Abstract

JaneEyreisapieceofautobiographicalfiction.ItisCharlotte.Bronte’sfirstnovelpublishedin1849.Thenovelcreatesafemaleimagewhoisagainstsocialpressurewithrebellionandindependence.Itisfilledwithlove,passionandreason,andmaintainsitsuniqueartisticcharm.Thisthesisanalyzessomemajorcharactersinthenovelandtakesalotofexamplestoshowtheauthor’smeaningandreflectthetheme.Thiskindofdescriptionmakesthefigurearealpersonwithbloodandflesh.Italsoreflectstheauthor’sresistantspirit.TheHeroineofJaneEyre,aplainandlittlegirl,livesundertraditionalpressuretopursueforindependenceandloveloyalty.Thisthesisanalyzesherpersonality.Underheradamancyandself-respect,sheliterallyhasgotafieryheartforherlove.Furthermore,thethesistellsustheHeroine’slovestandpointthattheloveshouldrelyontheindependenteconomyandshouldbeequalintheirspiritforboththelovers.

KeyWords

Love;self-respect;rebellion;womenconsciousness

摘要

《简.爱》是一部自传体小说，它是夏洛蒂.勃朗特的第一部长篇小说。作者以第一人称的自叙手法，为我们描述了一个反抗社会压力，充满反叛和独立精神的女性形象。小说以其独特的艺术魅力，展示其充满爱、激情与理性的深刻内涵。本文分析了文本的主要艺术形象，通过一系列例证揭示了作者的意图和文本反映的主题。这种描述使文本人物形象丰满，有血有肉，同时揭示了作者隐含在文本中的反叛思想。朴实的女主人公简.爱，在传统的社会压力下，追求着自己的独立和忠实的爱情。本文透过女主人公坚强自尊的性格特点，探秘在其内心深处的炽热爱情，揭示女主人公追求经济的独立，精神上男女平等的爱情观。

关键词

爱情；自尊；反叛；女性意识

Introduction

CharlotteBrontewasborninaPriest’sfamilyinYorkShirein1816.Hermotherdiedwhenshewasfiveyearsold,butherfatherwasanintellect,heoftentaughthischildrentoreadbooksandmagazinesandtoldstoriestothem.Charlottewasinterestinliterature,sowhenshewasveryyoung,shewassenttoaboardingschoolandwhenshewas15,shewenttoanotherschooltostudy.Inordertosupportherfamily,shebecameateacher.In1847,shepublishedhernovelJaneEyre,thenovelwasagreatshockatthattimeandmadehersuccessful.Shediedin1885.

JaneEyreisagreatnovelthatitisanimportantpositioninthehistoryofBritishliterature.Andithasbeentranslatedintovariouslanguagesandadaptedformovie,readersallthroughtheworld.TheperiodwhenJanelivedcorrespondswiththetimeofQueenVictoria’sruling.VictoriawhoruledovertheBritishEmpireformorethan60yearswasawellknownqueeninEnglishhistory.TheperiodhasbeengeneralsregardedasoneofthemostgloriousintheEnglishhistory.

JaneEyrehasthedeepromanticscolorandhasalsodepictedtheactuallifenovel.ThenovelbeginswithJaneintheuncle’shousepassherchildhood,sheispackedofftoacharitableboardingschoolandJanesetsherselftolearn.Shebecomesateacher;sheisemployedasgovernessoftheFrenchdaughterofRochesterinhiscountrymansion,Thornfield.Intheplaceshehasherownlove.Whentheycometoamarriage,JanehasdiscoveredthatRochesterhasamadwifewhoishiddeninthathouse.Janedoesn’twanttobeRochester’smistressandleavesThornfield.SheisrescuedbytheRiversfamily.WhenJaneproposesmarriagebyJohnRiver,JaneknowsJohnRiversinordertoundertakemissionarywork,soJanerefusesJohnRiver’scourting.ThenJanegainsalargeamountofinheritancefromherunclewhoshehasneverknown.ShereturnstoThornfield,butthehousehasbeendestroyedbyafirestartedbythemadwife.ShefindsRochester,blindandalone.Thentheymarryandfindhappinesstogether.

