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... Literature of the Victorian period, including and specifically Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, illustrated a theme of the time period in which the centers of authority exist in the resources of the individual being, and not in the existing social order. ... Jane Eyre explores this theme of individual moral authority within Jane’s attitude towards equality and marriage with regards to Mr. ...
Although Jane and Rochester’s views on equality and marriage often concur, their concepts of married life differ greatly creating an inevitable rift that eventually seals itself by need and love. At first, Jane expects very little of Rochester; she only expects that which is due to her, her 30l. ... “ ‘Did you expect a present, Miss Eyre?’”(138), says Rochester, and Jane responds “ ‘I should be obliged to take time…but if I had to make out a case I should be puzzled, since I am a stranger and have done nothing to entitle me to an acknowledgment’”(138). Rochester mentions the topic of presents, for he has gruffly given one to Adele, yet this reveals Jane’s notions of equality. ... The book does indeed show that Rochester shares Jane’s attitude on equality, when he forgets she is a paid subordinate. ... Rochester reverts to mention of Jane’s salary in order to induce her to accept his unorthodox mannerisms, yet Jane refuses on the grounds of finance; she insists that she will agree on the grounds of equality, and Rochester does not scoff at her preconceptions of equality, from her class of former dependant, to his class of rich and independent.
Both Jane and Rochester believe that the basis of marriage is love; in this they are both romantics, yet fit for each other. Jane prepares to flee from Rochester thinking that she will be lost as dust among the wind when Rochester marries Miss Ingram, and she pronounces her passion to Rochester, “ ‘Do you think I can become nothing to you…Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? ... This Jane declares, not realizing that Rochester never intended to marry Miss Ingram, yet it shows her belief that the basis of marriage is love, for in this declaration she seeks love. ... Jane, will you marry me? ... Rochester realizes his belief about marriage, that love and equality are the sole basis of this union, and the echo of Jane’s beliefs is complete, at first.
Approximate Word count = 1918
Approximate Pages = 7.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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