Bronte’s Novel Jane Eyre – Essay

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Bronte’s Jane Eyre has been described as “provocative” portrait of class conflict in a world of obligation and duty. To what extent does this perspective align with your understanding of Jane Eyre?

Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre explores themes that reflect society’s values within its Victorian context; such concerns include: social stratification, religion and independence. These factors influence a person’s perception of their own standing in society; class not only dictating financial wealth, but an individual’s values, morality and access to education. Bronte’s exploration positions audiences to question the influence and relevance of social stratification to an individual’s personal worth through Jane, whose class is ambiguous in a society preoccupied with status and yet, is depicted to be passionate, intelligent, and at times, autonomous. In a society where, social order is an obligation on which all facets of life are determined, the novel is provocative as it questions the obligations and duties imposed upon individual’s freedom. Bronte presents these ideals to be arbitrary and instead, the novel is written as a subtle criticism against those who adhere to the ideals of a society preoccupied with wealth and control.