Jane Eyre: Finding Happiness

Finding happiness

Google defines happiness as "a feeling or showing pleasure or contentment." But how does one really define happiness? Happiness expressed in words is merely not good enough. In the 21st century one hears women define happiness as a walk on the beach, doing what they love, a hug, or a child's laughter. Happiness in a sense is being content with what you have in that moment of time. Happiness is a frame of mind and nothing more. Over time we've forgotten the sacrifices that were made for us as women to live freely and have equal rights as men. In the early 1900's, when Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" was written, women were haunted with the words of Queen Victoria; "Let women be what God intended, a helpmate for man, but with totally different duties and vocations." This hindered any progress women had made towards finding true happiness on their own terms. Women were expected to marry at a young age, have children, and then become a doting housewife. Most women in marriages at that time were miserable at best. Women who wanted to leave their husbands couldn't because they couldn't support an individual independent household leaving them trapped within an unhappy marriage. However the passionate, young, and inspired Jane Eyre would have nothing to do with society's views and expectations on her life.

At a young age Jane was dealt an unfair hand in life. Her parents were disowned by their families leaving them to navigate through life with no support. Jane was taught through her parents sacrifice that true love is worth throwing away societies expectations. Shortly after Jane was born the death of her parents left her orphaned to the only family that would take her in; her aunt and Uncle Reed. Uncle Reed was fond of little Jane and treated her just like his own three children. Mrs. Reed watched with resentment as sickness withered away her husband and "in his last moments he had required a promise of Mrs. Reed that she would rear and maintain me as one of her own children." (Jane Eyre, 18) This promise left Mrs. Reed with the bitter task of keeping a child in a household where it was not welcome. Growing up Jane's cousins treated her no better than their mother; taunting, teasing, fighting, complaining, blaming, and discluding. Jane's childhood was bleak at best. She sought love, adventure, courage, and friendship where any quiet child throughout the years has; in books. Jane would hide away with a book for hours, content with being alone, lost in a world where her presence was welcomed. Laurence Sterne once said, "In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself." Jane learned the importance of spending time with oneself, reflection, and day dreaming.

When Jane finally leaves Gateshead for what she believes is the last time, she is over come with a sense of relief that maybe another chapter in her life may begin. She hopes to find happiness among more than just books; in human contact, in the skills and studies she will learn and perform at Lowood. As soon as Jane arrives her image is tarnished with the lies that have followed her from Gateshead to her new life. Publicly embarrassed for something she didn't do Jane is determined at all costs to clear her name of all slander spoken against her. Perhaps her abrasiveness and determination is something not often seen in young girls at that age is catches a few readers by surprise that little Jane at the age of eleven holds honesty in such a high regard. Jane is never worried about how people will view her as long as they look down upon her for reasons that she has given them of her own accord. Jane befriends a girl named Helen Burns while at school and they become inseparable. At long last Jane has found the love and acceptance which she has only read about in her story books. This happiness however, as life goes, cannot stay long. Helen falls ill and shortly after dies. Driven by the love and companionship that Jane has experienced, she sneaks out after curfew into the head mistress's office to see Helen one final time. Jane crawls into bed and hugs Helen as she draws her final breath. This response of rule breaking and loyalty shows Jane's true character. Following the example set by her parents, Jane throws away all need to follow rules and regulations, no matter what the punishment may be, for love. Like any child Jane grieves for the loss of her friend, but with the passing of time the wound heals and she moves on with her life.

Roughly eight years later Jane finds herself restless in the simple methodical life that she has created for herself. She wishes to further her experience even