Jane Eyre and Love

          Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, presents many thought-provoking themes, the most prominent being the desire for love and for some people, it seems that love is an elusive dream. From the first chapter, I was hooked with a feeling of sympathy and compassion for young Jane Eyre who, no matter what she did, was never loved by her own family, as every child should. Her supposed ‘guardian,’ Mrs. Reed (her aunt by marriage), treated Jane as if she were the devil (like a child of that age could truly be a devil), locking her in the "Red Room" where her uncle died for hours; this was punishment for standing up to the cruelty of her cousin, Mr. John who was abusive to her. Finally, when she was rid of Mrs. Reed and sent to Lowood School for girls, Jane eagerly sought for a place of belonging, where she could start fresh and leave her past behind. Once again, a cruel school master presented her as an ungrateful and outspoken girl, someone to avoid befriending. Although Jane wishes to be loved and accepted she cannot let anyone close enough to her heart, in fear of getting hurt. This occurs in her love for Mr. Rochester, whereby, for weeks she tries to hide her feelings, not giving into the notion that Mr. Rochester, in his position of wealth, could ever love "poor and plain" Jane Eyre. Ironically, however, when Jane excepts Mr. Rochester’s proposal and is about to embrace ‘love’ she finds out that he has a wife still living; rather than sacrifice her own integrity "for the sake of emotional gratification," she chooses to leave him and move on.

          At this point, Jane’s hopes of ever feeling love again, whether it be in friendship, family or romance seems very slim as she has no money, only independence. When Jane, by luck, finds her only living family members, her heart opens wide to the chance of having "sisters and brothers." Although Jane still desperately seeks love, her nature will not allow her to marry her cousin, St. John Rivers, as she can foresee that the marriage would have no love in it; thus, she does not jump at the first chance she has for love, after leaving her one and only, Mr. Rochester. After a sudden turn of events, Jane, in worry over Mr. Rochester’s physical being, rushes back to him, only to find him blind and cripple. Her love is notably strengthened for him, possibly as she can now view herself as an equal, and ends up marrying Mr. Rochester, not for wealth or a higher social class, but for the sake of that elusive dream of love.