the stereotypical ideal woman during the Victorian era. Jane’s characterization opposed many desired virtues of the Victorian era because the ideal woman at the time was docile and selflessly devoted to her family as demonstrated in Patmore’s poem which reads, “ Man must be pleased, but him to please/ Is woman’s pleasure.” (Document E) As opposed to the character of Jane Eyre portrayed as a strong, stubborn woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and has control of her own choices. Since she has no familial male figures present in her life, Jane has the opportunity to make autonomous decisions on what she wants, contradicting the standard rule of male ownership of…
- 251 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
At Thornfield, Jane has finally found someone who loves and cherishes her fervently. Jane discovered that Mr. Rochester covered up his marital status and she felt betrayed and hurt by his deceit. After deciding unbendingly to leave Thornfield and Mr. Rochester behind, in this passage, Jane bids farewell to her master though Rochester continuously pleads for her to stay. From Rochester’s speech, he finally realizes that Jane is not going to yield to his wishes from her indomitable manner, but he still yearned for her to be by his side. Rochester passionately uses anaphora to emphasize that no matter how he implored Jane to stay, he vested no power over her. Besides Jane’s thirst for approval from others, another motif in the book is that she submits to no one and sacrifices her principles for nothing, such as her rejecting St. John’s proposal of marriage. Rochester juxtaposes the Jane that loved and treasured him to the Jane that repulsed and broke free of his love with an image of a “resolute, wild, free” and triumphant creature that refuses being controlled and held captive in its cage any longer. He also confessed that although he is the master of the house, he is not able to posses Jane’s self-willed soul. Jane’s character shines as she develops into a mature woman who dictates her own destiny. She would rather break free of Rochester’s…
- 422 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Every place that she traveled she gained different levels of knowledge. She chose to stay in Ferndean with Rochester because she felt the safest there with him. Rochester became effusive when she accepted his marriage proposal. She wanted “more of intercourse,” while she was still in Moors end then what was, “within [her] reach," (Brontë 111), which is another reason why she wanted to be with Rochester. As Brontë says, “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it,” (111), and this is what Jane did for herself. She went with the wind, until it carried her back to Rochester, where she gained independence and a passionate…
- 1408 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
In the novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Brontë, Jane gradually matures until she is an independent woman. To achieve this state of autonomy, she must first make some life-changing decisions which mark major turning points in the story. Her first step to establishing herself as a self-sufficient woman occurs when she decides to leave Lowood, as she states, “I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer…” (page 72). Jane indicates in this plea that she undoubtedly desires freedom, since she had been living at the Lowood School for eight years. She therefore decides to find a job, which would liberate her from the school, satisfying her yearning for freedom. Jane’s actions of applying for a job by herself illustrate…
- 597 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Past events in a character’s life largely affect that person’s present and future actions by altering their attitudes and values that guide those actions. Jane Eyer's life was defined by exile. Her childhood was filled with unjust punishment, her school days were melancholy, and, even as an adult, her life continued to be secluded from modern society. Tribulations such as these come with the soul purpose of molding one’s spiritual life. Jane relied on her faith alone for support, and survived triumphantly. This small hope was the enrichment of her alienation. Through Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte uses this character’s experiences to contribute to the development of the entire work.…
- 880 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre was produced in the Victorian era, when social elitism was in its prime and there was great segregation between the upper and lower estates. The former was composed of the clergy and nobility and was defined by wealth, privileges and lavish lifestyles. The middle class, conversely, were the most frustrated by the exclusiveness of the upper estate. Possessing skill, intelligence and assertiveness, they believed that rank and power should derive from talent and merit, rather than from noble birth. Through the demonisation and infliction of a tragic downfall upon “Master Reed”, Brontë condemns the life of pleasure and honour, the lifelong inactivity so heavily indulged by those born into the aristocracy. By characterising Mr Brocklehurst as excessively and hypocritically pious, Brontë highlights the upper clergyman’s propensity to masquerade as a great nobleman, rather than to exercise the competence and benevolence integral to his role. Finally, Brontë implements a love of “servitude” and disdain for a “still … doom”, as well as the ambiguous social position of a governess in her protagonist, Jane Eyre, rendering her an agent for the middle class’ philosophy on worthiness of privilege. Ultimately, Brontë’s Jane Eyre calls for the reformation of the Victorian social structure as the extremities involved in social elitism ignore the inherent needs of man.…
