Discussing the theme of family in Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre”
Throughout ‘Jane Eyre’, Jane desires a real family and sense of belonging. As an abused orphan, she’s denied a real family in her childhood and the novel develops into a Bildungsroman as it follows her emotional maturation into adulthood when she is finally able to experience a true family. Along the way, Jane often faces the dilemma of being part of a family compromising her independence and integrity. She experiences changes in her family situation and the effects, both positive and negative, are clearly evident.
While at Gateshead, Jane receives no care or affection from the Reeds and is in fact alienated by them. We’re told her cousins were ‘clustered round their mama in the drawing-room’ and Mrs Reed ‘looked perfectly happy’. This creates a superficial image of an ideal, intimate family but, of course, Jane is not part of it. Instead, she’s ‘dispensed’ from the group; the cold, calculated word makes it clear she is alienated by them.
Not only is Jane deprived of affection, she’s subjected to victimisation by John Reed. He refers to her as ‘bad animal’, which is harsh and dehumanising, suggesting he doesn’t think she’s even worthy to be considered a real human. His physical violence towards her in throwing the book represents him asserting authority over her, cruelly commenting; ‘you are a dependant… you ought to beg, and not live here’. As the only male of the family, he is viewed as the head of the house and clearly sees himself as being superior, showing no empathy towards Jane. His comment evokes sympathy as it’s clearly unfair and cruel to Jane. Our sense of injustice is heightened further when Jane is blamed; ‘What a fury to fly at Master John!’ Brontë’s use of dramatic irony means we sympathise with Jane and dislike the Reeds for her mistreatment. They proceed to lock her in the ‘red-room’, emphasising her isolation and the way she’s ostracised and excluded from the family.
Due to spending her childhood as an unloved orphan, Jane becomes almost obsessed with finding a family who will value her. At Lowood, she says ‘to gain some real affection’, ‘I will willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken’. This seemingly hyperbolic comment aims to convey her desperate need for affection. Once at Thornfield, Jane forms a relationship with Mr Rochester which results in him proposing to her. He becomes more of a kindred spirit than her biological family ever were and their proposed marriage could connote the epitome of belonging and unity. Marriage is seen as central to a real family life and the attainment of this has a clear effect on Jane’s demeanour and self-confidence. Now when looking in the mirror she feels she’s ‘no longer plain’. This gives the impression that Rochester has made her feel valued and given her a sense of self-worth.
However, Jane learns that having a close family may compromise her independence, which is something she values very much. Before the wedding, Rochester says; ‘I will myself put the diamond chain around your neck.’ This image could give a sense of possession and suggest he wants to claim and own her. It becomes apparent that their marriage would be unequal and Jane rejects this idea despite it being the typical situation in the Victorian era; it was expected of the wife to be submissive to her husband. Jane also does not allow Rochester to buy her extravagant gifts; ‘don’t send for jewels, and don’t crown me with roses’ as she feels it is not who she is; ‘I shall not be your Jane Eyre… but an ape in a harlequin’s jacket.’ Many things prevent Jane’s relationship with Rochester being like the family she wants; ‘this romantic alliance is thwarted not only by the existence of the first Mrs Rochester, but also by the social gulf between the protagonists: a governess’s social status was, after all, one of only slightly elevated servitude’[1] Rochester’s existing marriage to Bertha means that going ahead with the marriage would make Jane his mistress and thus she refuses. As a result, she questions whether she wants this family if it means she has to compromise her integrity and independence, therefore her struggle between being part of a family and autonomy is dramatised.
After leaving Thornfield, Jane is at her most isolated therefore her discovery of the Rivers is more significant. After her ordeal as an indigent wanderer on the moors, she realises the importance of a family and a place to belong. The use of this coincidence in her discovery of the Rivers could give a sense of something supernatural or a lack of control over her family. Coincidence was often used in Victorian literature and it could be seen as a reward for her goodness and honesty so far in life. It’s almost as if fate has brought her to them as she has an innate bond with the family even before she knows they’re related; ‘when I knew them as mere strangers, they had inspired me with genuine affection and admiration.’
At Moorhouse Jane also discovers her inheritance but cares more about finding her family, describing it as ‘wealth to the heart!’ Wealth connotes a sense of fulfilment, emphasising her appreciation at now having a family and she considers this more of a fortune and more valuable than the actual money. Despite the discovery of the Rivers being positive for Jane, St John is often described with images of coldness and hardness; ‘Had he been a statue instead of a man he could not have been easier’. He contrasts with Rochester’s imagery of fire and passion. St John’s proposal embodies the opposite of what Jane wants as he symbolises sacrifice. She rejects the typical relationship of a submissive woman that St John offers; ‘his wife. Oh! It would never do!’ She finds it easier to accept him as a cousin than as a potential husband and feels she would be giving up part of herself if they married; ‘I should have my unblighted self to turn to: my natural unenslaved feelings.’ As his wife she feels she would be ‘restrained’; this could suggest that she feels she’d be forced to give up her independence and be completely obedient to him, highlighting him as a symbol of sacrifice. Therefore, her time at Moorhouse is almost the opposite of Thornfield as she enjoys work and independence but lacks emotional connection from St John.
It’s only after Jane achieves financial and emotional autonomy that she can return to Rochester and marry him. With her own money she feels she can be with Rochester without feeling financially dependent on him, therefore their relationship can be more equal. The direct address of ‘Reader, I married him’ conveys intimacy with the reader so we’re aware of her true feelings. She describes herself as ‘bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh’. As part of an extended metaphor, this image conveys their unity and togetherness. She also ‘knows no weariness’ of ‘Edward’s society’, this is especially significant since she grew up without any love or affection. She now has what she desired from a family and they’re completely happy together. In fact, Rochester is reliant on her due to his blindness; therefore their relationship could be seen as quite radical in relation to Victorian gender politics. They have a child together and even Rochester’s sight partially returns, making the ending idyllic even though it is not necessarily conventional.
Overall, Jane desire closeness with a family but also values independence and therefore must find a balance between the two. Although she desires autonomy, it is often only once she achieves this that she realises the need for the support of a family. Her experiences of having, and lacking, a true family and its effects are used to explore the importance of family.
