Love comes along with many emotions related to a sense of strong affection and attachment. Love is an emotional need that even Jane, from Charlotte Bronte’s book Jane Eyre, can’t ignore. Throughout the story line, Jane is searching to find love. She was looking, not just for the love of a man, but for the love of a family but Jane’s search for love sometimes ends up challenging her independence. Jane’s independence is related to autonomy which is seen throughout the story and is often used as the center for determining moral responsibility for one’s actions.
While Jane is wishing for love, she is not willing to give up her ndependence for it. When Jane becomes older and her independence grows, she realizes that, while she needs to be independent, she also wants love in her life. Jane is trying to figure out a way to balance love, and also find a way to keep her independence. In the early years of Jane’s life, she was an orphan depending on her aunt for support.
According to Aubrey L Mishou, the evolutionary tract of Jane Eyre is itself broken into three escalating segments, represented by three separate domestic spheres that themselves function as scientific case studies in Bronte’s narrative. The introduction of evolutionary heory and the presentation of the prime specimen to be analyzed takes place at Gateshead Hall, home to the Reed family. Jane grew up with her aunt Mrs. Reed, along with her 3 cousins. Jane never was shown any affection by any of the Reed family members; they all hated her.
“Mrs. Reed regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance; but that until she heard from Bessie and could discover by her own observation that I was endeavoring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner – something lighter, franker, more natural, as t were – she must really exclude me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children”(5) “The language in that quote Bronte gives Mrs. Reed to discuss Jane is poignant to Bronte’s own later characterization of the girl; thus, what Mrs. Reed sees as unchildlike and unnatural in Jane, Bronte will reveal as signifying her status as an evolved individual and not simply markers of a foul temper or negative disposition” (Mishou 259).
In other words this quote is stating that what Mrs. Reed sees in Jane is something that isn’t accepted, but later on will realize Jane is like this for a reason. Jane’s presence at Gateshead conduces to a natural progression towards the second stage of Bronte’s study, which hinges on the young girl’s presence at school, a transitional space that allows for the creation of a small society within a marginally domestic sphere. (Mishou 260).
Here we see Jane in a different setting After Jane completes school, she becomes a governess for Mr. Rochester. Jane is fascinated by her employer, and eventually falls in love with the man. However, even though Jane falls in love with Rochester he has a secret that is exposed on his wedding day. He is already married to an insane woman who is idden in the third floor of his house. As Jane searches for love she is still able to maintain her independent spirit, growing stronger in her beliefs and ideals with each conflict. Jane serves simply to improve her desire for independence, both financial and emotional.
She rejects marriages to Mr. Rochester because she understands she will have to forfeit her independence in the unions. Rochester is calling his union with Jane’s marriage, but she realizes his marriage to Bertha means Jane would be his mistress. After Jane learns of Rochester’s previous marriage, she flees from Thornfield. Jane believes that “marrying” Rochester hile he remains legally tied to Bertha would mean representing herself as a mistress and sacrificing her own honesty for the sake of emotional satisfaction and Jane does not with that.
Here you see an example of Jane and her independence. Jane now knows that Rochester is still married to Bertha and Jane refuses to have any connection with Rochester if he still wished to stay with Bertha. Jane shows a true act of self-confidence and self-respect for herself knowing again what is best for her and not being Rochester’s second priority. We then see an example of Jane’s fear of losing her independence when she refuses to accompany him to Europe. This shows Jane taking a step back to make sure she is doing what is right for her and nobody else.
Jane does not want to go to Europe with Rochester if it is under the wrong circumstances. On the other hand, her life at Moor House tests her in the opposite manner. There, she enjoys economic independence and engages in worthwhile and useful work, like teaching the poor but still lacks emotional nourishment. However out of all the predicaments that Jane faces throughout the novel, the largest one is trying to decide where she should marry St. John and pursue a missionary’s life or attempt to find Edward Rochester again and ave true love.
Jane goes through a major struggle after leaving Thornfield. She leaves the house with no money and hardly any possessions of her own. She is forced to beg for food and shelter. A lot of the people that she asks for help refuse to do so. Jane is acting as a very strong and brave woman. Finding out that Rochester has a wife and then leaving Thornfield with no money, most people at that point would give up hope and fail, but Jane’s strong senses of independence keeps her moving forward. Jane then finally finds refuge in Marsh End.
This is where she meets St. John. While living at Marsh End, Jane stablishes a good relationship with Mary and Diana. St. John is not as easy to get close with. He is a very cold and hard man who is set in his beliefs. However he notices that Jane is a very dedicated Christian and thinks that she could be an excellent missionary. He asks her if she will marry him, although neither love each other. A quote said by St. John says “God and nature intended you for a missionary’s wife. It is not personal, but mental endowments they have given you: you are formed for labour, not for love.
A missionary’s wife you must – shall be. You shall be mine: I claim you – not for my pleasure, but for my Sovereign’s service”. St. John makes this statement when he is attempting to convince Jane to marry him and become a missionary in India. St. John’s declaration that Jane is formed for “labour, not for love” emphasizes his belief that love and passion have no place in a moral life. St. John’s argument of ownership also highlights his view of Jane as a subservient companion, not a woman with independent thoughts. Jane knows that her heart belongs to Rochester.
Because of this, she is not capable of marrying St. John. She agrees to accompany him as a missionary, but not as his wife. Jane shows a strong round of being independent and knowing what is best for her. Jane knows what she wants and what her heart feels, so she is very persistent not settling for anything less. Just when Jane thinks things are going well and hope that St, John will accept that she does not want to marry him, St. John is not willing to accept Jane’s decision. Jane decides that she must pursue her feelings for Rochester.