I.JaneEyre’sPersonality

A.JaneEyre’sAdamancy

1.JaneEyre’sLifeatHerAunt’sHome

Orphanedasaninfant,JaneEyreliveswithatGateshedwithheraunt.SarahReed.Whensheistenyearsold.Hercousins,GeorgianaandElizadonotloveher.Theirbrother,John,ismoreblatantlyhostiletoJane,remindingherthatsheisapoordependentofhismother.OnedayheisangeredtofindJanereadingoneofhisbooks,sohetakesthebookawayandthrowsitather.Findingthistreatmentintolerable,Janefightsback.Sheisblamedfortheconflagrationandsenttothered-room,theplacewhereherkindUncleReeddied.Inthisfrighteningroom,JanethinkssheseesherUncle’sghostandbegstobesetfree.HerauntReedrefuses,andremainsJaneinherprisonuntilshelearnscompletesubmissiveness.Whenthedoortothered-roomislockedonceagain,Janepassesout.Shewalksbackinherownroom,withthekindphysician,Mr.Lloyd,standingoverherbed.HeadvisesAuntReedtosendJaneawaytoschool,becausesheisobviouslyunhappyatGateshed.

Herauntagreesit.Allthingsareverysmooth,butMrs.ReedtellsMr.BrocklehurstthatJaneisalyingchild.ThesethingsdonotstrikeJanedown,sheisveryfirm,sheknowsthereissomebodytoloveher.Theauthorshowsherrebelliousspiritthroughherwordsanddeeds.

2.JaneEyre’sSchoolLife

JaneissenttoLowoodSchool,acharityinstitutionfororphangirls,runbyMr.Brocklehurst.Astingyandmean-heartedminister,Brocklehurstprovidesthegirlswithstarvationlevelsoffood,freezingrooms,andpoorlymadeclothingandshoes.HejustifieshispoortreatmentofthembysayingthattheyneedtolearnhumilityandbycomparingthemtoChristianmartyrs,whoalsoenduredgreathardships.DespitethedifficultconditionsatLowood,JaneprefersschooltolifewiththeReeds.FromMissTemple,Janelearnsproperladylikebehaviorandcompassion,fromHelenshegainsamorespiritualfocus.Theschool’sdampcondition,combinedwiththegirls’near-starvationdiet,producesatyphusepidemic,inwhichnearlyhalfthestudentsdie,includingHelen,whodiesinJane’sarms.Followingthistragedy,BrocklehurstisdeposedfromhispositionasmanagerofLowood,andconditionsbecomemoreacceptable.Janequicklybecomesastarstudent.Andaftersixyearsofhardwork,shebecomesaneffectiveteacher.FollowingtwoyearsofteachingatLowood,Janeisreadyfornewchallenges.

AtLowoodschoolisfullwithfreshandcurious,atthesametimesheworriesitverymuch.InhereJanehasabestfriendthatsheisHelen.WhenHelenispunishedtostandupinpeople’scentreinroom,JanefeelsthethingmakesHelenloseface,butHelensays“yetitwouldbeyourdutytobearit,ifyoucouldnotavoidit,itisweakandsillytoberequiredtobear.”①ButJaneisnotunderstoodandendured,Helenthinks“loveyourenemies;blessthemthatcurseyou;dogoodtothemthathateyouranddespitefullyuseyou.”②ThethingexplainsHelen’sweakness,shedoesnotdarecomposeouttoselfunfairthingresisting,isabletogotoendure.

Jane’sworryingthatithasfinallyappeared,Mr.Brocklehurstcomestoschool,thathesaysJaneisalyingchild,sheispunishedtostandonthestoolatthehead,donotallowanybodyspeaktoher.Janeiscrying,butshedoesnotgiveup,shebelievesthatsomebodybelievesthatsheisinnocent.Shewinsultimatelyeverybody’srespectandlove.

