Jane Eyre as an Unconventional or Untraditional Novel

Answer

In what sense is “Jane Eyre” an unconventional novel? Discuss.  [NU: 2016, 19]

Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) published Jane Eyre in 1847. The novel was unusual for Victorian times. It broke many traditions of love stories and moral lessons. It gave a new voice to women. Jane, an orphan, poor and plain, becomes the heroine. She values equality, independence, and self-respect. This makes the novel unconventional in theme, character, and spirit.

A Plain Heroine, Not a Beauty: Most Victorian novels showed heroines as beautiful ladies. But Charlotte Brontë makes Jane Eyre different. Jane is described as “plain, small, and poor.” She says,

“I am a free human being with an independent will.”

This shows her courage. She values her soul and mind, not her face. When Rochester tries to praise her beauty, Jane stops him. She tells him not to flatter her looks, but to see her true worth. At Gateshead, her cousins mock her plainness. At Lowood, her simple dress makes her different from rich girls. Yet Jane never gives up. She proves that inner truth is greater than outward beauty.

Even when St. John proposes, he does not love her soul. He values her duty only. Jane refuses him. She wants real love, not a cold life. So Brontë gives the world a new kind of heroine. A woman plain in body, but rich in spirit. This was very unusual in Victorian fiction.

Equality in Love:  In Victorian society, men were superior. Women were weak and dependent. But in Jane Eyre, love is based on equality. Rochester is rich and strong. Jane is poor and plain. Yet Jane says,

“I have as much soul as you,—and full as much heart!”

She demands equal respect. This was radical for its time. Brontë made love a partnership, not domination.

Focus on Inner Morality, Not Social Class: Victorian novels often valued wealth and class. But Brontë makes Jane’s moral strength more important. At Gateshead and Lowood, Jane is insulted for