“Suspect had troubled past”, “… a troubled childhood leads to poorer health in adulthood…”, “A troubled childhood leaves us emotionally crippled.” These headlines represent the view commonly held by our society, that each individual is a victim of their circumstances. However, in the novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, this is not the case. Although Jane qualifies as having a “troubled childhood”, she grows up to be a emotionally stable, mature woman. Why is this?
There were several notable figures in Jane’s formative years, who provided support throughout her abusive childhood. Bessie Leaven, a servant at Gateshead Hall, is the one beacon of kindness in a sea of cruelty. Jane’s aunt and cousins berate her incessantly, but Bessie is their to provide some respite. Providing similar support during her time at Lowood Institution, Helen Burns and Miss Temple encourage Jane when she is humiliated in front of the whole school. Helen is a faithful friend, who shows Jane what it is like to love and be loved. She also impresses on Jane the value of not retaliating when mistreated. Farther on in Jane’s life journey, she is aided in her sense of self-worth by Mr. Rochester treating her as an intellectual equal. Their conversations give Jane an outlet to discuss feelings and observations, rounding her character. These friends helped Jane to overcome the effects of callous treatment.
The first instance of someone deliberately going out of their way to show love to Jane is when Miss Temple entertains Jane and Helen for an evening. Choosing to trust Jane, Miss Temple believes her story over that of the school’s owner. This has a huge effect on Jane, making her time at Lowood no longer miserable. As Jane puts it, quoting Solomon, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” She can endure want, as long as she has friends. Her departure to Thornfield puts Jane on a new plane of independence. No longer is she bound to any will but her own. Her stay at Thornfield is where Jane truly emerges as a self-supporting young woman.
The strongest belief held by Jane is that of respect for herself. Even as a young child, she is indignant when her cousins treat her in a way that is “Unjust! – unjust!” She refuses to do anything which might disgrace her. This becomes evident as her relationship with Mr. Rochester progresses. What he asks of her, being an insult to her dignity, and wrong in the eyes of God, she refuses, saying, “I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God.” She holds this belief so firmly, that she walks away from the potential of a wealthy, comfortable life, and turns instead towards the prospect of poverty and hardship. Jane has a firmly rooted faith in God, declaring that, “Sure was I of His efficiency to save what He had made.” Knowing that God would protect her and her loved ones helped Jane to face trials which might otherwise have been unbearable. These two convictions kept Jane from meekly submitting to her oppressors.
Throughout her childhood at Gateshead Hall and Lowood Institution, Jane Eyre is faced with difficulty after difficulty, and injustice after injustice. How did she survive, and emerge as a mature young woman? The loving kindness of friends, her belief in God, and her respect of self carried Jane through a troubled childhood.