- 1068 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Having learned and endured much, Jane arrives at Thornfield looking forward to her next life of servitude; however, while at Thornfield, her life takes a turn for the better, finally granting her the happiness she deserves all these years.…
- 328 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Jane grows up and moves on to a new place. She’s given a tutoring job by Mrs.Fairfax. She tutors a young girl, Adele. Mr. Rochester, Adele’s caregiver, has experienced some betrayal too. He was tricked into marrying a mental ill woman. Adele’s mother was very promiscuous and he knows he may not be her father. Jane and Rochester fall in love and get engaged. On the wedding day, she’s informed Rochester is married. This betrayal comes in the form of heartbreak. In throws her in the depth of her despair. Jane was always honest with him but he wasn’t with her. There was an act of betrayal between Rochester and his crazy wife, Bertha. The two were still married, yet he was trying to marry another woman while Bertha is living in the basement. That only contributed to her mental illness.…
- 413 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Through the journey of Jane, she approaches many new places, as well as obstacle. Every event, she is asked the same question--to submit and she gives the same answer--no. For example, in the beginning of the novel when she was still at Gateshead, Mrs. Reed tries to get her to change and be a good child, and instead, Jane is rebellious. Jane refuses the order of Mrs. Reed and continued her actions because that is who she is. Another example of Jane never going through moral reconciliation is when Rochester asked her to marry her even after she discover that Rochester already has a wife--Bertha. Though Jane loved him, she respected herself and her beliefs too much and therefore, left Thornfield. As well as these two, another example is also when is at Moorehouse and she does the same thing. St. John constantly asks Jane to marry him, but every time , she refuses. She doesn't want to give up her independence.…
- 332 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre illustrates the significance of self-respect, confidence, and integrity in overcoming several predicaments. Bronte portrays this through Jane, who possesses both a sense of self-worth and dignity, which are continually tested and depicted throughout the novel. These attributes are illustrated when she refuses St. John’s hand in marriage, leaves Rochester after discovering his secret that he is married, and when she bravely stands up to Mrs. Reed.…
- 1114 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
She sees the world as a place that not just for living, but as a place to create, and engage in life. She believes the world is more than just a fireplace, but a forge, where the fire of people is molded into their lives, lives that are wasted when not taking or creating action. Her view is that life is a place that should be lived in the moment, to capture the fire that is being alive. Jane sees her “tranquility” at lowood a prison for her previously mentioned fire, yet recognizes others are “condemned to a stiller doom” than her. Jane feels that a life that is still, a life not having or creating action, is truly a doomed fate. Jane fears this fate, and resists it all she can. She imagines “Life, fire, [and] feeling” constantly while at thornfield, all of which she lacks. Her lacking of these vital human needs in her “actual existence” cause her to become unhappy with her lifestyle, and she pines for a change, which later arrives in Rochester. Jane’s restlessness at Thornfield is explained by her inner monologue on people needing action in their…
- 347 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
During her time at Gateshed and Lowood Jane learns that love will always be there, even if it is hidden to an extreme. While at Gateshed Bessie had been there for Jane and was Jane's backbone during the hardships. "I daren't…
- 1185 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Jane expresses her desire to be with Rochester when she says, "I'll not leave you on my own accord" (Bronte 546). This is the first time in the novel that Jane expresses content with who she is with where she is living. Jane describes her marriage by saying, "I am my husband's life as fully as he is mine. No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am" (Bronte 554). It is evident that Jane feels a close connection with Rochester, and this is one of the first times in her life that she does not feel isolated from everyone she is with.…
- 1141 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Jane Eyre, neglected and unjustly treated, for the first ten years of her life, yearns for love and affection. It is the one trait that defines her throughout her life. This want for acceptance and love is what drives Jane to do everything that she does. She yearns to leave Gateshead, even with all its physical comforts and luxuries simply because she does not get any love from its inhabitants. Lowood on the other hand, with all its physical hardships and rigorous routine, seems to her a far better place than Gateshead. As she says,…
- 2163 Words
- 9 Pages
Good Essays