While the text of Bronte’s Jane Eyre focuses on the oppression of gender and class; the main character Jane thwarts these oppressions in a manner that is based primarily on class (2006). It is true that the main reason for the cancellation of Jane’s marriage is due to Edward ’s prior wedding to Bertha Mason; however, Bertha is integral to the novel as her marital union with Edward paves the way for the deus ex machina plot to take place for Jane to overcome the obstacles of class. The aim of this essay is to prove that the heavy influences that play a part in the cancellation of the marriage in Jane Eyre are due to class; this will be done using textual evidence to emphasize the reasons for the cancellation according to Bronte’s view.
Jane Eyre from the beginning of the book is treated as an outsider but maintains a strong moralistic character and remains faithful to herself. This is similar to Bronte herself who
“contradicted society” and “withdrew from [them because they] would not entirely accept her [ideals]” (Lowes 2008). While Miss Abbott dictates that Jane is not equal with the Reed family - despite their relations (Bronte 2008, p. 16); her aunt impresses on Jane a worth of being less and despises her for her “passions” (Bronte 2006, p. 45). While Jane’s passions are atypical for a woman, as she matures her passions do not dissipate; instead she becomes more decisive about her passions- which is what leads her to Edward Rochester (Bronte 2006, pp. 129-130). As the relationship between Edward and Jane kindles, Jane explains that she is not jealous of Blanche because she is “inferior”: despite the woman’s status and states that she understands why others conform to societal expectations (Bronte 2006, pp. 215-218). While these prove that both class and gender are influential, class is dominant- as we will discuss.
The societal expectations of Jane submitting to a man are shattered when she learns of Ed...