God plays a large role in both Jane and Rochester’s lives. Jane puts her trust in God and allows him to guide her though her difficult situation. In her good fortune, he sends her to Ferndean where she is reunited with Rochester. Jane’s feelings of loves continue to exist despite Edward’s altered appearance. The fact that his hand has been amputated and his sight is lost does not bother Jane. She marries her love and accepts his defects. Jane overcomes the major conflict of choosing to be St. John’s wife and live as a missionary or to have pleasure living with Rochester.
The marriage to Jane helps Rochester. She gives him courage and happiness that was lost after she fled from Thornfield on their wedding night. After their second anniversary Rochester regains his sight. Janes gives her husband a reason to live, and he does the same for her. Jane was capable of living independently after inheriting her fortune of 20,000 pounds. Instead she chooses to live with Rochester and finally experiences full bliss after living such a hard life. Jane has finally conquered the struggle of finding true love. Eventually Jane expressed her need for love to Mrs.
Reed, “You think that I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of kindness, but I cannot live so: and you have no pity” (Bronte 41). Jane Eyre is searching tremendously for a goal to be loved. Jane searches, not just for romantic love, but also for a sense of being appreciated, of belonging. Then there is Jane who comes to Helen Burns and says: “to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull tss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest” (Chapter 8).
Even though Jane must learn how to gain love she needs to learn how to gain love without sacrificing and harming herself. All in all at Thornfield, Jane enjoys real love, but eventually realizes what Mr. Rochester is asking her to do. The events at Jane’s stay at Moor House are also necessary tests of Jane’s independence. Only after proving her self-sufficiency to herself can she marry Rochester and not be unequally dependent upon him as her “master. ”
As Jane says: “I am my husband’s life as fully as he is mine…. To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company…. We are precisely suited in character perfect concord is the result” (Chapter 38). After Jane has attained the financial independence and self-esteem to maintain a marriage of equality Jane allows herself to marry Mr. Rochester and enjoy a life of love. Going back to Joy Mangano, you see her at the end of the movie making her way through her conflicts throughout er family life, financially and emotionally. Joy still has desire and a sense of never giving up even though times are rough.
She stays strong through her life and makes sure no one will bring her down, and eventually becomes a wealthy lady who perused her career and independence to make her creation. The part of the movie that I like the most is when Joy after all that she went through to be successful still had the courage to try and help another mother peruse her own invention. I feel as if this shows that Joy is using her own independence to get where she wanted and helping someone else in need to gain their independence.
Throughout my research of Jane Eyre, I have seen that many critics have had difficulties with the conclusion of the story wondering “what happened to the woman who once so stirringly declared women’s desires for independence, replaces by a Jane who know apparently living only for Rochester (Clarke 695). Many critics have also praised Bronte’s ending, for example Adrienne Rich has praised Bronte’s conclusion describing it as presenting alternatives “to convention and traditional piety, yes, but also In the movie Joy directed by David.
O Russel, with Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DiNiro, and Bradly Cooper, came to mind when I read Jane Eyre se of the obstacles that lane went through were similar in a way to what Joy Mangano went through. Joy was a character who has always been fascinated by creating things; and her pursuit was always supported emotionally by her maternal grandmother, Mimi. Even though Joy has her grandmother she feels that lack of everyday support. The lack of support has led her to others making fortunes on ideas she had already come up with years ago but could not pursue manufacturing because of her less abled life.
Joy doesn’t really have any money so everyone has turned their back to her, and she could not move forward in her own life. For example, Joy did not attend college because she was there to help see her parents through divorce. She works in an unsatisfying job as an Eastern Airlines ticket clerk, and lives with her mother Terry and her ex-husband Tony lives in the basement because he can’t afford to buy a place, and their two children. Then there is her father Rudy, who is the owner of a failing heavy-duty garage, which is managed by Joy’s older half-sister Peggy, with who she has somewhat of a strained relationship with.
Joy begins to feel buried by her life, in the process her childhood dreams of making things apparently are getting farther and farther away. Joy then decides to make some changes in her life, and expects the reluctant practical support of her family. Those changes include manufacturing a new product of her design, which she chooses this time around being a self-wringing mop. Joy needs a quick, easy way to advertise her product, and is able to meet with QVC executive Neil Walker.
Neil tells Joy to manufacture 50,000 mops. The first commercial fails. This relates to an obstacle that Joy went through, just when Joy thought her life was getting back on track and she was finally doing what she has always wanted, she got let down once again. Just then when Joy goes on QVC, Joy and her product become an overnight success. Things look up for the family, with the mop earning thousands of dollars on QVC. Joy’s grandmother dies suddenly, which brings another obstacle in the way for Joy.
A family member of Joy tells Joy that she has to pay raised production fees. Joy is angry and travels to California to meet with the manufacturer, who refuses to pay her back. Joy also discovers that the manufacturer is about to illegally patent her design. Her lawyer reveals that there is nothing they can do to prevent this, and Joy is forced to file for bankruptcy. Joy feels walked on and drained after hearing all this and she could not believe what she was hearing. Joy thought her career was going to be shot down once again.
Just when Joy thought it couldn’t get worse, Joy then discovers that the manufacturers have been cheating her the entire time she has dealt with them. She confronts the owner, and forces him to pay her back. This time Joy was not holding back. This is what Joy always wanted to do was to be successful and nothing was stopping her or getting in the way of her. She went through so many obstacles to get her where she was and then several years later, Joy was wealthy women and ran a successful business. At the end of the film you see her helping a young mother develop a new invention.
