Jane Eyre vs. Pride and Prejudice
...s quick to judge others as it states, “…great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous.” One of the main themes in this book is the idea of marriage, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (Austen, Ch. 1 pg. 1). Despite her mother's wishes, Elizabeth is interested in finding a husband with a compatible personality, rather than one with great wealth. Both women in the novels have a great sense of moral value; they don’t let other people convince them of what is either good or wrong and stand up for what they believe. Jane demonstrates a strong need to be herself, to take responsibility for her action. While attending school, she befriends a girl names Helen Burns. Helen is treated unfairly, but because of her strong belief in God, she just endures it to the end. She demonstrates this by saying, “Love your enemies; bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you.”(Eyre, Ch. 6 pg. 75) Through her example, it helps Jane want to be a stronger, better person and live life to the fullest while building up confidence in herself and God. Helen goes on to say that it is best not to worry about hatred, saying that it only causes stress and is always going to be there no matter what you do, “Life appears to me to short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.” (Eyre, Ch.6 pg. 76) As Jane grew up and became a woman, she was not afraid to stand up for herself even when she came across men in a male dominating society. She is able to find the true good in a man of preference and able to determine whether is righteous to wed. Also like Jane and Helen, we find companionship with sisters Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. The pair knows each other very well, and they both feel a need to confide in one another. Due to their constant contact, they are able to tell each other's moods with great ease, Elizabeth especially. When Jane returns from seeing Bingley "Elizabeth instantly reads her feelings", so we know that they spend a lot of time in each other's company. Elizabeth tries to please Jane because of the care she deserves. Both heroines always look out for others rather than themselves. “My dear Jane!” exclaimed Elizabeth, “you are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserve.” (Pride, Ch. 24 pg. 432) It is clearly evident that Elizabeth is caring and loving towards others. Eventually, these attributes that Austen provided will allow Elizabeth to find a suitor. Jane is basically left on her own to find a place in which she fits into, while the women in Pride and Prejudice have their life all planned out for them. Bronte's choice of a strong independent heroine was the complete opposite lifestyle of how women were depicted during that era. By making Jane an educated woman, Bronte gave her such power in a society that denied women education. With her refusal to become Rochester's mistress, she demonstrates her inner strength. This countless appearance of inner strength is dangerous during this ere thus having her face the possibility of hunger, poverty, and even death. It is in her decision to not marry St. John that Jane finally liberates herself from the bonds of male suppression, "Who in the world cares for you?" "I care for myself. The more friendless ... the more I will respect myself." Even in her ultimate marriage to Rochester, she is in no way surrendering to convention, for she has entered their union not only with independence but emotional equality. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” (Pride…) This is a quote from Charlotte Lucas, one of the female characters in Pride and Prejudice, and a quote which very well exemplify the general feelings against marriage for the period and the people in upper-class Engla...