How does
the ambiguity of Jane Eyre's social class affect her life and overall behavior
(as both an adopted child and as a governess)? Where are issues of social class/status in
these chapters? What is revealed by different characters' reactions to
these class issues?
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ReplyDeleteJane's social class definitely defines her role in life while she is living at Gateshead and also at Lowood Institution. In the opening scenes, we see her struggling with her position in the family as she describes herself as "humbled by the consciousness of [her] physical inferiority to Eliza, John, and Georgiana Reed." At the same time, she is socially lower than the other family members due to the fact that when her parents died, they did not give her any money to live with. Also, because Mr. Reed (the one who wanted to take her in) is dead, the others view her as a leech on their home and money. They even venture to comment on her as if she ought to be working as a slave and, because she doesn't, she is ungrateful.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in a negative environment such as this causes her to be unsure of herself when she is in Lowood. The entire beginning of this setting is filled with Jane's views on what is happening - with little to no verbal communication. This is especially brought to light when Mr. Brocklehurst, relying on Mrs. Reed's claims, publicly shames Jane for being a liar and a sinner. However, her relationship with Helen and Miss Temple is what allows her to break away from that stigma and be the real girl that she is, without others' opinions.
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ReplyDeleteDuring this time period, the topic of social class held great importance to the society. Jane being an adopted child and a governess later on is left between classes. Her interactions are not limited to specific people she interacts with basically anyone from servants to aristocrats, you name it. Jane not having the liberty of being independent at times leads her into being considered lower than the servants. Basically anyone can boss her around and she can't do anything about it at the beginning. One instance where this issue is seen when John says "You have no business to take our books; you are a dependent, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg, and not to live here with gentlemen's children like us." The Reeds think very lowly of her because she has nothing she is basically a burden to them, even the servants are not thought of this lowly. There is a lot revealed by different character,s reactions to these issues such as of Miss Temple's. Even though she doesn't think of the children at Lowood as holding no social class, she still thinks of them as a charitable cause and does everything in her power to make them feel safe and secure even though other teachers don't think the same. Ms.Scatcherd on the other hand does everything in her power to keep reminding the children of their status especially Helen Burns. She keeps reminding her she holds more power above her because of her social class.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Jane has always been poor, and treated as such, she's been able to view a higher social class from the outside looking in. For example, while living at Gateshead, Jane was a part of a wealthy family. Although the Reed's experienced a life of luxury, Jane was still haunted by the fact that she was an orphan and edured mistreatment and neglect from the members of the Reed family. Because of the difference in social classes, Jane is constantly viewed as an outsider toward each one.
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