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Jane Eyre Analytical Essay

In the book Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Jane changes dramatically throughout her lifein many ways. However, there is one way in which her personality does not waver. That is, her dependence. In Jane Eyre, there are many fluxes of character independence, but as the book nears its extremity, her stance as a dependent does not waver. To whom she is dependent of course changes, as there are not many constants in her life. In this essay, it will be proven thatJane Eyre's position of dependence is not dramatically altered.In the beginning of Bronte’s novel, Jane is dependent, almost pathetically so. She listensto anything and anybody. She does what others want her to do, says what others want her to say,she even thinks what others want her to think, and has almost no mind of her own. She letsothers beat on her, and crush any spirit she has. It's not all her faults. As a child she was pickedon by her elder cousin, and she never knew, or even thought of how to defend herself."Accustomed to John Reed's abuse, I never had an idea of replying to it: my care was how toendure the blow which would certainly follow the insult." Her aunt was unloving andunforgiving, prohibiting Jane from receiving the care she needed to develop a normal self consciousness. Even when Jane escaped the grip of her horrible kin, and is transferred to asupposedly pious institution, when she seeks aid Jane is cut off and shown she is a burden by Mr.Brockelhurst, her administrator at this institution and is unjustly and rudely shamed for simplyshowing a brief flash of independence and questioning authority. All of these cruelties hurt Jane'syounger self, offsetting Jane's lifelong struggle with independence.Towards the middle-end of the book is the only time when her situations demandindependence. In some of these instances, Jane rises to the occasion. In others, she unfortunatelydoes not. We see this shortly after the Eyre-Rochester nuptials are rudely interrupted. When Janefinds out about Bertha, the insane wife of Mr. Rochester (Jane’s first boss and life love, owner of Thornfield Manor) she could continue her dependence, but instead she takes a brief hiatus,showing a flash of autonomy. Jane flees Thornfield Manor, abandoning every worldly possession, excepting a few measly paraphernalia. She absconds, also leaving behind the onlyfriends, or even acquaintances, she has. "Drearily I wound my way downstairs: I knew what Ihad to do, and I did it mechanically... Through that [the gate] I departed: it, too, I shut; and now Iwas out of Thornfield (Where she first lives as a governess and meets Mr. Rochester).” Thisshows some independence, uncharacteristic of Jane. She breaks out of her shell, and unwillinglyrelies on her own intelligence, even if only to subsist.After this small bout of independence (which was solely for means of survival), Jane returns to