Jane Eyre Oppression Essay

In Jane Eyre, women are oppressed and treated unequal to men in society as the novel is set during the Victorian era. When Jane is young, she struggles to fight for her independence away from Mrs. Reed and her cruelties. She is forced to live under Mr. Brocklehurst’s harsh conditions at Lowood and longs to escape and become free of the rules forced upon her. She struggles against St. John’s controlling behavior and yearns for freedom from his persistent religious principles. Throughout Jane’s life, she continually fights and perseveres for her freedom. In the end, she gains money and status, becoming a strong, independent woman. In the novel, the main character and heroine, Jane Eyre, becomes a successful, free woman in times of religious and social oppressions.

In the beginning of the novel, Jane struggles to live with her guardian, Mrs. Reed. Her aunt is forced to provide and care for Jane but shows no respect or affection towards her. The first ten years of Jane’s life, Mrs. Reed torments her with punishments she does not deserve. Jane does not have any money and is not treated as equally as her cousins. She is trapped under Mrs. Reed’s orders who refuses to give Jane any freedom. Mrs. Reed’s biggest crime against Jane occurs during the meeting with Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane’s aunt describes her as a deceitful child even though she is truly not deceitful. Jane is able to break free from Mrs. Reed and her harsh punishments after hearing these false convictions. “Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt.” Jane stands up for herself to Mrs. Reed and disowns her as an aunt. She is able to feel free from Mrs. Reed and her horrible doings. She is abl...

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Jane Eyre is the heroine because she is able to overcome religious and social oppressions to become a successful, individual woman. During the time of the novel, men and women are treated unequal and women are more likely to be oppressed. Jane fights for her independence at a young age against her aunt, Mrs. Reed and her harsh punishments. She struggles to live at Lowood because strict rules are placed upon her by Mr. Brocklehurst, leaving no room for the freedom she desires. Lastly, Jane battles against St. John to become free from his pushy religious outlook as well as his controlling behavior. Jane fights for her freedom throughout the novel to gain her independence in the end. She is able to become successful despite the oppressions she faces, gaining wealth and status. She is a strong, independent, successful woman which is why she is chosen as the heroine.