The Concept of Feminism Essay

The modern society is evaluated through the level of feminism incorporated into its main folds of communicating with both genders. Though the current societal trends are considered to be modern but still there has been numerous evidences of inequality among men and women on different platforms like pay scale, rights and adequate job opportunities. The feminism concept is not new rather it is rooted back to 1960’s when for the first time women were considered as an identity and were given the status of an individual who has the needs and rights over their personal likes and dislikes. ‘Jane Eyre’ has been the initial and the most authentic sources of the representation of the modern women. The novel revolves around the character Victorian who has been the true representation of the feminist beacon for the women of the current age.
The development and the modernism for any nation is analyzed through its growth in the society as a whole. The gender discrimination topics has been debatable in the democratic societies. However, the feminist concept inculcated in the society took one step ahead and ensured that the female gender is give equal rights as men. The contemporary world is still facing the issues like economic, political and social inequality among males and females. Though, the positive steps has been taken like women rights and rules against women discrimination has been thoroughly followed in every developed nation these days. But unfortunately, these circumstances has not reduced the amount of cases reported. The statistics of the developed countries are scary for complains launched by the female victims no matter the scale would be higher for the under-developed countries.
The rights like sexual orientation, right for abortion, medical facilities and equal pay and status are still under discussion. Even the newer concerns like harassment at work place has been reported to be increasing with the growing modernism among the society. The females working outside the convenience of their homes has been facing the issues like sexual harassment and judgmental opinion from the society. It may be questioned that why feminism? Why new laws are developed to define feminism? Feminism is just the division of gender into two roles which is mandatory for performing the social performances or to act within their given roles.
The society no matter how much grow or be modern are still defined in the transitional roles. So does the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ would justify the feminist approach from the traditional society? Charlotte Bronte’ has written this critical novel presenting the unique situation of the depicted characters which are near to reality. Jane Eyre has the ability of presenting this opinion not through the high values displayed in the novel but she was able to speak it through her actions and speech. The novel present the time when the success of a woman was judged through her marriageability status. Most importantly females were categorized according to their beauty and the financial status.
Author has picked this character unconventionally, Jane is an orphan in the time when the female of her age with no fortune is vulnerable in the society. However, she was able to break this stereotype through her age. It has been clearly stated and repeated by the writer that she is an unattractive women, thus, making it more interesting for the readers that how such a female has been able to survive in the society depending upon the strong categorization of gender on different standards.
Jane’s action represent the strong will and the focus of her life. Unlike other women of her age Jane did not seemed interested in getting married and tied up to responsibilities. It is cleared through an interaction between Rochester and Jane. When Rochester disguised as an old women and asked Jane about her future choices. She simply stated that she does not want to opt for the vows who end up in catastrophic marriages. A woman’s certain opinion is for sure against the norms of the society and shows that how she is capable to express her individual opinion over the societal limitations.
It showed that how she was able to confidently carry her individual self in a male governed society. Thus, it is considered the main reason that why Jane has been able to speak against the unjust behavior and the inequality towards herself and other females like her. For Jane every individual whether belonging from her family, her teacher or the person she loved, anyone bullying her or making her feel any lesser were subjected to the same reaction to prove that she is not a weak being and is able to defy herself.
Jane being a young girl had the courage to speak for her aunt when she was treated unfairly in the red room. At such a young age with the motivation of judging that the following behavior with the female is unjust and standing to protect her from that is courageous enough to speak for the motivation and the character of Jane.
Jane has never responded politely to any unfair request and her tone spoke a lot for her opinion. For the reason that an orphan like her with no fortune was considered to be accepting every demand without any hesitation but Jane refused. Thus, this represents that feminism is not something which is recently introduced but was the qualities inculcated in females which were never reported in the history. However, the novel of Jane Eyre is the true depiction of such females.
This spirit of Jane was the beginning with her future relationships with the coming males in her life especially beginning with the Mr. Brocklehurst. Another proof of her feminism could be evaluated through her relation with Rochester. When she was a governess where her role was not given much importance and respect in the society but even then she didn’t took herself inferior to Rochester in any way not in the status and spirituality.
Janes dialogues with Rochester explains her stance when she said that “Do you think that I am poor, orphan and little makes me any lesser in the society? And does this make me soulless and heartless? Indeed not! My heart has complete soul and determination.
The above stated opinion clearly indicates that Jane wanted equality among both genders in terms of spirituality and respect in the society. Jane was clear about her opinion and categorized herself as spiritual individual who cannot be defined in the categories by society for some marriage which may even not be the source of happiness in her life.
Eve when Rochester tried to buy her jewels and clothes to compel her into marriage, she simply refused saying that it will not only make her loose her individuality but her true free spirit. St. John showed angriness and bitterness towards Jane’s opinion that it is a complete right and choice for every woman that if she does not want to get married, she will not.

The male governed society of the Victorian times used to consider it as a sin and infidelity for a woman who has rejected the proposal of getting married. The marriage was considered as a safe haven for females of that time and a woman rejecting it means that she is following any nefarious design. Thus, taking into account all these encounters, Jane Eyre is considered to be the representation of a true feminist figure. Though, the women in the current society are not judged for their marriageability status but are judged on other things which is believed to be more important in the current society. The issues like equal pay, status, facilities and the right to be respected is still challenged and shows that they has been many controlling characters in the feminist society who are still following the masculinity opinion.
The novel of Jane Eyre clearly reflects the opinion that even in male dominated society a woman can raise her head high and maintain her individuality through her actions and speech. In the moments of hard life the woman shall have the courage of facing it with deep desolation and motivation that she will not bend herself to the storm rather she will move the storm to a newer direction.