Feminism In Jane Eyre

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the Victorian era a governess
was little more than a servant who was paid to share her scarce amount of
knowledge in limited fields to a child. With little respect, security, or
class one may certainly feel that an intelligent, passionate and
opinionated young woman such as Jane Eyre should deserve and be capable of
so much more. The insecurity of this position, being tossed around with
complete disregard for her feelings or preferences, is only one of many
grueling characteristics of this occupation. However for Jane to even
emerge into society, becoming a governess seemed the only reasonable path
for her.

The women of the Victorian Era can be regarded as the first group
to do battle for the equality of the sexes. They lead all women to follow
after them, and though their progression may not have been as vivid as the
women of the 70's, they did have an effect. Feminism was not outright
spoken of in this time, rather passed through literature, such as this very
novel. ...

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spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we
stood at God's feet, equal, -- as we are!"

This quotation explicitly portray Bronte's attempt to raise the issue of
sexual equality. Jane is fighting for her individuality in this quote, and
refuses to be reduced to some mere "machine". She will not act in the
manner that "custom" or "conventionalities" would deem her to act, but
through her own free will. This is vividly a female's attempt to break
free of the mold that society has attempted to set her in. This is very
comparable to William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in which a man
of Jewish descent, Shylock, is trying to show to others how he is no
different ...

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