Becoming Jane Eyre or Jane Rochester: Women Empowerment in Charlotte Brontë's Novel

Written by Sinta MK

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” -Jane Eyre

Something is deeply alluring in Jane’s relentless integrity. It is her declaration of love, mingled with her unshakable principles, that stands out among other literary heroines. If Charlotte Brontë allowed her protagonist to pursue a sole obsession over love, we might have never acknowledged this classical work by the same title. Had her romance worked ideally from the beginning, there would be no Jane Eyre — only Jane Rochester. And it doesn’t align with Jane’s perseverance, who fights for her faith.

A sincere love was scarce for young Jane to learn from. As she falls in love with the love of her life, Edward Rochester, she discovers that her boundaries are constantly challenged. Her master is notorious for being hard to read. People would never know whether he’s serious or jesting. When he is with Jane, he exhibits a rigid nature and maintains emotional distance. His instruction reads as absolute; before him, Jane finds herself loyal. One day, she realizes that Rochester’s love comes with chains. Regardless of how obstinate he presents his name to her, Jane has made up her mind to leave.

Rochester: “Jane, you understand what I want of you? Just this promise — ‘I will be yours, Mr. Rochester.’’

Jane: “Mr. Rochester, I will not be yours.”

When I first picked up the book as a child, I had little idea that its tale would resonate with me 12 years later. Despite being drawn to it, my younger self struggled to comprehend the early Modern English text written on it. Interestingly, I only started reading years later, as I found myself at the intersection of an adulthood crisis. I immediately admired Jane’s self-respect. Her words, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will,” symbolize resistance against anyone who tries to snatch her autonomy away. She doesn’t let someone hold her soul captive. Her refusal to live inside a birdcage still echoes today, reaching a dreamer like me. Her struggle reflects my journey within an imbalanced love, where self-government is sacrificed. This parallel renders Jane’s declaration even more meaningful to me. She is capable of voicing a silenced heart in a moment when one fears to express.

Jane Eyre conveys that women’s voices are as valuable as their souls. Mute them, and their spirits will slowly die. And Jane has proved to sacrifice her present happiness, Rochester, so she can continue to bloom. Like a caged bird, she longs for freedom to determine her own life. Her concern is rooted in the limited roles women served in society. In the era when Jane Eyre was written, social expectations dictated that the best contribution women could give was to become wives. But Jane argues, noting how every woman has their own devotion in life. Ultimately, she encourages women to surpass their own limitations.

Jane’s determination wasn’t there from the start. Her resilience was built during her childhood, raising her sense of self-appreciation. Her aunt didn’t treat her the way a caring mother would. Her cousins never showered her with affection, except for one person. When she was at Lowood, she was astonished by the school’s rigid system. She questioned her friend’s submissiveness under a harsh authority. Their conversations about morality were moving, where little Jane’s naivety meets Helen Burns’ maturity in viewing life.

Jane: ‘… But that teacher, Miss Scatcherd, is so cruel to you?’

Helen: ‘Cruel? Not at all! She is severe: she dislikes my faults.’

Jane: ‘And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her. If she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose.’

Helen: ‘Probably you would do nothing of the sort: but if you did, Mr. Brocklehurst would expel you from the school; that would be a great grief to your relations.’

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs…”

Jane taught me that a woman’s worth is too precious to be taken hostage. The moment when she walks away from Thornfield really touched me. Grief-stricken, she departs without cutting off her love for him. Her master still fails to love her fully, reciprocating Jane’s honesty with lies — secrets. Moreover, Rochester sees Jane’s determination as an obstacle instead of a value. Be as it may, both of them are equal companions intellectually and spiritually. When his moment of confession arrives, it can be argued that Rochester’s repentance is sincere at last. Deep down, he truly loved the young governess. We witness the Thornfield heir trample his ego to beg for her mercy. Nonetheless, the strong-willed woman refuses to remain in the safe zone. Even though he has offered his excuses — and Jane has forgiven him —she doesn’t accept the reconciliation immediately. There’s a price she has to pay for Rochester’s humility in the future: freeing herself, unrestrained by anyone’s shadow.

Upon her return to Thornfield, Jane has transformed into an empowered woman. Her wound has healed through her devotion as a teacher. She has also inherited his uncle’s wealth, granting her financial independence. And when she finally reunites with Rochester, she doesn’t carry grudges against him. Jane welcomes him with affection, even volunteering to keep assisting his ex-master. She refuses to complicate her life with marital obligations.

Jane: “I will think what you like, sir: I am content to be only your nurse, if you think it better.”

Rochester: “But you cannot always be my nurse, Janet: you are young — you must marry one day.”

“I don’t care about being married.”

Becoming a modern-day Jane means being determined enough to believe in our self-governance. She will always be my favorite feminist figure, who inspires me to hold on to love while standing my ground. It is not a grand stage or applause from society that Jane stands up for. It’s her valuing her own existence; that her life must have a purpose. She celebrates her independence and will continue voicing her opinions, not letting anyone silence her. Even when she knows, living in a cage sounds easier. Her commitment to love is a part of her integrity. Not to aim for validation, but because it is her character. Jane Eyre is a bird that manages to flap her wings. From her story, she teaches me how to fly, finding my way back home.