Jane Eyre Question #8 Historical Events

The book Jane Eyre accurately portrays the historical events of the nineteenth century.  For example, because they were not as advanced in medicine as we are today, many people in England died of typhus.  Jane's parents and Helen Burns died of this disease, and many of the students at Lowood, where Jane attended school, died as well.  (Bronte 130)

Social inequality between men and women is a big issue in Jane Eyre.  The responsibilities between men and women are reflected through Jane's relationship to Mr. Rochester and St. John's marriage proposal to Jane.  St. John believes a wife should be like an assistant to her husband and the husband should be dominant in the relationship.  (Bronte 474)  Mr. Rochester, on the other hand, believes that a woman should be served by her husband and should not be expected to do anything in return but love him.  (Bronte 329)  The relationship between worker and employee is also represented by Jane and Mr. Rochester.  Jane is judged by Miss Fairfax initially after she tells her that Mr. Rochester, her employer, has asked her to marry her.  (Bronte 317)  It surprises her that they have fallen in love with each other because the relationship between boss and employee is usually kept professional.

Brontë, Charlotte, Susan Ostrov. Weisser, and George Stade. Jane Eyre. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2003. Electronic.