Self-Worth In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

Home is intangible. It is not a house, but rather, a state of mind. Home is a sense of belonging, and Jane, the protagonist of the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, struggles to find her home. Jane seeks to gain independence and self-realization which ultimately lead her “home”. Jane’s harsh childhood and complicated relationships cause her a loss of identity and self esteem, which she desires to rediscover in the revelation of her home. In order to find her home, Jane embarks on a journey of self-worth. Jane suffers through a childhood filled with hardship, abandonment, and severe authority figures. This lack of empathy from her relatives causes Jane’s independence to deteriorate. Jane seeks to gain a sense of stability after living a

Jane doubts herself and her self-worth, “Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, for ever condemned? Why could I never please? Why was it useless to try to win anyone’s favor?” (Bronte 36). Jane questioned her own perseverance. She began to question the meaning of her own life, brimming with adversity. Thus, Jane establishes her strength due to these particular hardships. Gao explains the impact of Jane’s youth on her development, “She learns how to live from her childhood environment. Also, just from her growing experiences, it creates her strong personality, beautiful ideal, and wisdom.” Gao explains that Jane’s childhood has a significant impact on her person. Jane’s ability to undergo an atrocious youth allowed her to gain her tenacity. Though she does question herself, ultimately, Jane pursues her own individuality and self-respect. Jane’s pursuit complicates itself when she encounters Mr.

Rochester. Mr. Rochester asserts his dominance upon Jane, “‘Miss Eyre, I beg your pardon. The fact is, once for all, I don't wish to treat you like an inferior: that is' (correcting himself), ‘I claim only such superiority as must result from twenty years' difference in age and a century's advance in experience’” (Bronte 332). Namely, Jane has once again become the inferior. Jane recognizes their difference in class, finances, and age, but she once again refuses to accept that the two are not equals. Jane perseveres once more in gaining her self-worth. Though Rochester attempts to claim superiority, Jane rebels against this oppression, “‘Do you think that because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I have as much soul as you,—and full as much heart!’” Bronte (628). Jane has found herself. She has identified her self-worth and her individualism. She denies the inequality of the Victorian Era and sees value in her own identity. Penner describes this defining moment saying, “This heroine’s rebellion against her oppressors marks the beginning of her individualism, her desire for self-possession and expression.” Jane’s confidence allows her to identify her equality with her oppressors. This foundation of Jane’s self-possession allows Jane to understand that she can finally find her