Developing+Themes

//**Section 1 (pgs. 1-52) #Bonnie **// "Social influences determine a person’s final destiny." Jane’s life as a child was extremely difficult. Her turmoil in her younger years shaped her personality and her outlook on life. These influenced her decisions which determined her final destiny.

"Womanhood is often established by an abrupt random crisis, sometimes at an unusually early age." The death of Jane's parents as a child caused her to be thrust into a harsh and unloving environment, forcing her to grow up in order to protect herself. Ironically, had she not grown up, she perhaps would have been more accepted by her 'family'. The adults in Jane's life were often intimidated by her maturity. This caused her to be isolated.

"Through alienation comes self knowledge." Jane's alienation at Gateshead as well as Lowood caused her to be very aware or herself. All of her time alone allowed her to reflect on her life and the condition of the world. She always knew that she was different than others her age, as well as many adults. Had she not been separated and cast out, she perhaps would not have realized or even grown these tendencies.

"Enjoy life now, for the present moment because we all die too soon." Jane's friend Helen dies of consumption at Lowood. At a young age, Helen was taken too soon. Although Jane is sad to see her go, Helen says that she felt little pain and was happy to leave the world's suffering behind.
 * //Section 2 (pgs. 52-142) #maanniego //**

"Womanhood is often established by an abrupt random crisis, sometimes at an unusually early age." The things that Jane goes through force her to grow up at an early age. With the death of her parents and her friend Helen, along with her hardships at Lowood, she is molded into a young adult. She experiences chaos and learns to deal with the unfairness of her life, instead of being spared her innocence as a child, as all children should.

"Social influences determine a person's final destiny." Jane feels herself developing more and more feelings for Mr. Rochester; however, she knows in her mind that it will never be because she is only a governess. Her social class is preventing her from being able to love the man she does for he is rich and she is merely his employee.
 * //Section 3 (pgs. 143-234) #rogersr981 //**

"Adversity shapes a person's character." <span style="font-family: 'palatino linotype','serif';">Jane has suffered throughout her life, whether it was the cruel treatment from Mrs. Reed or the harsh conditions at Lowood. From these hardships, Jane has indeed grown as a strong, independent woman. Her adversity early in life changed her to be how strong she is now.

<span style="font-family: 'palatino linotype','serif';">"A person's identity is determined by place in society." <span style="font-family: 'palatino linotype','serif';">Jane continually finds herself being put in her place as governess of the house, whether it be from her own thoughts or from Blanche Ingram, a potential wife for Mr. Rochester who wants to marry him for his money. Jane knows she doesn't stand a chance to be Mr. Rochester's wife because she is poor and a governess while Blanche is rich and has a higher social standing.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Society and a person's inner nature are always at war." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The society Jane is living in expects women to marry, be fully dedicated to their husbands, and take care of the house. Jane, on the other hand, does not want to be tied down and locked up for the rest of her life. Her free, independent nature is constantly fighting what society expects of her and other women, especially in this case.
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Section 4 (pgs. 234-333) #lindsiel96 //**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Adversity shapes a person's character." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">At this point, Jane has found herself growing to be an intelligent, headstrong, independent woman, and this is mostly due to the struggles she has faced thus far. Everything she has gone through has helped shape who she is and make her stronger, whether it's the struggles she's faced throughout her childhood or the struggles she's faced in her decision to leave Rochester and her life at Thornfield.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Family is the most important thing." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">In this section, Jane finds out that St. John, Diana, and Mary are her cousins. Jane is ecstatic about this because she has never had any true family. She makes sure that they are her number one priority and shares all of her fortune with them equally. Jane knows that family is the most important thing because she has never truly had any.
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Section 5 (pgs. 333-433) #giulid //**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Love conquers all." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">In the end, despite all that has happened, love prevails and Jane goes back to marry Mr. Rochester. No matter how bad the incident with Bertha, Jane realizes just how much she loves Mr. Rochester.