Atschool,Jane’spersonalityismorepronouncedresistance,andcontrasttoherfriend’spatientcompliance.Asthenovelprogresses,shegrowsinstrength.ShedistinguishesherselfatLowoodSchoolbecauseofherhardworkandstrongintellectualabilities.LifeinLowoodOrphanagemaybemuchmorecourageanddeterminationtostruggleforherright.

3.JaneEyreLookingforaJobintheTown

JaneleavesThornfieldHall.ShehasbeenrescuedbySt.John.Shespeaks:“Iwillbeadressmaker;Iwillbeaplain-workman;Iwillbeaservant,anurse-girl,ifIcanbenobetter,”Mr.St.Johnsays:“Right,ifsuchisyourspirit,Ipromisetoaidyou,inmyowntimeandway.”③St.JohnoffersJaneahumblejobastheschoolmistressforthepoorgirlsinhisparishatMorton.Janeworksinthisveryjoyfulplaceandshelikesthere.

“IfeltIbecameafavouriteintheneighbourhood.WheneverIwentout,Iheardonallsidescordialsalutations,andwaswelcomedwithfriendlysmiles.Toliveamidstgeneralregard,thoughtitbebuttheregardofworkingpeople,islikesittinginsunshine,calmandsweet,sereneinwardfeelingsbudandbloomundertheray.Atthisperiodofmylife,myheartfaroftenerswelledwiththankfulnessthansankwithdejection.”④AllthisthingsshowJane’spersonality,self-improvement.

B.JaneEyre’sSelf-respect

1.JaneEyreMeetingwithMr.Rochester

AtThornfield,acomfortablethree-storycountryestate,Janeiswarmlywelcomed.Shelikesbothhernewpupil,AdèleVarens,andMrs.Fairfax,thehousekeeperatThornfield,butissoonrestless.OneJanuaryafternoon,whilewalkingtoMillcotetomailaletter,Janehelpsahorsemanwhosehorsehasslippedonapatchoficeandfallen.ReturningtoThornfield,JanediscoversthatthismanisEdwardFairfaxRochester,theownerofThornfieldandheremployer.Heisadark-haired,moodymaninhislatethirties.Althoughheisoftentaciturn,Janegrowsfondofhismysterious,passionatenature.

Fromthefirstmeetingwithhim,wecanseeJane’spositionasahelperinMr.Rochester’smind.Whenoneafternoonsheisonherwaytothepostoffice,JanemeetswithMr.Rochesterunexpectedly.Andafter,sheoffershimhelpseveraltimessincehefallsfromhishorse,Mr.Rochesterstill‘hadhardlyturnedhiseyesinJane’sdirectionbefore’.FromthissentencewecanseethatMr.Rochesterisveryhaughty,heisnotamanwhoisamiableandeasytoapproach.Inmyopinion,asanordinaryperson,weshouldexpressourgoodmannerstoastrangerifothersoffersushelp,butMr.Rochestershowshisideasquitedifferent.Fromtheirfirstmeetingunexpectedly,Mr.RochesterknowsthegirlwhohelpshimoutofthetroubleonhiswaytohishomeThornfieldishisgoverness.However,let’sseehowourhero-Rochester’sattitudetoJaneathisownhomeasamaster.OneeveningwhensheistoldatlastbyMrs.FairfaxtohaveteawithMr.Rochesterinthedrawing-room,Janeregardshisfirstinvitationasaceremonyandpreparesitstately.

Fromthesestatementsabove,it’snotdifficulttoseeMr.Rochesterisahaughtyandindifferentmaneithertohisservantortoapersonhedoesnotknowmuchperhapsasfarasheisconcerned,hehasnothingtosaytohisemployeesexceptgivingthemordersbecausehedoesnotthinkhisemployeeshavethesamelanguagestotalkwith.Asweknow,heisabachelorandhehastraveledmanynationsoftheworld.Notonlytheknowledgebutalsotheexperiencescanmakehimsuperiortothem.Soheseemstolookdownuponanypersonsinhishome.

Takeonemeetingasanexample.TheytalkaboutgiftandJane’sansweristhat:“sir,youhavenowgivenmemy‘cadeau’;Iamobligedtoyou‘itisthemeedteachersmostcovet-praiseoftheirpupils’progress.”⑤HereshowsJane’sself-respect.

2.JaneEyreFallinginLovewithMr.Rochester

Mr.RochesterandJanefallinloveconcernsandhaverevealedalotofproblemofUnitedKingdomsocietyandtelltoreader:Whatistheamatorybasis?Howgainhappymarriage?Whatpositionshouldthewomanhaveinthefamily?

Loveisthemostbeautifulcharacteristicofhumanbeings’lifeandlovecannotbemeasuredbyone’sstatus,powerorproperty.Inmostindividuals’life,peopleliketoseekameaningful,romanticrelationshipresultinginlove,commitment,companionshipandhappiness.Inmyopinion,itismostimportantthatamanandawomanhaveheartandfeelingsthatfindaperfectresponse,andalsohavemutualaffinity.Shakespearesays:“thecourseoftrueloveneverrunssmooth.”JaneandRochestergettrueloveafteralotofsufferings.JanelovesRochesterdeeplyalways-fromthebeginningtotheend.Thereshouldbenodistinctionofproperty,rankorageintruelove.JanefallsinlovewithMr.Rochester.Hewhohasrichexperienceandwisdomissofthearted,wealthyandinhighrankaswellashavingprideandrudeness.Janeloveshim,butnotforhiswealthandhighrank,becausehetreatsherequallyandinafriendlymanner,althoughsheispoorandinlowposition.Sheissuchanexcellentgirl,good,intelligent,consideratethatRochesterisattractedbyher.ItisJanebutnotsomeoneelsewhoRochesterloves.

Inordertoleadalifeofindependence,JaneworksasagovernessatThornfieldHall.Sheislookeddownuponbytherichladiesofthefashionablesociety,butsheneverdespisesherself,sheneverfeelsherselfinferior.Sheissatisfiedwith,andevenproudofherhonest,independencework.Rochesterisattractedtoherqualificationofmind,courage,independence,andstrongpersonality,andfallsinlovewithher.ButitisJaneEyrewhodeclaresherlovetoRochesterbeforehemakeshissentimentcleartoher,“Doyouthink,becauseIampoor,obscure,plain,andlittle,Iamsoullessandheartless?”shecries,“Youthinkwrong!-Ihaveasmuchsoulasyou,-andfullasmuchheart!Andifgodhadgiftedmewithsomebeauty,andmuchwealth,Ishouldhavemadeitashardforyoutoleaveme,asitisnowformetoleaveyou.Iamnottalkingtoyouthroughthemediumofcustom,conversation,norevenofmortalflesh;-itismyspiritthataddressesyourspirit;justasifbothhadpassedthoughthegrave,andwestoodatGod’sfeet,equal,-asweare!”⑥Here,“equal”istheword,shelovesRochesterjustbecauseheregardsherasahumanbeing,ormoreimportantly,asanequalperson.Equalityiswhatshestrivesfor,andinhimshefindswhatshestrivesfor.ItshowsthatJaneisnotverymatureinmind.WithoutRochester,hermateriallifecan’tbeaffected,butshecan’tpartfromRochesterinspiritandemotion.RochesterwinsJane’sheart,becauseshefeelstheyarekindredspirits,andbecauseheisthefirstpersoninthenoveltoofferJanelastingloveandarealhome.

Janeishonest,noble,pure,intelligentnottoacceptcontaminatingofcommoncustomssociety,shehasacceptedhislovejustnow,andhasagreedtogetmarriedwithRochester.

3.JaneEyreDeviatingfromMr.Rochester

Finally,theycangetmarried,butitisnotsmooth.AtthistimeMasonappearstowedding,hespeaksMr.RochesterhasawifeandshelivesintheThornfieldHall,(thiswomenisthatthecrazywomanfrequentlyappearstolooklikeghost).WhenJaneknowsallthings,shefeelsembarrassedverymuch,butshedecidestoleavethere.

Ifsheleaves,shecanretainherself-respect;ifshestays,shewillbecomeRochester’smistress.Finally,shedecidestoleaveThornfieldHall.BecauselivingwithRochesterashismistressmeansthelossofherdignity.

