Beauty takes many
forms in Jane Eyre and presents
readers with different definitions. Jane's perception of beauty is superficially
similar to society's insofar as both
place an importance on not being
skinny and being the correct shade of
white. However, that is where the similarities end. The society of Jane Eyre evaluates and cultivates
beauty based purely on physical characteristics, whereas Jane looks past the physical
elements and allows more internalised qualities to form her definition.
Society's view of
beauty is flawed and thus gives rise to Jane's distinctive ideology. Jane is
portrayed by others as a trouble maker and as a "little toad"(Brontë 84).
Whilst she is not ugly, she is definitely not pretty and is "small"
for her age which lends itself to her being seen as a problem child (Brontë 90). On the
other hand, Jane's cousin Georgiana Reed is doted upon because of "her
long curls and her blue eyes and... sweet colour" (Brontë 84). Thus, she is a good person according to the
society of Jane Eyre. However, readers
know that Georgiana's beauty does not make her a beautiful person and that in
reality she is spoiled and conceited. They also know that Jane, although plain,
is far from the little rascal that most of the adults in the book make her out
to be. The idea that beauty determines a person's character is incongruous with
the facts presented by the narrator. As a result of her experiences, Jane
understands that physical beauty is
superficial and true beauty transcends physicality. A clear example can be
found in the way that Jane views Miss Temple and Bessie Lee. Both character's
are beautiful in Jane's eyes, but it is their caring and compassion which
accentuates their beauty. The way Jane allows personality and behaviour to
shape her perception of beauty is not only an integral plot point in the book,
but also a way of thinking about beauty that approaches the subject on a more profound
level. Without her alternative view of beauty, the romance that is to follow
with Mr. Rochester would be arguably impossible.
When Mr. Rochester
and Jane first meet, she mistakes him for a supernatural beast. In addition to
this, she admits that she doesn't find Mr.Rochester handsome. However, as the
two characters begin to get to know each other better, Jane's opinion of Mr.Rochester changes. She no
longer sees him as unattractive; he is the
object she "best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering
than the brightest fire"(Brontë 220). She is still aware of his faults,
both physical and psychological, but rather than being repulsed by them is
endeared by them. Thus, Jane presents an idea of beauty that fully supports the
adage that true beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is not skin deep. This
ideology, which still captures the heart of modern day audiences, spans genres,
mediums and eras. It is Brontë's ability to not only understand , but to capture,
a fundamental element of the human condition that makes Jane Eyre such a timeless work.
Works Cited:
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Peterborough:
Broadview Press Ltd, 1999. Print.
whoops, just realized we wrote about the same topic. it was cool to read yours now though because we both had a different take on it!
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