Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is written during a time when women had little rights and little options in life. Society viewed women as second class citizens, especially in England. Bronte's use of Jane Eyre in her novel is to challenge a primitive society, which looks down on women and their value in nineteenth century England. The effectiveness of Bronte's argument is due to both her motivation and approach. Bronte found her motivation from the experiences she had undergone while living in the nineteenth century.
Bronte's approach in promoting social reform is to establish Jane as a model for readers. Readers are meant to examine Jane's life, especially the manner in which she handles problems or confrontations in her relationships, and to follow her example in their own lives. Jane steps past the boundaries set for women in society during this era in her behaviour, which challenges the views held in the nineteenth century.
English: Title page, first edition, en:Jane Eyre.
English: North Lees Hall, Hathersage. Charlotte Br...
English: North Lees Hall and out buildings Otherwi...Bronte uses the motivation of personal experiences to create the life of Jane Eyre in which we see the quest for social betterment through her relationships.
Bronte herself experienced the social limitations of the nineteenth century. During this time women had very few options in life beyond marriage, teaching children, and becoming Governesses. Bronte wrote Jane Eyre, a novel which showcases a new movement for women and a better of their lives. This novel not only proved the capability of a women author in Charlotte Bronte, but also through Jane, gives readers hope as they view a young heroine who has a strong desire and struggles for independence in a society which does not encourage this. Because of the prejudices against women, Bronte felt that any opportunity for literary success would be ruined because of her gender. For this reason the first editions of Jane Eyre...