Sydney Voss-KernanMs. ConnorsAP English LanguageMarch 20, 2014Jane Eyre: The Heroin FeministJane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte can superficially be read simply as a sweet love story in which Jane ends up with the man of her dreams after overcoming many obstacles and challenges. But in doing so we lose the much deeper and richer messages of Bronte's enduring masterpiece. A more thoughtful reading reveals that this novel, particularly its heroine Jane, challenges age-old gender roles that assume male supremacy, characterizing men as the dominant and more privileged gender, while women are oppressed into inferior, subservient roles. Of course this Victorian novel portrays the gender roles expected of both men and women in 19th century England, but Jane emerges from the patriarchy by challenging the social roles assigned to her with a personality characterized by sass and self-assurance. Mrs. Bronte, through Jane, ultimately demonstrates that women can live their lives on equal terms with men or independently of them. In nineteenth-century Britain, women's status and rights are almost non-existent. Can't vote, can't own property, can't get divorced. Everything she has, even her body, belongs to her husband. Women who come from humble origins are forced to do domestic work, farm laborers or factory workers to survive. “The only 'gentle' professions open to middle-class women [are] housekeeper, school teacher, or a rich woman's companion with her awkward status between servant and lady” (Thaden 66). The only reasonable way for women to gain social status or economic security is to marry one. Unlike most middle-class kids who receive an education to prepare them for a profession, my... middle of paper......inist heroism by refusing to call him "Master Reed." Jane admits that she is “habitually obedient to John” as conventional society would have done (Brontë 13). John emphasizes his superiority over Jane both physically and verbally: “Now I will teach you to search my shelves; since they are mine, this whole house belongs to me” (Brontë 14)! Jane's inferior position is highlighted when John throws the book at her. Jane's reaction solidifies her as a strong-willed girl when she declares him "a murderer—[...] like a slaver—[...] like the Roman emperors" (Brontë 15)! She attacks him physically and verbally by presenting herself as a key heroine in his courageous approach. Jane proves herself exceptional for her time by shattering the conventional role of women, silent and submissive, in an angry voice with passionate defiance against patriarchal society” (Simpson 12).