Throughout the course of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, Jane is used as a representation of a modern woman. Jane does many things which women of her time didn’t do. She started reading as a little girl. This was a talent that most women at the time didn’t acquire throughout their entire lives. She learned how to write, also. This, too, was a skill most women of that time did not possess. Perhaps the biggest reason why Jane is a modern woman is because she takes matters into her own hands. She is in complete control of her life and her destiny. Most women of that time were completely dependent on their husbands for everything.
Jane Eyre represents Charlotte Bronte’s idea of a modern woman because she can read, write, and she is independent. Initially, Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman because she was able to read. Most women of that time period were never schooled. Instead, they stayed home doing housework and depended on their husbands. Jane, on the other hand, was educated and therefore, she could read well. Jane is actually extremely modern because she started reading as a little girl in the Reeds’ house. For example, before she and John got into a fight, Jane sat down by the window and began reading.
I returned to my book–Bewick’s History of British Birds… quite as a blank. –10″ Another example of how Jane read as a child was when she read a book of Arabian tales after she got in a fight with Mrs. Reed. “I took a book–some Arabian tales; I sat down and endeavored to read. –40” This is one way Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman. Next, Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman because she can write. Most women of that time would spend their time sewing or housekeeping, but not Jane.
She learned how to write at school, and she wrote instead of sewing and housekeeping. For example, Jane uses her writing to better her life. She does this by writing an advertisement which states she’s a governess and she gets a new job at Thornfield. “With earliest day, I was up: I had my advertisement written, enclosed, and directed before the bell rang to rouse the school… nearer to my own age. –89″ Another example of Jane’s writing was when she was a student at Lowood. She explains that she was writing and figuring out sums on her slate before she dropped it.
One afternoon (I had then been three weeks at puzzling over a sum in long division,… they thus greeted. –64” This is another way Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane is her idea of a modern woman. Finally, Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman because she is independent. This is the main reason why Jane is a modern woman. Unlike other women, she’s not dependent on a man to provide for her. She provides for herself because she is a modern day working woman. Back then, it was almost impossible to find a working woman who wasn’t dependent on a man. For example, Jane hopes that Mrs.
Fairfax won’t be like Mrs. Reed, but then she reminds herself that she is an independent, modern woman and that she doesn’t have to stay. “I pray God Mrs. Fairfax may not turn out a second Mrs. Reed; but if she does, I am not bound to stay with her: let the worse come to the worst, I can advertise again. –97” Another example of how Jane is independent is how she applies for a new job. She’s not dependent on the school for shelter or food, and she can leave Lowood because of her independence. “Having sought and obtained an audience of the superintendent during the noontide recreation,… mention them as references. 92”
This is the main way Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman. Ultimately, Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman because she can read, write, and most importantly, she is independent. Jane did not like to follow the orthodox way of doing things. She chose to live her life her way, not the way women of her time traditionally did. She made her own path and didn’t let tradition or anything else stop her from being a modern woman. Charlotte Bronte shows that Jane represents her idea of a modern woman because she does things her way, not the way she is supposed to do things.
