What was the condition of women as you find in the novel “Jane Eyre?”

Answer

What was the condition of women as you find in the novel “Jane Eyre?” [NU: 2018, 21] ★★★

Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) in Jane Eyre (1847) gives a strong picture of the condition of women in Victorian England. Women were judged by wealth, beauty, and social status. They had very few rights. They were expected to obey men and marry for security. Most women had no freedom, no property, and no voice. Through Jane’s life, Brontë criticizes these unfair conditions. 

Lack of Social Power and Respect: In Victorian society, women were treated as weak and powerless. Jane’s childhood at Gateshead shows this clearly. Her aunt, Mrs. Reed, hates her because she is poor and dependent. Her cousin John Reed abuses her. He calls her “a dependent” and “a beggar.”  He beats her. Jane says,

“You are like a murderer—you are like a slave-driver—you are like the Roman emperors!”.

When Jane defends herself, she is locked in the Red Room as punishment. This shows that women, especially orphans, had no social power or protection. 

Dependence on Marriage for Status: Marriage was the only way for women to gain security. Women were expected to marry rich men, not for love but for wealth. Blanche Ingram, a rich lady, wants to marry Rochester. But her desire is based only on his money. She looks down on Jane, calling her a “governess”. Brontë shows how society forced women to think of marriage as a business, not love. Jane rejects this idea. She believes marriage must be based on equality and respect, not wealth or beauty.

Beauty Over Character: Most Victorian novels showed heroines as beautiful and charming. But Brontë makes Jane different. Jane is described as “plain, small, and poor.” Yet she is intelligent, moral, and independent. Rochester falls in love with her not for her beauty, but for her courage and truth. Rochester proposes,

“Jane, will you marry me?”

However, through Jane, Brontë shows that true worth lies in mind and spirit, not in