Jane Eyre Blog #5 How does this novel reflect history, behavior, and social issues of the time period and setting? ect.

Jane Eyre is set in the mid 1800's which the author, Charlotte Bronte, lived in. I took note of the cultural differences and setting differences. The major cultural difference is how different women are treated during this era. Jane Eyre does not particularly conform to these social rules. She acts as she pleases. Women in this era are supposed to be cute, little house wives. They are supposed to do nothing but cater to their husbands. It was not considered appropriate for women to have their own lives and thoughts. When St. John asks her to marry him, he just assumes that she is going to say yes because it was a women's duty then to marry. She shocks him and says no, she has to think quite hard about her final decision. She considers become the perfect little missionary wife to a man she does not love. She stops herself because it is not in her character to marry a man she doesn't love when she is in love with Mr. Rochester. I think this book symbolises to women in that era that it was okay to be different and think for themselves, just like Jane Eyre did.


Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print.