Jane Eyre Essay - Rough Draft

Jane Eyre – Feminist Approach

“I am an independent woman now.” Jane Eyre is unlike most women of her time period. Living in a society where women were considered weak, Jane Eyre’s personality was looked down upon in most people’s eyes. She was strong willed and independent. She did not want to be the perfect woman everyone wanted her to be. I admire Jane because of her ability to go against society’s feelings about women. She showed them that she could make it on her own and get a good education. She did go through difficulties on the way, but everything turned out fine for her in the end. Most of Jane's struggles throughout the book were caused by the constant expectations that people had of her, especially because she was a woman.

Jane was able to accomplish many things in her life because of her independent, hardworking nature. Ever since she was a child, she was destined to do great things with her life. She was able to survive her childhood as an orphan, where her only family was abusive and hurtful to her. Afterwards, she suffered through a strict boarding school, where she became well educated enough to become a teacher. She was able to get a new job as a governess for a young girl. She married Mr. Rochester, a man who made her undeniably happy, and became a strong-willed, hardworking wife for him. Despite her hard life, she accomplished many things and became a wealthy woman, without having to give up what she believed in.

Jane had to live in a society where women were not respected as much as they are today. She went against society by believing her own thoughts about women. She believed that they should be strong-willed and independent, so she acted in that manner. Throughout her life, Jane works hard because she knows that she can make it on her own and live a happy life. Despite societies thought about her, she refuses to give in to other people who feel that they are better than her. “No, sir; I am an independent woman now.” (Bronte 366). She plainly tells Mr. Rochester that she is able to make it on her own. Even though she decides to stay with him, she wants to make it clear that she could live a happy life if she were to live alone. She fought her whole life to go against what society felt about women.

Throughout her life, Jane went against the way people thought of her. She was defiant against anyone who tried to control or change her. She believed she could make it by on her own without the help of anyone else. Her hardworking nature helped her greatly throughout her life and allowed her to achieve her goals. Even after marrying Mr. Rochester, she wanted to work. The average woman of the time was a pretty, dolled up woman who stayed quiet and obedient to their husbands. Jane was nothing like that and she seemed proud of it. Many women could see her as a good role model because of her strong-willed and hardworking nature. “I am a free human being with an independent will.” Jane is asserting that she is no different than any other human. She saw people equally, men and woman alike, and many people today would admire her for it.

Jane Eyre lived a long and successful life because she fought for what she believed in. She never let anyone phase her judgment of things and she never had to become the submissive wife everyone thought she would be. Because of her personality about things, she made it through her life despite the struggles she went through. Society believed women were weak and did not respect them, but Jane knew that everyone was equal, and she deserves to be admired for that. She explains indirectly that just because people have expectations of you, that does not mean you have to change yourself to meet those expectations. As long as you be yourself and work hard in life, you will be successful in your goals.