Defiance In Jane Eyre

Defiance

Both Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver explore the ideas of defying social norms for women in societies where this is uncommon, unique and sets a precedent. The novels contain female characters who grow and become independent as their story progresses, as well as encourage other women around them to grow in a similar way.

In the book Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the main character Jane experiences extreme character development throughout the story due to hardships she endures. This allows her to grow into an intelligent woman who provides for herself. This growth can first be seen in her childhood at her aunt's estate and the school for girl orphans, Lowood. Jane is brought up in a household

where her cousins and aunt abuse her. Because of this constant abuse Jane pushes to make herself heard, something that she would not do if this terrible environment did not exist for her. She stands up for herself claiming she cannot “do without one bit of love or kindness” (Bronte 45) and begins to rebuild her life to reflect her own desires. Her outbursts allow her to change her situation and move away from her hurtful family to Lowood where she finds comfort in her first positive mother figure, Mrs.Temple. At Lowood she educates herself and becomes an intelligent and capable young woman guided by Mrs.Temple. Her constant effort at school reflects her desire to change her situation for the better and obtain a stronger sense of familial belonging, something that is not seen in women of this time. Jane’s childhood and lack of family conditions her to be independent and allows her to recognize the injustice of her situation. In the Reed household, Lowood and even Thornfield, she rejects the judgements that society makes on the basis of class and instead judges people based on her personal standard of ethics instead of social standing. This allows her to feel equal to Rochester, even though she far below him in terms of rank and wealth. Jane even allows herself to feel at home with this man she states “Thank you, Mr. Rochester, for your great kindness. I am strangely glad to get back again to you; and wherever you are is my home,—my only home." (Bronte 235)
Bronte’s use of a narrative voice strengthens the reader's impression of control and strength coming from Jane. Jane’s compelling voice forces the reader to be brought close to her and at times reveals her deepest feelings. However she never comes off as completely vulnerable, and often addresses the readers directly showing she is allowing them to be part of the story. This gives her a position of power over the reader, as she is completely in charge of the narrative. Jane’s voice allows the reader to completely trust her, and her reliability is never called into question.
Jane expresses the fear of losing herself in a marriage, something that was very uncommon to express in the nineteenth century, and resists compromising her identity to be Rochester's ideal wife. On the day of her marriage she doesn't recognize herself as “Mrs. Rochester” (Bronte 321) Only when rochester is socially ruined, and essentially equal to Jane in status, the threat of being smothered by him no longer exists. She then makes the final decision to marry him and announces “Reader, I married him.”(Bronte 520). Again showing her position of power and unapologetic decision making.
Jane not only saves herself from an unhappy life, but she also saves her two newly discovered cousins Mary and Diana. She saves them from being forced to work as a governesses, a confusing female role in the 1800’s. Since the girls have no support from their father and are both unmarried, they are forced to become governesses. A position that is one of lifelong servitude and repression of personal desires. A position Jane is too familiar with, and saves them from, inspiring them to live a life they want instead of one that is laid out for them.
The idea of women defying social norms is also seen in the character Orleanna Price in the novel Poisonwood Bible. From the beginning of the book Orleanna Price does exactly what her husband, Nathan Price, wants and expects from her. She even unquestionably moves to the Congo with him, and does so in order to keep her family together. Because she cares for her household, she becomes accepting of Nathan’s outrageous and dangerous dealings with both his family and the village congregation. She fails to stand up to him until it is too late for her youngest daughter, Ruth May. After the death of Ruth May, Orleanna finally leaves him. This is the start of a new life for her, one of self-determination rather than submission and obedience.
Just like Jane, Orleanna’s survival in the United States illustrates that the self- aware can save themselves even after great trauma.

Jane saves herself and returns with dignity after being deceived by Rochester, and Orleanna saves herself from a life with Nathan. Kingsolver forces the reader to feel pity for this woman who compares her marriage to the life of the caged bird Methuselah. Orleanna’s marriage to Nathan Price broke her, and like the bird she was caged by it. She believes that her marriage causes her to be “lodged in the heart of darkness, so thoroughly bent to the shape of marriage, I could hardly see any other way to stand. Like Methuselah, I cowered beside my cage, and though my soul hankered after the mountain, I found, like Methuselah, I had no wings” (Kingsolver 201). Orleanna’s trauma allows her to remove herself and her remaining daughters from an abusive household. Like Jane the less than comfortable conditions of her environment force Orleanna to learn how to evade, adapt, and to confront internal and external obstacles to her survival.

Similar to Bronte’s narrative for Jane, Kingsolver makes Orleanna’s narrative a trusting and reliable voice. Orleanna continues, and fills in the gaps between the other narrator’s stories and their understandings, forcing the reader to understand the important role she has of keeping her family intact. Like Jane she understands the supporting role women are expected to play in a man's world, and like Jane she rejects these values. In the 60’s and 70’s it was uncommon for women to demand more authority in their own homes, Orleanna however, not only demanded it after the events of the story, but took control over

it.
Orleanna's independence and determination, similar to that of Jane in Jane Eyer, allows not only herself to grow, but her daughters as well. Her ability to remove them from their father’s grasp allows them to pursue their own dreams and goals. Nathan Price opposed female education and thought "Sending a girl to college is like pouring water in your shoes. [...] It's hard to say which is worse, seeing it run out and waste the water, or seeing it hold in and wreck the shoes." (Kingsolver 101), however with the support of their mother the young girls chose their own paths. Leah gains the family and education she yearns for. Adah becomes a doctor and regains her body solely through perseverance. Rachel becomes a successful business owner. All occupations and statuses unusual for women at the time. These girls all broke away from social norms just like their mother.
Both of these novels describe a strong female character who encourages other female characters around her to grow into individuals who are not bound by the laws of social norms. Bronte begins her novel with the introduction of an already head strong character who evolves into a more independent women, while Kingsolver introduces a character who is yet to be transformed into a self reliant woman. Both authors however successfully provide a resilient female character who set forth a precedent of self reliance for other young women.