In Jane Eyre, the key quotes pivotal to the understanding of the protagonist’s character traits are found when Jane discovers her new sense of belonging in another environment with her new companion. An independent and determined girl, Jane Eyre, at the age of seven, suffers emotional and physical abuse from her relatives, resulting in her ultimate transfer to the Lowood Institution for education.
Upon entering the Christian charity school, Jane attempts to get accustomed to the routines and habits of others, meanwhile feeling isolated in her surroundings because she is unfamiliar with everyone, including the teachers. Although Jane acts as a strong and determined girl who does not show fear when faced with superiority or obstacles, she is also passive when it comes to building relationships. This is evident when she meets her first acquaintance, Helen Burns, and states that she “hardly know where [she] found the hardihood thus to open a conversation with a stranger,” which is revealing of her true nature and habits (49). She then explains that Helen’s situation “touched a chord of sympathy somewhere” because she is always being targeted by a teacher named Miss. Scatcherd (49). This quote is significant to the understanding of Jane’s personality because it shows that although she presents herself as courageous, she also has an introvert nature and yearns to be compassionate and supportive of those in need. To others, Jane might not seem like a passionate and approachable person, and Helen might seem like an irresponsible student, yet from this friendship they form, they both understand and appreciate each other for who they are.
Jane and Helen share stories of personal hardships, and from there, they both influence each other’s personality. Even though Helen is constantly mistreated by the history teacher, Miss. Scatcherd, she responses with generosity and forgiveness, explaining that “it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear” (56). This reveals that Helen is one who rather possesses compassion and forgiveness than resentment and abhorrence. Nevertheless, Jane at first finds her doctrine absurd and is befuddled by her belief. She, on the other hand, believes that it is fundamental for a person to demand respect and acceptance of who he or she is, and that those who fail to recognize this importance should not be tolerated:
“You are good to those who are good to you. It is all I ever desire to be. If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly” (57).
This quote strongly describes Jane as strong-willed and dignified. She firmly believes that everyone should have a sense of belonging and be treated with respect. On the other hand, Helen finds this theory “uncivilised” because she believes that “life appears too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs” (58). It is significant that although both Jane and Helen have opposite beliefs, (one who embraces forgiveness and one who does not allow to be trampled on) they still manage to form a tight friendship. Despite what they disagree the most is their beliefs in life, this is also the initial attraction that brings their friendship together. Ultimately, their opposite personalities amalgamate and their friendship becomes unbreakable.
Regardless of Jane’s unhappy childhood due to the lack of love and care and the emotional and physical assault she endures from her cruel relatives, her longing to be valued and recognized has eventually began to be achieved upon befriending Helen, who has made a positive influence on her character. As a result, Jane’s outlook in life has immensely altered to become more optimistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment