Towards the beginning of Jane Eyre, Jane is faced with the question of living a life of love or a wealthy life of hatred (either with the Reeds or with her poor relatives). I find it odd, yet refreshingly honest that she would prefer a higher status to a poor yet happy life. I wish that I could realize how difficult a life without material luxury would be. I agree with Jane but probably would never admit it especially in her situation. Everyone around her that was trying to help thought that she would value love and acceptance over wealth, but she proved them wrong. I guess once you become acclimated to a higher class lifestyle you can’t and don’t want to give it up, even more so in Victorian times. Also, because Jane is looking back on her life, it must’ve been even more difficult to admit to the reader this decision.
There are clear benefits to both lifestyles one being physical and the other being more mental/emotional. However, for Jane admitting to needing the wealth kind of disappoints the reader because I feel that most people would expect and want her to be a perfect heroine by defying the rules of society. Actually, I think that by falling victim to the Victorian times, Jane has more room to grow and Charlotte Brönte gives credibility and honesty to Jane. Lastly, without Jane’s desire for a better life, in society, she probably wouldn’t have met Mr. Rochester who might be able to give her both lives, one of wealth and one of happiness.
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