The Significance of The Character of Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is considered a classic for many reasons: it goes beyond what is expected as a standard, it travels through time, and has a universal appeal. The significance of her character, in both the film and the novel, is unparalleled to any other female heroine; she has a complicated female character, at the same time, has a determined spirit which is the opposite of how the women are perceived during that time. The general foundation of her story can be reflected in various forms and elements; social criticism which focuses on discrimination during the era, her sexual awakening, upholding a strong sense of morality and shows the early signs of feminism.

As a character, Jane Eyre is headstrong, very independent, and operates entirely on her own moral compass. She is not willing to bend to the will of her custodian (aunt and cousins), her headmaster, or the man that she loves, which wasn't a conventional attribute. Women, back in the days, were supposed to be submissive and get married as soon as someone asks them. It was evident when St. John proposed marriage to her, Jane declined in accordance with her feelings and moral judgment. Also, Jane Eyre transcends generations. While it is set during the 1800s in England, the theme and plot are easily accessible, relatable and timeless. Her quest to be loved by her family (biological or not), her friends, then her paramour, is evident despite her strong character. She is able to grow and understand that there is a way to be loved and to be independent at both times. Helen Burns helped her to find herself, to have faith, and to care about herself above anyone. And despite her death, she treasured every memory of it. Many people today can relate or have these experiences; the feeling of not being valued, or they don't know who they are. This echoes when Jane expresses: “It is far better to endure patiently an insult which nobody feels but yourself. It is weak and silly to say that you cannot bear what your fate requires you to bear.” By understanding Jane’s struggles, feelings, and motivations, though she is from a very different place and time, it resonates universally.

Another reason that makes Jane Eyre a timeless literary work is because of its adaptability. The novel has spawned numerous adaptations in various art forms. It has been frequently turned into a film but has equal versions in radio, television and theatre are available. At the same time, it has inspired a number of rewritings and reinterpretations based on its original essence. The 2011 film version by Cary Fukunaga captures all the essential elements of the source material, has given a new meaning to a text, and lastly, able to take the challenge of turning a beloved work of classic literature into a movie. Furthermore, the film was able to retell the beloved tale with a sharp sense of emotional without sacrificing the contextual essence of the novel.

Reflecting on the elements of the novel, the movie mirrored the different forms of discrimination of the period, namely: depiction of women face in a male dominating society – when St. John asks her to marry him and to go with him to India, not out of love, but out of duty; cruelty in Gateshead – when Jane is poorly treated by the Reed family, even though Mrs. Reed had agreed to take her in; and social class – when Jane was invited to be in the drawing room by Mr. Rochester and the guests, specifically Blanche Ingram, disrespectfully regarded her, by saying: “I had about half a dozen (governess) in my day, all detestable incubi,” knowing Jane’s governess status in the Thornfield Hall. Also, the book has made public during the Victorian era, a time of sexual repression. In the movie, the sexual tension between Mr. Rochester and Jane can be symbolically reflected by fire through the following scenes; when Jane was summoned to meet Mr. Rochester in the fireplace, when part of Mr. Rochester’s room was ablaze and Jane saved him, and lastly, when Thornfield Hall was burned down by Rochester’s wife, Bertha. The fire motif signifies the burning passion between Rochester and Jane, and the way they test each other with little glance and snubs, and a prelude to their first kiss. Despite their perceptible age gap, which can be considered indecent to some extent, casting the characters is crucial and was done appropriately. The actors chosen to play the roles; Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, has embodied the innocence, desire, and passion giving intensity to the characters they portray. On the other hand, the struggles to find the right balance between moral duty and earthly desires have been profoundly expressed in different nuances. One example, Jane could not marry Rochester as he had another wife who was still alive, and if she had gone ahead with the marriage, it would have made her a mistress, an immoral sin on religious context. On a different tone, cruel and wicked people would have things in their own way and so they would never change but would get worse. Mrs. Reed, even on her death bed, loathes Jane to the core, and even considers her as her “torment”. The act of compassion instill in Jane resonates in the movie when she said told Mrs. Reed; “I would have loved you if you'd let me... love me or hate me as you will. You have my full and free forgiveness.” Finally, the general attitude of Jane can be perceived differently during her time, but she exhibited the early views, if not the first, of feminism. Throughout history in women, she displays, who believe that they deserve to be the equals of men. Jane speaks her mind and gives her opinion even when not asked, it shows that women, like men, can be bold and express themselves if they want to. Even now, women are fighting for equal rights, equal pay, and how they want to be viewed at the same level as men. Women of today and throughout history can find strength in Jane's words and actions and see that they can be independent; not submissive and below men.

To conclude, Jane Eyre is not only an important symbol in the literary world, and her legacy has transcended norms of her time, gender, social class, and even moral stance. The way how her story, image, and voice can be seen, heard and transpired through various media forms made her one of the greatest female heroines.