Feminism in the novel Jane Eyr

The word "feminism" today can conjure up any number of images and nasty thoughts of left-wing bra-burning man-hating radicals or women in politics fighting for pro-choice options. It seems like everyone has an opinion when it comes to the word feminism, and many of them are somewhat negative. However, recently, feminism has calmed down and gained a quieter reputation. Although feminism seems to the modern reader a phenomenon of the 20th century with the suffragettes of the 20’s and the women’s liberation movement of the 60’s and 70’s, it has always existed. It was not always called feminism, nor did believers in equality always have a refuge with like-thinkers. In Charlotte romance novel, Jane Eyre, the protagonist, Jane, had a definite feminist bent. In 1800’s, behavior followed such straight-laced regulated standards that most modern women would be considered excruciatingly radical and unconventional. Thus Jane’s version of feminism was much milder by our expectations, but it exists nonetheless. Jane strove for what Webster’s dictionary describes as, "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men," except of course, there was no "doctrine" in

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She said,

"Nobody knows how many rebellions besides political rebellions ferment in the masses of life in which people earth. This lack of traditional female role models left Jane to act the only way she knew how when it came to her place with men: to be equal to them. Jane said that Miss Temple "impressed me by her voice, look, and air.

Jane was very lucky in how she dealt with those around her. Another role model of a strong and independent woman at Lowood was the principal of the school, Miss Temple. Her beauty, her pink cheeks and golden curls, seemed to give delight to all whom looked at her, and to purchase indemnity for every fault. She was very kind to all of the students, especially Jane and Helen, and was a stark contrast to the cruel and hypocritical Mr. Possibly the presence of a father figure might have caused Jane to desire to please men, but no such figure existed: "Mr. Additionally, Jane’s keen understanding of injustice was perpetuated by a single-sex educational environment and by knowing Helen Burns. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex. In essence, for years, she ran the household without benefit of a male counterpart, as she was a widow. It is no wonder Jane was able to think herself above or equal to many men when all the men she had ever known were quite evil. Brocklehurst, and quite possibly, in the eyes of a ten year old, most men appear downright contemptible. Georgiana, who "had a spoiled temper, a very acrid spite, a captious and insolent carriage, was universally indulged. Brocklehurst had status, and it didn’t make them any better for it.

Approximate Word count = 1461
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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