Rochester’soppressiondoesnotcomefromthefactthatRochesterwantstomarryJanewithouttellingherhismadwife’sstory.HerethepointisthatRochester’sloveoppressesJaneandjeopardizesherindependence.Janeknows,facingRochester,sheisnolongerasindependentasbefore.Jane’sheartisalwaysinastateofintensestruggle.HerwillingdevotesherselftoRochester,butshestilltriestograspherownsoul.Whenthesecretisdiscovered,RochesterhopesthatJanecangowithherinthenameoflove.Janeisnearlyshaken.Afterall,shekeepsherindividualsoul.

WhydoesJaneleave?Inmyopinion,whenhemeetsJane,Rochesterisplanningtochangehislifestyle.Givinguphiswild,dissipatedlifeonthecontinent,he’ssearchingforfreshnessandfreedom.Rochester’sgoalisself-transformation,areformationtobeenactedthroughhisrelationshipswithwomen.Longingforinnocenceandpurity,hewantsJanetobethegoodangelinhislife,creatingnewharmony.Despitethesedesiresforanewlife,Rochesterisstillcaughtinawebofliesandimmorality:HeattemptsbigamyandthentriestoconvinceJanetobehismistress.HealsotriestoobjectifyJanebyclothingherinexpensivesatinsandlaces,leavingherfeelinglikea“performingape.”AlthoughRochesterhascritiquedBlancheIngramandCélineVarensfortheirmaterialismandsuperficiality,hereheseemstobemimickingthem.Rochester’spassionsandmaterialismneedtobedisciplinedbeforehecanbetheproperhusbandforJane.

4.JaneEyreRefusingMr.St.JohnRiver’sCourting

St.JohnRiversiscold,hard-hearted,andrepressed.Hishandsomeappearanceindicatesmoralandintellectualsuperiority-hehas“astraight,classicnose;quiteanAthenianmouthandchin”-andcontrastswithRochester’smoreruggedfeatures.AlthoughSt.Johninitiallyappearsperfect,Janesoondetectsarestlessnessor

hardnessunderhisseeminglyplacidfeatures.Heis“nolongerflesh,butmarble”andhisheartseemsmadeof“stoneormetal.”Hisreserveandbroodingsuggestatroublednature,andhiszealousChristianityoffershimneitherserenitynorsolace.St.John’sfeelingsaboutChristianityarerevealedinhissermons,whichhavea“strictlyrestrainedzeal”thatshowshisbitternessandhardness.WhileRochesterventshispassions,St.Johnrepresseshis.TheicinessofSt.John’scharacterismostpronouncedinhisrelationshipwithRosamondOliver.Althoughhe“flushes”and“kindles”atthesightofher,St.Johnwouldratherturnhimselfinto“anautomaton”thansuccumbtoRosamond’sbeautyorfortune.HisambitioncutsSt.Johnofffromalldeephumanemotions.St.Johnwouldliketohavebeenapolitician,apoet,oranythingthatcouldhaveofferedhimglory,fame,andpower.Hissolutionistobecomeamissionary,apositionthatwillrequirealloftheseskills.

InJane’spointofview,Johnisselfishandcold-blooded.JohndecidestotraveltoIndiaasamissionaryandheasksJanetogowithhimashiswife.JaneagreestogotoIndiabutrefusestomarryhercousinbecauseshedoesnotlovehim.OrwecouldsaySt.JohnplanstobecomeamissionaryinIndia.HetriestoconvinceJanetoaccompanyhim,ashiswife.RealizingthatSt.Johndoesn’tloveherbutjustwantstousehertoaccomplishhisgoals,Janerefuseshisrequest,butsuggestsacompromisebyagreeingtofollowhimtoIndiaasacomrade,butnotasawife.ShehasfinallyrefusedSt.John.River’scourting.

Womenarenotactingarolethatsocietyappointtothem,womenshouldthrowtheirownendeavor,pursuetoequalintheeconomy,marriage,characterandsocietyposition.

