The Complexities of Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is a stubborn woman who says what she means and has no regrets. In her book of the same name by Charlotte Bronte, Jane often confuses the reader and infuriates them with her frank decisions and remarks. When she was a child, she lost both of her parents to an illness and was forced to live with her aunt. This aunt, Mrs. Reed, never really cared for Jane and punished her when any opportunity arose. In response, little Jane would loudly voice her hate for Mrs. Reed and cause her grief. As a reader, this is a little too extreme to witness a small child with such fury. Her aunt fed and protected her, but she didn't gain Jane's love or respect. In fact, she had a tendency to be cruel and ignore Jane. She once locked her in a dark room and paid no attention to Jane's frightened screams. Mrs. Reed regularly neglected Jane and greatly favored her own biological children to her.

Later on in life, when Jane was eighteen years old and had long since left the house, she returned to Mrs. Reed. Her aunt was dying and wished to see Jane one last time. Jane left her current residence immediately to see her aunt. At this point, the reader must once again question the protagonist's decision. Jane is returning to a house in which she was not welcomed. The woman she wishes to visit once cruelly neglected her as a parentless child, yet Jane saw it fit to see her again. Even after Mrs. Reed had sent her off to an orphanage that hardly fed its occupants, Jane wished to pay a visit to her. This action speaks volumes about Jane, as it exemplifies her generosity and devotion to duty as well as an overwhelming ability to forgive.

After leaving the orphanage, Jane became a governess for a wealthy man's daughter. Upon meeting her employer, she was asked after a series of questions if she felt he was handsome. In an instant of pure honesty, Jane replied with a no. She felt his features were too defined and harped to her friends that he was, in fact, ugly. However, Jane fell in love with this man, Mr. Rochester. After many months passed as she served as his daughter's governess, she was the first to tell him that she loved him. She was so bold and so passionate that the reader had no choice but to admire her. Here was Jane, a poor governess with virtually no money, professing her love to her rich and powerful employer. The sincerity of her words touches the reader's heartstrings and creates a blissful moment when Mr. Rochester reiterated his feelings towards her.

Mr. Rochester and Jane were soon engaged to be married. When the happy day came, they were prepared to live a long and happy life together, but soon, the tables turned. A secret from Mr. Rochester's past was revealed and Jane felt she could not marry this man. Stricken with grief, Jane leaves Mr. Rochester and embarks on a journey. The reader can't help but hope Jane will once again return to Mr. Rochester. She's in love with him still but denies her feelings. Knowing this only agitates the reader while, at the same time, it's easy to understand why she left him.

Jane Eyre is indeed a complicated character. Just when the reader feels comfortable with the way she's living her life, something drastic occurs. Many times, Jane's decisions and reactions are confusing to the reader. A love/hate relationship develops between this character and the reader, as it's sometimes hard to understand her motives. However, this is essentially what keeps the reader engaged throughout this novel. Jane Eyre is such a complex character and so life-like that it's hard not to stick with her to the end, rooting for her all the way.