Jane's Feelings And Views On Life example essay topic

"Our thoughts determine our responses to life. We are not victims of the world. To the extent we control our thoughts, we control the world". This critical lens by H. Jackson Brown, represents the idea that we control our own destiny, and that what happens in our lives are products from decisions we have made.

I agree with this quote from because although outside factors like the weather or other people affects daily life, a person still has power and control over what happens. In Charlotte Bronte's book, Jane Eyre, Jane is an independent and "bold" woman of her time who refuses to accept standard life for women in the 1800's. Her firm belief in equality between people despite their age or class affects how she views the world, and also changes the way she lives her life. St. Paul, another character in Jane Eyre, is a stubborn independent man who has a strong faith, firm values and high morals, which make up his innermost thoughts. These thoughts dictate his decisions, including his decision to go to India. A third example is Jane's reaction to finding out that Rochester already has a wife.

She decides break off her engagement to Rochester and leave him for good. As a young girl, Jane shows that she is strong and has a determined pride despite the people who try to bring her down. Growing up a poor orphan, Jane has been treated with a low regard for much of her life. From Aunt Reed to Mr. Brocklehurst to Mr. Rochester's guests, she has been looked down upon for her plainness and poorness.

Despite this, she is still able to maintain her self-confidence and pride in who she is. Even when Aunt Reed punishes her for no good reason or when Miss Ingram quickly dismisses her when she enters a room Jane's feelings and views on life stay the same. And although she has a low status, she still has certain respectable morals like anyone else. All of her thoughts and feelings affect the way she chooses to deal with these situations as well. Because she is such a determined and feisty person, even when she is young she believes in sticking up for herself. When she is getting ready to leave Aunt Reed's house she expresses her feelings about Aunt Reed to her face.

"I am glad you are no relation of mine: I will never call you aunt again as long as I live. I will never come to see you when I am grown up; and if any one asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick, and that you treated me with miserable cruelty". (36) As a young girl she makes the decision reject all harsh treatment from others when she knows its wrong. This attitude she has stays true until the end of the story. In many scenes, Bronte conveys Jane's boldness in descriptive dialogue between other characters. An example of this is when Jane responds to Rochester after he asks her to stay with him".

Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automaton? -- -A machine without feelings? And can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup?" (257) St John Rivers, a devoted servant to god and like Jane, his thoughts and feelings control his decisions and ultimately his fate. He has one goal only in his mind; to become a missionary. St. John Rivers wants this so badly that he gives up his love, Rosamond to go to India.

A firm believer in god might believe that becoming a missionary is something predestined, however others might see St. John's decision as something he had complete control over. "A missionary I resolved to be. From the moment my state of mind changed; the fetters dissolved and dropped from every faculty, leaving nothing of bondage but its gulling soreness -- -which only time can heal... ". (368) When Jane finds out that Rochester already has a wife, a lot of thoughts and feelings go through her head.

A major repetitive conflict in this book is man versus self. Jane is continually trying to avoid contradicting herself and her beliefs. On the one hand she loves Rochester and knows that in her heart she should be with him, but on the other hand, her morals are too strong and she can't allow herself to become a mistress. "But the answer my mind gave to leave Thorn field at once, was so prompt so dread, that I stopped my ears". (302) If Jane was certain in her mind that there was no way she could stay with him or that there was no way she could leave him, her decision would not be so hard, but because she is torn it is almost impossible to decide.

This is a perfect example of her power over her situation. There isn't anyone forcing her to make a decision, it is all up to her and her own judgment. "But then, a voice within me averred that I could do it; and foretold me that I should do it. I must leave him". (302) Charlotte Bronte places her characters in situations where they have to make choices that determine their future.

Jane shows her determination by being bold and taking societal liberties. She also shows how strong her self-will is, when she decides to leave Rochester. St. John's decision to travel to India also supports the critical lens; "Our thoughts determine our responses to life.