II.JaneEyre’sLoveandItsReflection

A.JaneEyre’sLove

TheoppressorJanehasisMr.Rochester,mostwritersagreethatthethemeofJaneEyreisthesearchforlove.Lawerencehassaid,”Thenovelisrevolutionaryinitstreatmentoflove.”

TrueloveisveryimportanttoJane.JaneimmediatelyleavesMoorHousetosearchforhertruelove,Rochester.ShediscoversThornfieldaburnedwreck,justaspredictedinherdreams.Fromalocalinnkeeper,shelearnsthatBerthaMasonburnedthehousedownonenightandthatRochesterlostaneyeandahandwhiletryingtosaveherandtheservants.HenowlivesinseclusionatFerndean.JaneimmediatelydrivestoFerndean.Thereshediscoversapowerless,unhappyRochester.Janecarriesatraytohimandrevealsheridentity.Thetwoloversarejoyfullyreunitedandsoonmarry.

Inmyopinion,thefollowingwordsshowherinnermind:“DoyoubelieveIamoneautomationmachine?Doesnotonehavetheaffectionmachine?Canletmymouthapieceofbreadcomplywithme;splashawayinthecupletmydropofwatercomplywithme?YouthinkbecauseofIampoor,lowandunbeautiful,Idonothavesoul?Youhavemistake!---Mysoulandyouarethesame;myheartcompletenessalsowithyouisthesame!IfGodgivemealittlebeautifulandwealth,Iwillletyoufeelbeingdifficulttoleaveme,youaresameaslikeIamdifficulttoleave.Iamreallynottopassconvention,evennotbythehumanbodyofordinarypersonwithtalkaboutyou---butmyspiritisspeakinginthespiritwithyou;liketwopeoplegothroughgravethatwestandisequalbeforeGod''''sfoot,becauseofweareequal!”⑦

Hereisadialogue:“Ah!Jane,butIwantawife”“Doyou,sir“Yes;isitnewstoyou?”“Ofcourse:yousaidnothingaboutitbefore”“Isitunwelcomenews?”“Thatdependsoncircumstances,sir-onyourchoice.”“Whichyoushallmakeforme,Jane.Iwillabidebyyourdecision.”“Choosethen,sir-herwholovesyoubest.”Iwillatleastchoose–herIlovebest.Jane,willyoumarryme?”“Yes,sir.”“Apoorblindman,whomyouwillhavetoleadaboutbythehand?”“Yes,sir.”“Acrippledman,twentyyearsolderthanyou,whomyouwillhavetowaiton?”“Yes,sir.”“Truly,Jane?”“Mosttruly,sir.”“Oh!Mydarling!Godblessyouandrewardyou!”⑧Hereshowstheirloveishappiness.

B．JaneEyre’sRebellion

Janeissuchaself-respecting,impendenceanddecisivewoman.AlthoughartisticandeducationalpursuitsareessentialelementsofJane’spersonality,shealsofeelsaneedtoassertheridentitythroughrebellion.Intheopeningchaptersofthenovel,Janereferstoherselfasa“rebellingslave,”andthroughoutthestorysheopposestheforcesthatpreventherfromfindinghappiness:Mrs.Reed’sunfairaccusations,Rochester’sattempttomakeherhismistress,andSt.John’sdesiretotransformherintoamissionarywife.ByfallinginlovewithRochester,sheimplicitlymutiniesagainstthedictatesofclassboundariesthatrelegateher,asagoverness,toalowerstatusthanher“master.”Besidesrejectingtraditionalviewsofclass,shealsodenigratessociety’sattemptstorestrictwomen’sactivities.Women,sheargues,needactivepursuitsandintellectualstimulation,justasmendo.MostofJane’srebellionstargettheinequitiesofsociety,butmuchofherpersonalityisfairlyconventional.Infact,sheoftenseemstoprovideamodelofproperEnglishwomanhood:frank,sincere,andlackinginpersonalvanity.

