Passion in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

Passion in Jane Eyre

It is believed that we are born with a predestined personality.

Our spiritual individuality is just as much a product of our genetic makeup

as the color of our skin or our eyes. With our soul firmly planted, 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 of the novel, 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, devotion and reason intrigue 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 it's

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",(v.i.37) gives Jane the power of freedom

and opens up a life of "unhoped-for liberty",(v.i.37).

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 (v.i.113)

could suggest that she is playing upon natural imagery and allusions to