Jane Eyre’s
first person narrative allows the narrator to emit explicit opinions and judgements
about women’s concerns. For example, in chapter XII, the auto diegetic narrator, clearly
advocates that women have the same intellectual needs as their consorts. In addition,
the spiritual journey the protagonist undertakes, from poverty to economic
independence, confirms this idea.
Although the novel depicts some
female Victorian stereotypes-Helen Burns, as the self-sacrificing character and Blanche
Ingram as the typical upper- class seductress, the role of Jane refutes the idea of the
submissive Victorian woman. In fact, in the novel, the binary oppositions male/female
and active/passive are subtly inverted. Hence, even though, Rochester holds positions of
authority and influence, Jane, by being Rochester’s spiritual guide and
adviser, upholds power and control. Furthermore, the narrative voice rejects the idea of
a male norm of thinking and behaviour as, for instance, when Jane refuses to become
Rochester’s mistress and chooses to undertake another path. Afterwards, she shows she is
able to survive alone against a hostile world, and the happy ending happens because she
finally has achieved her journey: she has become Rochester’s social and economic
equal.
Conclusively, being a governess novel,
Jane Eyre is of particular interest to women.
Additionally, Jane Eyre’s transcendental journey demonstrates that a female character
can succeed by showing courage and perseverance and by displaying an independent
attitude in relation to the male characters.
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