Jane's Every Action is A Reaction

Book ... Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Analysis ... How far does the development of the narrative depend upon the heroine’s reaction to forces outside herself?
Year ... 1998

… The scene where Jane shouts at Mrs. Sarah Reed after being called ‘deceitful’ by Mrs. Brocklehurst.

… ‘I will say the very thought of you makes me sick and that you treated me with miserable cruelty.’ – Jane Eyre, Chapter 4

… At Lowood, Jane is distressed in being publicly humiliated by Mrs. Brocklehurst. She cries and cries and is very upset even after Helen Burns comforts her.
‘nothing sustained me;’ – Jane Eyre, Chapter 8

… Her next reaction comes with the marriage of Miss Temple. Jane perceives herself in need of a charge and therefore advertises in a newspaper that she is willing to be a governess. But before that we see that not being wanted at Gateshead, Jane continued to stay at Lowood even though her time of education had finished. She continued teaching at Lowood for two years.

… At Thornfield, she reacts differently at various times. We see her become scared at the thought of the owner’s arrival. We see her coming face to face with a man for one of rare moments in her life. In her narrative, we too experience the moment as exhilarating as her.

… Watch her happiness bloom as Mr. Rochester’s proposal and the month in which he loved her.

… Observe her fear as she tells Mr. Rochester of the great creature who tore her veil and feel her heart break at the wedding when she finds out that Mr. Rochester is already married.

… Jane then runs away to Whitecross and comes across Marsh End.

… Watch her go to work as a teacher at Morton. The proposal from St. John comes suddenly and is shocking to Jane. She reacts by refusing him and returning to Mr. Rochester.

… At Ferndean, Jane accepts Mr. Rochester, literally, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. Note also that Jane may have had it in her nature to shun Mr. Rochester for his deformities but it is a universal truth, from ancient times till now, love is a forceful nature that lies beyond our control.