Jane Eyre (Pride in the Novel)
Within her novel, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte portrays the theme of pride brilliantly through several characters and significant situations. During the 19th century, the people who openly expressed their feelings of pride were those in the upper elite classes for they were not as concerned about what others thought about them as those in the lower classes. The affluent members of society were satisfied with their status among the community and were comfortable enough to feel pride around them. The three most dominant characters to clearly illustrate their feelings of pride within the novel were Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester, and St. John Rivers. Jane Eyre grew up as an orphan, living with her aunt and three cousins. Although her uncle Reed loved Jane dearly, her aunt, Sara Reed, deliberately disregards her presence after his death. One day, Jane overhears her aunt saying to her cousin John, "Don't talk to me about her John: I told you not to go near her; she is not worthy of notice; I do not choose that either you or your sisters should associate with her." (29) This absence of a nurturing touch and the guidance of a motherly figure within her life makes Jane extremely introverted and unable to open
Jane unexpectedly enters the life of St. John Eyre Rivers when she runs away from Mr. Rochester and nearly starves to death. St. John had grown up within a wealthy family and was pledged a prosperous future by his father. But it turns out that his "father had some years ago lost a great deal of money, by a man he had trusted turning bankrupt; and as he was now not rich enough to give them fortunes, they must provide for themselves." (345) This tragedy forces St. John to take the job of a simple church pastor to earn his living. The actions of his past and family turn Mr. Rochester's pride into a fierce haughtiness in which he is never ashamed. During his first encounter with Jane he says, "Go into the library - I mean, if you please. - (Excuse my tone of command; I am used to say 'Do this,' and it is done: I cannot alter my customary habits for one new inmate.)" (127) Mr. Rochester is accustomed to being in control and he has the inner strength and admits that he is too proud to change his daily habits for a new individual within his life. The characters of Jane, Mr. Rochester, and St. John have thoroughly demonstrated that the theme of pride can exist in several forms: reactionary pride, a sense of self-respect, fierce pride, and modest pride. It proved that our upbringing fully reflects on our pride within the future, creating dominant differences among all of us. Several situations can instigate our pride, while others can bring down our self-esteem and in doing so, destroy our personal feelings of pride. Although St. John's job as a pastor provides him with several wonderful attributions, his pride is modest and he is never boastful of his various qualities. St. John is "comparatively seldom at home: a large proportion of his time appeared devoted to visiting the sick and poor among the scattered population of his parish." (353) St. John's modesty is
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1266
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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