Jane's Ceaseless Search For Love And Acceptance example essay topic

'You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of kindness; but I can not live so: and you have no pity. ' (p. 45) A prevailing theme of Jane Eyre is Jane's ceaseless search for love and acceptance. Jane journeys throughout England in search of love, which she has been deprived of at Gateshead. As a young girl of eight, she plainly seeks comfort and care, but following her departure from Lowood, her maturation creates her desire for love. Jane's plight is her lack of love which drives her to restlessly search for it, during her journey's through Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, and Marsh End.

Jane's search begins at Gateshead, during her struggle under the oppressive rule of Mrs. Reed. She explains that she is discriminated against by the household members, and is exempted from activities. The lack of love she relieves leads her to feel lost and uncared for. She finds a glimmer of under sanding and care from Bessie, who pities her unfortunate situation.

On her arrival at Lowood, she again finds herself lonely and unwanted. The cold weather and meager meals damper her hopes of renewing her life and feeling wanted. But her continual hope for acceptance leads her to discover Helen Burns. Helen teaches Jane that love doesn't always have to come from others, but that it come through having faith in god. Jane looks to Helen as a role model but doesn't feel that she can be satisfied so ley through spiritual love. Through Jane's acquaintance with Helen, she finds further comfort from Ms. Temple.

Ms. Temple makes Jane feel significant and gives Jane a taste of what she needs to continue her pursuit for love. Jane's search continues at Thornfield. She has now matured into a young adult, and finds her life as a governess rather dull and limited. She lacks a sense of fulfillment and finds limited affection from Adele and Mrs. Fairfax.

When Jane first encounters Mr. Rochester, the focus of her life shifts. Jane becomes nervous about exposing her hidden feelings for Mr. Rochester as she is unsure about his feelings towards her. She shields her inner feelings from Mr. Rochester manipulative way of conversation. Jane secretly loves Mr. Rochester but feels that she physically lacks the qualities to act upon her feelings. This is evident during when Jane looks into the mirror at Thornfield and describes herself. She is further discouraged by Mr. Rochester's with Blanche Ingram.

It comes to Jane as a surprise when Mr. Rochester begs of her love and marriage. When Jane discovers the of marriage with Mr. Rochester, her dreams become shattered and she feels the burden of deceit and pity for herself. Her feelings are further dampened by her homeless struggle on the streets after running away from Thornfield. She finds St. John who offers her conditional love and marriage, based on her willingness to devote her life towards god. Jane realizes that St. John's proposal concerns fulfilling a towards god with an ideal partner, and lacks the love she had been offered by Mr. Rochester.

Jane decides that accepting such a proposal would not provide true happiness, and as a result, Jane follows the calling voice of Mr. Rochester to re-encounter true love. Jane Eyre displays the traditional moral that happiness can only be found through love. While lacking this element, Jane's search for love is continually driven by her strong character which is guided by her virtues. The marriage marks that end of her quest for contentment in life; a life that otherwise seemed meaningless. In the end, Jane finds what she had been painstakingly searched for. There are those of us who can not live without fame and there are others who can not live without challenges, but Jane Eyre could not live without love.