Jane’spersonalitybalancessocialawarenesswithspiritualpower.Throughoutthenovel,Janeisreferredtoasanimp,afairy,arelativeofthe“meningreen.”Asfairy,Janeidentifiesherselfasaspecial,magicalcreature.ConnectingherselfwiththemythicalbeingsinBessie’sstories,Janeisaffiliatedwiththerealmsofimagination,withthefantastic.Jane’spsychicalabilitiesaren’tmerelyimaginary:herdreamsandvisionshavearealimpactonherlife.Forexample,supernaturalexperiences,heraldsofvisions“fromanotherworld,”foreshadowdrasticchangesinJane’slife,suchashermovefromGatesheadtoLowood,orherrediscoveryofRochesteraftertheirtimeapart.Thus,Jane’sspiritualityisn’tapureChristianone—infact,sherejectsmanyoftheChristiancharactersinthenovel,suchasSt.JohnRivers,ElizaReed,andMr.Brocklehurst—butamixtureofChristianandpaganideas.Likenature,Jane’sGodisfilledwithbounty,compassion,andforgiveness—qualitieslackinginmanyofthespiritualleadersshecriticizesinthenovel.

C．JaneEyre’sWomenConsciousness

JaneEyre’swomenconsciousnessisfarbeyondVictoriantimes.In19thcentury,womendidnothaveanystatus.Theywerediscriminatedagainstandconceivedofasapeopleinferiortomen.ThatwaswhyJaneEyrewascriticizedbysomepeople.LionelStevensonsaid,“JaneEyrewasanintolerablerenegadefromallthestandardsofbehaviorexpectedofrespectablegirls.”

InJane’slife,sheneverstopsstrugglingagainstmiserablelifeandmisfortune.Shehasnotnobleposition,anillustriousbackground,wealthorabeautifulappearance.Theonlyproudthingforherisherself-respectwhichissupportedbyherself-confidenceandherstaunchindependence.SheneverexpectsthatRochestercanloveherbecauseshethinksthereisabiggapbetweenthemforever.Whentheyfallinlove,Janehastokeepherself-respectandimpendenceincaseoflosingherself.WhatshecangivetoRochesterisonlyherlove,herinfatuation,herspiritualsupportandnothingelse.However,whatRochestergivesherismorethanhers.HecanalsoimproveJaneEyre’ssocialstatusandincreaseherwealth.Thissituationmakesherfeelthattheyarenotquiteequalandherindependenceisalsothreatened.

Jane’swomenconsciousnessandherstrugglingexperiencesetabrilliantexampleforthefemaleworldwide.Herspiritencourageswomentofightforliberation.JaneEyretellsnotonlywhatanindependentwomanislikebutalsowhatasuccessfulwomanshoulddo.

Conclusion

JaneEyreisapowerfulnarrativewithprofoundthemesconcerninggenders,family,passion,andidentity.ItisunambiguouslyoneofthemostcelebratednovelsinBritishliterature.Thenoveliswritteninthefirstperson,andthusmagnifiesthecentralcharacterthereaderenterstheworldofJaneEyre.Thismakestheworkmeaningful,especiallysinceweknowthatCharlottesBronte’sownlifeandexperiencesweresocloselyinterwovenwiththeheroine’s.

JaneEyreispoorbutaspiring,smallinbodybuthugeinsoul,obscurebutself-respectinggirl.Afterweclosethecoversofthebook,afterhavingalongjourneyofthespirit,JaneEyre,amarvelousfigure,hasleftussomuchtorecallandtothink:Werememberherstrivingforlife,hertoughnessandherconfidence…Whenwethinkofthisgirl,whatshegivesusisnotaprettyfaceoratranscendenttemperamentthatmakeusadmiredeeply,butahugecharmofherpersonality.Thestorycanbeinterpretedasasymboloftheindependentspirit.AswerefertothenovelJaneEyre,itisnotsurprisingtofindsomedifferencesbecauseofitsbeingfilmizedandretoldinanewway,butthespiritofthenovelremainstobeanindependentperson,physicallyandmentally.

Notes

①.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p51.

②.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p53.

③.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p345.

④.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p362.

⑤.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p117.

⑥.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,pp249-250.

⑦.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,pp249-250.

⑧.Bronte,Charlotte.JaneEyre.北京：当代中国出版社,2002,p441.

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