Jane Eyre Loves vs. Autonomy. - 1500 Words

In the novel by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, there is a constant battle of love versus autonomy in Jane, the main character. At points Jane feels as if she would give anything to be loved. Yet over the course of the book Jane needs to learn how to gain affection of others without sacrificing something in return. In the early stages of Janes life she was a very autonomous girl. She grew up in a hostile environment in the home of Mrs. Reed and her three children, John, Eliza, and Georgiana that is known as Gateshead. The Reed family showed no love or any sort of affection towards Jane in any way, shape, or form; for they all despised her. She spent most of her time out of contact of others. The most contact she had with someone was a†¦show more content†¦When Rochester proposes to Jane she gives in to love. But then becomes afraid of loosing her autonomy and self image. And then you wont know me, sir; and I shall not be your Jane Eyre any longer, but an ape in a harlequins jacket--a jay in borrowed plumes (Bronte 263). Jane says this to Rochester after he elaborates to Jane about giving her jewels to make her even more beautiful then she already is. But as Jane sees it, if she puts on something that isnt her, she will loose her image of herself, and in addition, her autonomy. She woul d loose her autonomy because she would be allowing someone to make a decision for her when she is perfectly capable of making it. Her fear of losing her autonomy motivates her refusal of Rochesters marriage proposal. Jane believes that marrying Rochester while he remains legally tied to Bertha, Rochesters wife at the time, would mean rendering herself a mistress and sacrificing her own integrity for the sake of emotional gratification. After refusing to marry Mr. Rochester she leaves Thornfield with no destination. She turns up at the Moor House, the residents there are St. John Rivers and his sisters Diana and Mary. These residents Jane learns are her cousins. After having stayed there for quite some time, St. John starts to have feelings for Jane. In an attempt to hide his true feelings, he asks Jane to marry him for the sole purpose to be his missionary wife in Africa. Shall I? I said briefly; and I looked at hisShow MoreRelatedAutonomy vs Love in Brontes Jane Eyre Essay983 Words   |  4 Pagesto newspapers, the need for love is universal. Love is an emotional necessity that even Jane, from Charlotte Bronte’s book Jane Eyre, cannot ignore. Throughout the story line, Jane is constantly searching to find love. She was looking, not just for the love of a man, but for the love of a family. However, Jane’s search for love sometimes ends up challenging her autonomy. While Jane is longing for love, she is not willing to give up her independence for it. Yet as Jane becomes older and her independenceRead MoreMorality in Victorian and Neo-Victorian Novels Essay4239 Words   |  17 PagesMorality in Victorian and Neo-Victorian Novels An essay on Jane Eyre, The Mill on the Floss, The French Lieutenants Woman, Possession and The Dress Lodger The Victorian era is one bound to morality. Morality is also defined through the traditional and religious standards that structure the way of life for many Victorians. Morality is defined as the proper principles and standards, in respect to right and wrong, which are to be practiced by all humanity. Ideally, these include obtaining