Tag: Christian heroine

Jane Eyre: A Heroine’s Quest for Home, Part Two

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English: North Lees Hall and out buildings Oth...
North Lees Hall, otherwise known as Thornfield Hall from the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From Thornfield Hall to Marsh-End

This article continues from “A Heroine’s Quest for Home, Part One: From Gateshead to Lowood”
 
“He is not to them what he is to me,” I thought: “he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is—I feel akin to him—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him.”

 

In this series of articles, I take a look at the story of Jane Eyre, one of my all-time favorite novels, by reviewing the various periods of Jane’s life as phases of a journey. Following her time at Lowood School, Thornfield Hall is the second stop of Jane’s journey. It is here that Jane experiences a new type of servitude – one in which she willingly and joyfully serves someone she loves. While being put to use immediately as a governess, more importantly she is directly useful to Rochester on numerous occasions, beginning with her first encounter with him. On this occasion, Rochester tells Jane, “Necessity compels me to make you useful.” After she saves him from the fire, he tells her, “I knew you would do me good in some way, at some time.” Continue reading “Jane Eyre: A Heroine’s Quest for Home, Part Two” →

Jane Eyre: A Heroine’s Quest for Home

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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

“Anybody may blame me who likes, when I add further, that, now and then, when I took a walk by myself in the grounds…that then I desired more of practical experience than I possessed; more of intercourse with my kind, of acquaintance with variety of character, than was here within my reach…It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.”


One of my all-time favorite works of classic fiction is Jane Eyre, and I’ve read it several times (and will again!). This romantic, gothic, fictional autobiography portrays a young woman seeking to find a place in society where she can add value to others, as well as be valued herself. From the very start, the reader sympathizes with Jane and admires her courage in difficult circumstances. Abandoned, demoralized and betrayed as a child by those on whom she depends for care and protection, Jane has almost every disadvantage in a society which judges and rewards individuals for their external and superficial qualities, such as social status, wealth and beauty. But Jane does have qualities that serve her well – her wit and intelligence, her courage, and most importantly, her faith. Each situation she faces serves to give her more inner strength and confidence. She knows that while people may fail her, God never will, and He never does. Continue reading “Jane Eyre: A Heroine’s Quest for Home” →