Character Growth in Jane Eyre Essay

We are made strong by what we overcome. These words said by John Burroughsv directly apply to the main character in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre. The character referred to is Jane Eyre herself, who grows exponentially in the novel. From an abused child to a strong young woman, Jane sheds her skin to become what always lied beneath. In Chapter 21, Jane visits the place of her childhood and proves her newborn strength.

I had once vowed that I would never call her aunt again: I thought it no sin to forget and break that vow now. My fingers had fastened on her hand which lay outside the sheet: had she pressed mine kindly, I should at that moment have experienced true pleasure. But unimpressionable natures are not so soon softened, nor are natural antipathies so readily eradicated. Mrs. Reed took her hand away, and, turning her face rather from me, she remarked that the night was warm. Again she regarded me so icily, I felt at once that her opinion of me--her feeling towards me--was unchanged and unchangeable. I knew by her stony eye--opaque to tenderness, indissoluble to tears--that she was resolved to consider me bad to the last; because to believe me good would give her no generous pleasure: only a sense of mortification (Bronte). Rather than wondering what she is doing wrong, Jane finally realizes that Mrs. Reeds disliking of her is not her fault; that no matter what, Mrs. Reed will find something wrong with her. Jane also shows much strength by finally forgiving her aunt and by accepting herself: Love me, then, or hate me, as you will you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God's, and be at peace (Bronte). You can truly see Janes strength when she feels sorry for all of the hat held within Mrs. Reed, and thinks Poor, suffering woman! it was too late for her to make now the effort to change her habitual frame of mind: living, she had ever hated me--dying, she must hate me still (Bronte) Even when Jane is told such bad things about herself, she proves herself the strong, independent woman developing within her every day. As you can see, Jane passes the ultimate test of strength and courage when she forgives Mrs. Reed, and herself.

Although Jane goes through a lot of hardships throughout her life, visiting her aunt in her deathbed is perhaps the toughest of them all. The amount of strength required of Jane to get through this on top is a hefty load. However, when she does succeed in making a visit that she is proud of, one can conclude that Jane is stronger than anyone could have guessed. This visit with her aunt prepares Jane for even more tests of her newfound strength, which occur later on in the novel. With this strength, Jane can be confident that she will stand strong in whatever situation she will be faced with.