Written by Jennica Lode
The characterization in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is apparent through a few select quotes thoughout the novel.
“...dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddened by the chidings of Bessie, the nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John, and Georgiana Reed” (Brontё 215).
Jane acknowledges and accepts that her status is below that of the Reeds’. Not only is Jane frail-looking for a ten-year-old girl, but she also has a plain appearance, making her physically inferior to her adoptive siblings. Jane describes how “dreadful” coming home is, with negative connotative words such as “raw”, “nipped”, “saddened”, and “inferiority” (Brontё 215).Though the thought of home is meant to be soothing and consoling to think about, Jane views it as the complete opposite. She does not feel at place at home, leaving Jane with little to be joyful about. Jane’s dread of coming home is not healthy for a ten-year-old girl to be stressing over. Every child needs a consistent comfort in his or her life, and that is usually his or her friends, or home and family members. Jane’s excess anxiety can escalate and lead to mental health problems in the future.
“‘...she really must exclude me from privileges intended for contented, happy little children’” (Brontё 215).
Even though she is but a child, Jane is depressed and unsatisfied at Gateshead. This leads her family to exclude her from these bonding activities, which makes her even more isolated and lonely than she already is.
Jane’s family has no intention of treating Jane like an actual family member; they do not care for her, and do not wish to bond with her over their family activities. These activities must be reserved for family members only, and Jane is not a ‘real’ member of the family.
“‘Jane, I don’t like cavillers or questioners…” (Brontё 215).
Jane is a curious and inquisitive girl, which are natural traits for a ten-year-old to have. This also reflects Jane’s love of knowledge, meaning that Jane will grow up to be a reasonable and intelligent young woman. Jane’s curiosity could create a passion for reading, learning, and school. These interests can offer Jane a distraction from her oppressive life in Gateshead. Such interests are necessary to maintain Jane’s overall mental health, which is already at risk due to the ill-mannered way she is treated on a daily basis.
“‘Be seated somewhere; and until you can speak pleasantly, remain silent.’ A small breakfast-room adjoined the drawing room, I slipped in there… I soon possessed myself of a volume, taking care that it should be one stored with pictures” (Brontё 215).
When Jane is ordered to leave on the command of Mrs. Reed, she does so without hesitation. Jane must be indifferent of the Reed family’s company, for she is not treated well with them as it is. Staying out of their company could very well be the preferred option for Jane. Jane is quick to enter the drawing room and select a book, displaying her passion for reading and thirst for knowledge. These traits can aid in her success as she grows older; one day, her intelligence will surely get her far in life, and far away from Gateshead.
Jane obeys without protest, because she knows she will not win. Jane accepts her inferiority, and does not debate with Mrs. Reed, despite the oppressive way she is being treated.
“With Bewick on my knee, I was then happy: happy at least in my way. I feared nothing but interruption, and that came too soon” (Brontё 216).
Jane finds a special solace with her books, and a much needed distraction from her brutal life. A child’s mind cannot solely be occupied with depression and fear. Reading opens up new worlds, thoughts, and ideas for Jane to busy her mind with.
“‘It is well I drew the curtain,’ thought I, and I wished fervently he might not discover my hiding-place…” (Brontё 216).
Jane hides from her family when she is called. She does not trust them with her safety, so she hides in attempt to remain unharmed. This noxious fear of her family is destructive to her health, and leads to her development as an introvert who can only depend on herself.
“‘What were you doing behind the curtain?’ he asked. ‘I was reading.’ ‘Show the book.’ I returned to the window and fetched it thence” (Brontё 217).
Jane is quick to obey John, and does not want to do anything to supply him with a reason to hit her. Jane is too easy to take advantage of, as she never stands up for herself, which makes her an easy target for such an abusive person like John.
“‘Wicked and cruel boy!’ I said. ‘You are like a murderer - you are a slave-driver - you are like the Roman emperors!’” (Brontё 218).
This is the first change in Jane’s character; Instead of letting herself be abused by John, she stands her ground, and throws the insult at him. This is the first time in the novel that Jane acts against the injustice she is put through everyday at Gateshead.
“I felt an inexpressible relief, a soothing conviction of protection and security, when I knew there was a stranger in the room, an individual not belonging to Gateshead, and not related to Mrs Reed” (Brontё 219).
Jane is bedridden due to her scarring experience in the red-room.
“To speak truth, I had not the least wish to go into company, for in company I was very rarely noticed” (Brontё 230).
Jane has adapted to the way she is treated at Gateshead, and in her heart, accepts it. She does not fight for attention, or for the pleasures John, Eliza, and Georgiana joyfully indulge in when Christmas and the New Year season comes around.
“Ere I finished this reply, my soul beginning to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt. It seemed as if an invisible bond had burst, and that I had struggled out into unhoped for liberty” (Brontё 236).
The hope that she may be free one day does not exist for Jane; she simply accepts the fact that her life is bound to be full of injustice and hatred until she becomes old enough to live by herself. It is not until the headmaster of the new school Jane will be attending arrives that Jane’s tolerance is pushed past its limit. The lies Mrs Reed supplies the headmaster with prompt Jane to stand up to Mrs. Reed, calling her out for her wicked behaviour. Jane promises to reveal to the world how awful Mrs. Reed really is. This is a change of Jane’s character, because, even though she has previously stood her ground against John, she had never gone so far as to talk back to and threaten Mrs. Reed. This taste of justice makes Jane feel as if she has separated from Mrs. Reed, and the power she has over Jane snaps. Jane no longer feels as if she is controlled by her; for the first time in the novel, Jane feels the power she has over Mrs. Reed, giving her a sense of freedom.
“‘I don’t think I shall ever be afraid of you again, Bessie, because I have got used to you; and I shall soon have another set of people to dread’” (Brontё 238).
When Bessie tells Jane that she is nothing to be afraid of, and that her scoldings do not reflect how fond she is of Jane, Jane assures her that she would no longer fear her, as she has bigger problems to worry about. Jane is nervous for her first day of school, and is already anticipating the worst. She has no hopes that she will come to love school, and meet new people who will treat her with kindness. The idea that the life ahead of her can be any different from her old one is an odd thought for Jane, considering that she had been raised ill-mannered. Jane is not one to hope. After living with the Reeds for ten years, the concept of hope must be a silly dream to Jane, because hoping she would not be hit, or yelled at, or punished never prevents the harm that always comes her way.
“I had risen half an hour before her entrance, and had washed my face, and put on my clothes by the light of the half-moon just setting, whose rays streamed through the narrow window near my crib” (Brontё 239).
When Bessie comes to escort Jane to the coach, Jane is already up and ready to go; she had woken up early in anticipation for the adventure ahead of her. For the first time in a long time, Jane has something exciting to look froward to, which is a feeling Jane is not very familiar with. Jane’s anticipation reflects her adventurous spirit, which is yet another change in her character. Initially, Jane follows the routine of her everyday life, allowing herself to be knocked down by the Reed family, and obediently following any orders that are given to her. Now, Jane is excitedly getting ready to change this consistent, limiting lifestyle with a positive attitude, what with waking up so early to get ready.
Jennica Lode is an American writer who is doing her undergrad at Penn State. At 18 years old, she hopes to share her POV with others through her writing.
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