Can somebody explain to me how Jane Eyre learns proper feminism from the women in the book Jane Eyre?

Question

Also, please help me figure out which are positive and negative role models =) It will be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I'm not so sure that I understand the first part of your question. Jane Eyre is who she is. I don't believe Jane Eyre learned feminism at all. She was an independent girl and woman, with a strong sense of what was right and what was wrong. You could say she was a precursor to a feminist just by being herself. She grew up first with relatives who treated her harshly and then in Lowood school, where she had to rely on herself to survive. Helen Burns taught her patience, perseverance and forgiveness, but the strength was already within Jane.

Miss Temple is the first woman who shows Jane that she is important, and Miss Temple's role in the school is one of great importance. It's also obvious to Jane that Miss Temple neither agrees with nor likes Mr. Brocklehurst. I suppose you could make a loose connection that this teaches her a measure of feminism.

Some positive role models:

-Helen Burns

-Bessie (the servant at the Reeds' house, somewhat positive...in that she ended up being kind to Jane and caring for her)

-Miss Temple (from Lowood)

-Diana and Mary (her other cousins, sisters of St. John - I'm torn about St. John because, though he is charitable, he's rigid)

Some negative role models:

-Aunt Reed

-John, Georgiana, Eliza (her cousins)

-Mr. Brocklehurst

-Miss Scatcherd (teacher at Lowood who hated Helen Burns)

I hope this helps.