"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte

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It is believed that we are born with a predestined personality. With our soul firmly established, we can then build upon this basis as we are educated of the world. The social climate and cultural atmosphere shape our personalities; however, it is the people in our lives who have the greatest influence. Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre reveals this idea by the development of the protagonist. Through a series of character foils, Bronte expresses her idea of self- development and growth of the human spirit by contrasting passion with reason. By my interpretation, Bronte suggests that in one's life time, they will encounter a number of people and experiences that will arouse enough emotion in them to have the power to change their direction in life. St. John Rivers plays one of these life determining foils to Jane Eyre. His confidence and devotion intrigues Jane almost enough to silence her inner passionate spirit, but it is the forces of nature that prove to be stronger than human will. The life path of a Victorian woman was somewhat limited in its direction and expression of individuality. Jane Eyre strongly adheres to the Victorian morality which was dominated by the Anglican party of the Church of England in which passion and emotion were kept concealed. Jane's instinct for asserting herself was stifled at an early age and could only be expressed through defiance. The defiant declaration of independence from Mrs. Reed, "You are deceitful" gives Jane the power of freedom and opens up a life of "unhoped-for liberty”. Through the preceding years Jane develops into a highly educated, well spoken and strong willed woman. She is taught to be patient and thoughtful during her years in Lowood, and is introduced to the emotions of the heart and spirit in meeting Rochester. Bronte makes an emphasis on the spiritual and supernatural atmosphere of Thornfield. The reference to the "Gytrash" and the mystical atmosphere she illustrates of their first meeting in the woods could suggest that she is playing upon natural imagery and allusions to express the idea that Jane and Rochester are a destined, yet mysterious match of the souls. "I knew ...you would do me good in some way... I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you," Rochester tells Jane. The use of the repeated references to fire also foreshadows and symbolizes their growing passion for each other. However, it is the symbolic interpretation of the lightning striking the horse-chestnut tree in half that hints that their love will not evolve without a crisis. It is this crisis that throws Jane into the life of the Rivers family. Moor House and the values of the Rivers are the mirror image of Thornfield. Where Thornfield was mystical and romantic, Moor House has a comfortable and domestic setting. Jane's instant rapport with the "spontaneous, genuine, genial compassion", of Mary, Diana and St. John allow her to feel at ease and safe. The contrast between Rochester and St. John play a major part in the development of Jane's self-fulfillment. It is in Jane's description of the two men that the reader gets the most tangible picture of their contrasts. Bronte uses words such as "wild" and "moody" to describe Rochester, whereas St. John is "compressed, condensed and controlled". A disciplined and educated missionary, he is focused on his one devotion and remains static throughout the novel. His ambition drives him and does not believe in the importance of revealing emotions. As Jane comes to know him, she senses that, like her, he seems to be not at peace. They are both restless and seeking the greater power that rules them; for St. John it is judgment, for Jane it is passion. St. John represents a life of Christian servitude and moral ambition. Jane has only known of a life of serving others, and for a time, the power of this identity had kept freedom a secret from her. Jane's experience of a life of servitude is only, "what I knew of existence. Now I felt that it was not enough: I tired of the routine... I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer...".It is the responsibilities of servitude that suffocate her and constrain her. Her anger at St. John's demand that she sacrifice all her desires to his missionary ambition enables her to see him clearly for the first time and gives her the strength to refuse him. As St. John persisted in subduing Jane, Jane became weaker in her fight. Just as Jane was about to succumb, it was as if destiny and nature were stronger than human ambition. A "freshening gale" created by passion blew in the opposite direction of the "counteracting breeze" of judgment and brought with it the voice of Rochester's love. Jane's human affections and sympathies took a most powerful hold of her, and she knew without a doubt that she could not live if she was forced to stifle her passionate heart. It is in her nature to love wholly, and because of the antagonistic relationship between Jane and St. John she was able to become aware of the intensity of her love for Rochester and allow it to complete her soul. As the symbol of the split horse-chestnut suggested, their love could be put through disaster, but eventually they came together as they were fundamentally one at the roots.

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