Jane Eyre Question 3

There are many themes in the novel Jane Eyre. The universal theme of this book is misfortune and adversity are rewarded. Jane goes through many obstacles and unfairness in the novel Jane Eyre. For example Jane was an orphan. She was living with a aunt that did not like or love her and she was getting abused (Bronte 10). This was a bad situation but without it she would not have met Bessie, who became a great friend. Without her experience with her aunt and cousins at Gateshead she would not have gone to Lowood where she received a education( Bronte Ch 7). Another example is when Jane is embarrassed and called a liar by Mr. Brocklehurst in front of the whole Lowood school. Jane is very embarrassed but because of the situation she made friends with Helen and Mss. Temple. Jane's good work at the school lead her to a job at Thornfield. At Thornfield Jane was embarrassed many times at Thornfield because of her job as a governess and her relationship with Mr. Rochester. Jane is treated coldly by Mrs. Fairfax because she thought Jane kissed Rochester before they were engaged(Bronte 288-289). Worst comes to worst when Jane discovers her fiancé is already married (Bronte 346-370 ). Jane leaves Thornfield and meets St. John, Diana, Hannah, and Mary. She starts teaching and gets a home. She then discovers she and St. John are cousins. She finally has family. As you can see the misfortunes in Jane's life turn out good or are rewarded. This is a universal theme because it shows readers there is always a brighter side to things.

The author understood human nature because she writes about realistic situations and realistic solutions and rewards. Charlotte Bronte writes about things that could be important to a real person. That is why I think she understands human nature.

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Ed. Margaret Smith. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.