Introduction
The novel “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë depicts a society heavily impacted by class, race, and gender. The main characters, Jane and Rochester, are both products of this class- and race-conscious society, where personal freedom is influenced by financial stability. Although the book is sometimes cited as a defense of the insignificance of riches, Rochester and Jane are restricted by their social standing. This study will examine the limitations imposed on Jane and Rochester by their separate social classes, genders, and races. It will also examine whether the fact that Jane marries the affluent, landed Rochester, and receives an inheritance of her own undermines the novel’s claim that wealth is irrelevant.
Social Class and Norms
Jane’s social class restricts her personality, especially during her formative years as a nanny. Jane’s interactions with her aunt—notably Mrs. Reed, who frequently draws attention to Jane’s subordinate situation—make evident her lack of status and rank (Brontë 7). In her essay “Jane Eyre’s Fall From Grace,” Susan Fraiman (92) makes the case that Jane’s status as a governess enforces the social norms that applied to women at the time. For a woman of modest means, Jane’s position as a governess was considered respectable; however, it also meant that she had no agency and was at the mercy of her employers.
Jane’s relationship with Mr. Rochester makes her job as a governess even more precarious. As Fraiman (100) points out, Jane’s yearning for Rochester threatens the era’s social structure. Because Rochester is Jane’s employer and has a far better social standing than Jane, their connection violates social conventions. The fact that Jane is a governess puts her at risk of being taken advantage of by her employer, and her passion for Rochester further worsens this risk.
Rochester’s Social Constraints
Mr. Rochester, on the other hand, is restricted by his riches and position. Rochester is a wealthy landowner, yet he is nonetheless bound by the standards and requirements of his society. The fact that Jane is a governess and thus of a lesser social status complicates his desire to marry her (Brontë 160). Ultimately, Rochester’s attempts to overcome this obstacle, including proposing that Jane become his mistress, prove unsuccessful.
Fraiman (95) points out that his society’s expectations ultimately prevent Rochester from fulfilling his wish to love Jane. However, the fact that Jane eventually marries Rochester and receives her wealth raises concerns about the novel’s thesis regarding the meaninglessness of wealth (Brontë 510). Although Jane’s fortune and subsequent marriage to Rochester give her financial security and personal independence, they also support the notion that wealth and position play a significant role in deciding one’s destiny.
Gender Restrictions on Jane
The societal expectations put on Jane as a woman are one way her gender restricts her. Susan Fraiman (90) contends in her essay “Jane Eyre’s Fall From Grace” that Jane’s defiance of social conventions is only feasible because she complies with other standards of womanhood. For instance, the fact that Jane is described as having a simple physical appearance makes her a viable candidate for governess roles (Brontë 23).
Furthermore, Jane embodies the decency and self-control society expects of virtuous women. Eventually, Jane’s compliance with some gender standards enables her to defy others, as seen in her choice to leave Rochester after learning of his secret (Brontë 252). Despite her opposition to societal expectations, Jane finally marries Rochester, a wealthy, landed gentry who upholds conventional ideas about gender and class.
Rochester’s Control and Dependence
Rochester can, thanks to his wealth and position of authority, control how their relationship is portrayed and set the parameters of their marriage. He is similarly limited by his social standing as a wealthy, landed man. While his riches give him advantages like the ability to employ Jane as a governess, they also impose limitations on him. Fraiman (110) believes that Rochester’s position and money make him dependent on Jane for a feeling of self-worth.
His attempts to control Jane, such as his early attempts to shape her into his ideal woman and his later attempts to keep her by his side even after revealing his secret, highlight his dependence on her. Furthermore, Rochester’s wealth reinforces societal views on class and reinforces the idea that those with wealth and privilege are entitled to certain privileges and are seen as more desirable partners (Fraiman 110). Rochester’s eventual marriage to Jane, while not entirely conformist, is still constrained by societal views on class and wealth.
Conclusion
Both Jane and Rochester are bound by their social situations, with Rochester’s riches and prestige making it impossible for him to act on his aspirations. At the same time, Jane’s position as a governess highlights the limits of women at this time. The fact that Jane eventually marries Rochester and receives her inheritance casts doubt on the novel’s claim that wealth is irrelevant because it demonstrates that position and fortune have tangible effects on the characters. Overall, while “Jane Eyre” does argue for the importance of personal freedom and agency, it also highlights the limitations of these ideals within a class-conscious, race-conscious society.
Works Cited
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Downey and Company, Limited, 1898.
Fraiman, Susan. “4. Jane Eyre’s Fall From Grace.” Unbecoming Women, Columbia UP. 1993, pp. 88–120. Web.