Dogs in the Eyes of Human Nature

During the Victorian era, ranging from 1837-1901, women were expected to conform to society and thought of on a lower social standing than men, but in the novel Jane Eyre, Brontë shows the contrary side of this through Jane. While most female protagonists until Jane were beautiful weak women, Brontë told her sisters that she would create "a heroine as plain and small as [herself], who shall be as interesting as any of [theirs]." Jane is Brontë's example of a new heroine throughout Jane Eyre because she breaks way from the barriers of this time period by standing up for herself, not being beautiful - but plain, and because she is determined to gain equality to men.

In Jane Eyre, Brontë strives to create a new heroine who possesses early feminist qualities by using Jane. Jane illustrates these qualities by enclosing herself even further, giving everyone her honest answers - not what they want to hear, and standing up for herself. Jane encloses herself because she does not want to be part of a family who won't accept her because she is different. Another way Jane shows that she possesses early feminist qualities is when she gives her honest answers in the interview with Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane does not tell him what she thinks he wants her to say, but instead tells the truth. This is different than what many other girls in this time period would do because it is considered disrespectful. Jane also proves to be that of the new heroine by standing up for herself to Mrs. Reed. When she is leaving her aunt's house, Jane tells her Mrs. Reed that she will never refer to her as her aunt ever again and that she will have a much better life without her. Mrs. Reed doesn't know what to think of the situation because she believes that nobody should talk to their elders the way Jane did. Jane is a true example of a new heroine with feminist qualities, illustrating them throughout the early chapters of Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre.

Throughout Jane Eyre, Brontë

how does jane exemplify being that of a new heroine by being plain

...