Jane Eyre"s character analysis Abstract : The novel Jane Eyre molded the leading lady , Jane Eyre who is a self-respected , independent woman with strong rebellious spirit and passionate pursuit for love.This article analyzes Jane Eyre"s character from Jane"s different age .
摘 要：小说《简爱》塑造了一个自尊、自力、自强、叛逆、具有反抗精神、感情炽烈的女性形象，本文从简爱不同的年龄阶段入手，从行为，思想方面对简爱的性格特点进行了分析。
Key Words : self-respected;independent;rebellious;spirit;freedom and equality
关键词：自强自尊；反抗精神；自由平等
作者简介：张秀文，女，1979年7月生，甘肃武威人，武威职业学院教师。研究方向： 英国文学。
[中图分类号]：I06 [文献标识码]：A
[文章编号]：1002-2139(2012)-06-0070-02
Part 1 : Introduction
The novel “Jane Eyre “ was written in 1847 . In 30"s and 40"s of 19th century , the contradictory of capitalism was very acute , in fact , Jane Eyre"s story is the production of historical society--- a common woman who was in lower position and suffered social depression ,but wanted the ambition and requirement of freedom and equality , whose fate convey the strongest sound of remonstration to pursue economic and social rights at that moment .
In British literature , Jane Eyre is a new woman image .Contrasting with many woman characters in contemporary novels, Jane Eyre is not a beauty or a girl with noble background, and she is very common in appearance . As we know, in the 30"s-40"s of 19th century ,wealth and family status are the basis of marriage and social status, she eventually achieved happiness from love with Rochester after lots of sufferings, it is not because she is lucky ---- most reasons are owing to her typical and personal character and rich spiritual world .
Part 2 : character analysis
Jane"s character varied and was shown colorfully from her different experiences in difficult life period .
2.1、Character during childhood.
Jane spent an unhappy childhood , Firstly , she entered Gateshead Hall as a poor orphan , then she was treated very badly by Mrs. Reed and cousin , frequently she was blamed , hit or placed in confinement . As a child , she always gazes at their behavior and words with serious eyesight , she is full of hatred to their treatment and bully . So , we can say that Jane owns acute discernment , which beyond her age to see through old generation"s evil motives , so the rebellious spirit was shown in her earlier life ---and actually such character run through her whole life in the novel . In addition to author"s vivid depiction , the rebellious spirit , the pursuit on freedom and independence was created clearly at the beginning of the novel . Meanwhile , the agony of childhood brings about her strong eagerness of love and warmth of life , and it paved for the development of her character .
2.2、Character during puberty.
In the boarding school , Lewood , where Jane became mature and grew into an adult , and also she experienced her uncommon puberty there , she always suffered hunger and was frequently given unfair punishment . The living condition was as poor as the description in the novel : “… the water was frozen… but I still felt hungry , as the quality was so small…” Even if she was so unfortunate , using the eyesight as arrow , the little girl was judging evil activities in Lewood , especially she despised the greedy , hypocritical headmaster Brocklehurst who makes a living on maltreating children .
In Lewood school , Jane got acquainted with two people who influenced her greatly . One is Helen who believes in Christian faithfully .Helen"s mind is full of virtue , kindness , tolerance and bearing, she adhered to that reverend tolerance could take her into the highest , furthest spiritual world . She said : “ Anyway , the bible tells us to do good even people hurt us ,Sometimes you have to put up with hard things in life …” Jane had tried to follow her but she failed , she couldn"t follow her purely “spiritual persuade “--- it just shows Jane"s rebellious character which pursues equality , freedom . independence and human dignity . Therefore , contrasted with Helen"s character , Jane"s acute and rebellious character was shown completely . The other people was the teacher , Miss Temple , from whom Jane really got care and happiness she had never before .Temple"s influence made Jane believed that loving others is a kind of virtue , and she also learnt how to love and care others , how to be independent by studying hard . On the other hand , Temple also made Jane confident and courageous , when she was misunderstood by Brokehurst , and was announced by Temple she was not lying , Jane believed : “ From that moment , I felt I was accepted , and set to work to learn as much as I could , and make as many friends as possible “. And then , when she decided to leave Lewood , she thought “ I decided it was the moment for me to change my life too…Suddenly , I wanted freedom …” In another saying , that is the moment Jane"s life was changed into anew period.
2.3、Character during adult.
With the entering of Thornfild , Jane involved into the love story with Rochester , there she practiced her strong self-respected and rebellious character and slowly became mature , when she firstly appeared in Thirnfield , her attitude is restrained and protective .She didn"t expose her true feeling and was afraid it would be hurt . Wherever or whenever she was , she prepared for being attacked by others .Rochester is the victim of the family"s benefits . Although his social status is far from Jane"s , he had same view with Jane towards the society . If we want to analyze Jane"s activities in Thornfield , we have to inevitably mention a ball held a ball held in Thornfied . The ball is not only a climax of the novel but the cream of the whole novel . It reflected Jane"s strength of moral quality and spirit , which take readers into a spiritual world . And also , Jane didn"t fell self-abased , she was self-confident and independent in spirit , she was dissatisfied with such arranged social disciplines because had strong rebellious spirit in her character .
When they got ready for getting married , a mad woman appearance would make Jane go back her original position to become Rochester"s mistress who couldn"t be admitted by society . As she said :” you ‘ll remind yourself : ‘ That man nearly made me mistress….. I must be ice-cold to him “ , therefore , we could find that her self-respected and rebellious character made her persistence . She would rather escape and even become a beggar and nearly be starved to death inside the road than accept defective love ,she tried her best to protect her self ?esteem and person moral , there her rebellious character was molded more clearly.
In the ending of the novel , confronting the choice between Rochester and John , Jane chose true love determinedly . The author arranged such an ending : the original poor tutor got inheritance , whereas wealthy master became a blind man without anything , however , Jane still went back lover"s side .
Part 3 : conclusion
Anyway ,we could feel such an image of a woman with strong self-esteem , independence and rebellious character from the story or the orphan"s life . on one hand , Jane"s character has its representative meaning , she represented British women who wanted freedom and equality in lower social position in 30th-40th of 19th century, she also represented rebellion to social injustice at that time .
Bibliography：
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[3]、杜宗义 1987 《 新编外国文学教程》 中国人民大学出版社
[4]、温祖荫 1981 《欧美文学民作介绍与欣赏》 福建教育出版社