Paula Stops

Jane Eyre AP Free Response Essay Question A

September 11, 2015

Jane Eyre led a life consisting of a series of unfortunate events. Although this may seem
quite miserable, it was what allowed her to gain shape and knowledge to discover her true self.
Jane's departure from Thornfield is one of the unfortunate, yet beneficial events that enable
Charlotte Bronte to develop Jane as a intelligent and sophisticated lady straying from the norms
of the Victorian Era. From the very beginning of her leave from Thornfield, Jane knew she
would be grieving, but only for the greater good of keeping her self-respect and growing as a
person. She acquired information of this kind through multiple events that take place after her
departure.
By leaving Thornfield behind, Jane also left behind any financial or emotional support
she had. She faced a series of rejection from various people, including Moor House initially.
However, after being accepted in by the Riveres, her relationship with the siblings grew
tremendously. She learned from this companionship that her love with Rochester was one that
was unfair. She was giving more than taking because he had been the only man to ever show her
emotions like that. With the Riveres, the give and take of love and care is equal. Although she
was still not happy about leaving Thornfield behind, she realized that it was the right choice
because she knew she was worth more than an unfair compromise of love. She also realized that
she would not allow a little bit of happiness brought upon her by another being loving her
overshadow the happiness that she can bring to herself by doing the same thing.
Additionally, her departure from Thornfield led her to a path of inherited riches.
Although, initially unknown, the Riveres and Jane turned out to be long lost cousins. Upon Jane's
uncle's death, St. John was asked to pass on the 20,000 pounds to Jane as a part of her uncle's
will. From this experience, Bronte exposed to the reader that Jane was now financially equivalent
to Rochester. She had no need to feel that she was inferior to him because she could support

Paula Stops
Jane Eyre AP Free Response Essay Question A

September 11, 2015

herself without his help. The reader also learns that Jane has a very giving heart because she split
her newly inherited riches evenly amongst the 3 siblings and herself. Bronte was able to
demonstrate to the reader that regardless of all the challenges Jane has faced, she still wants to be
able to help others in any way she can.
Lastly, Jane's decision to withdraw herself from the company of her closest companion,
Rochester, was ultimately what brought her back to him. Her leave from Thornfield enabled her
to develop relationships with various other beings, including St. John. St. John, although loves
Rosamond, continues to pursue Jane as a potential spouse. Jane's continuous rejection of his
proposal exemplifies that she had learned to distinguish when she should use her mind versus her
heart. Her mind told her to go with St. John to fulfill moral duty, but her heart told her to go with
Rochester to fulfill the gap of marital love in her life. At this point in Jane's life, more so than
any other, she had realized the value of Rochester's love. She was about to enter a loveless
marriage, but upon recalling all that Rochester offered her, she discontinued and followed her
heart instead.
Jane's fate to fall in love with Rochester, only to find out that he is married to another
woman, was heartbreaking. However, the heartbreak only lasted so long to bring her right back
where she belonged, but now, at the very right time. Charlotte Bronte brought Jane back to her
love when she had successfully demonstrated Jane as a strong, independent model for all women.
Jane's character suggests that refusing conformity to typical religious and societal expectations is
the key to finding and loving oneself, also the beginning of loving another person.