Jane Eyre- Responsibilities

Question #8

                As a child, author Charlotte Bronte endured a difficult life. Two of her sisters died at a young age, and evidence illustrates that all was not well at home. (Melani) Despite these setbacks, Charlotte and two of her sisters grew into famous novelists and gained a good reputation that was unusual for women in those days. Jane Eyre is almost an autobiography of Charlotte’s life. Miss Bronte uses many details from her experiences to further the plot in her own story. The tragic deaths of her sisters and her brother’s demise into alcoholism served as the basis for important characters and events in the story. For instance, it is possible that Jane’s brother served as the model for Master John Reed.

                Although people like John Reed were cruel to Jane, she still returns to them with empathy and kindness. The lessons that Jane learned from Helen Burns dominate her personality as she struggles to reconcile with her relations. Ironically, Helen tells Jane, “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.” (page 34) When Jane returns to Mrs. Reed, she has all but forgotten how she had been treated, and longs only for reconciliation. However, Mrs. Reed has not forgotten her enmity toward Jane, and even holds onto her hatred on her dying bed. Charlotte Bronte understands that all humans owe each other compassion and forgiveness.

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print