In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte illustrates that an individual's character means more than their social position. Jane Eyre, the novel's protagonist, personally experiences multiple transitions between economic statuses, providing her with insight into the integrity of the people she encounters. In mid-nineteenth-century England, Jane migrates through the lower, middle, and upper classes of the Victorian period. Jane builds relationships with a wide variety of people who in turn provide her with intuitive insights into the treatment of others based on class. Despite Jane's maneuvering through economic statuses, she remains true to herself. Charlotte Bronte uses Jane Eyre's mobility, relationships and character to reinforce the theme of social class. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Jane Eyre, from a young age, was exposed to the realities of treatment within statuses. At birth, Jane's class position is believed to be open to interpretation. Jane learned that her father was a poor clergyman and her mother was considered to be of an upper class. Bronte writes: “…my mother had married him against the wishes of her friends, who considered marriage beneath her; that my grandfather Reed was so incensed at her disobedience, that he cut her school off without a shilling…” (Bronte 42). Both of her parents died from an infection, leaving her in the care of her wealthy aunt, Mrs. Reed. Although she lived at home, Jane was not treated with the same respect and honor as her cousins. She was pushed around, locked in a room without a shred of nourishment and reduced to “the poor orphan child”. Jane was sent to Lowood, a charity school for orphans. Once again, she was treated with disrespect and subjected to harsh conditions. During this time, he befriends Helen Burns and the pair endure the miserable environment with cruel treatment. Mr. Brocklehurst, the school master, believes in depriving the students, demonstrating his different opinion between the social classes. Bronte illustrates this by writing the Brocklehurst quote: “I have a Master to serve whose kingdom is not of this world: my mission is to mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh; teach them to dress with shame and sobriety, not with braided hair and expensive clothes;” (Bronte 118). Helen Burns takes this course with patience, tolerance, and even dignity. Jane has trouble understanding this, but appreciates it. “I listened to her with amazement: I could not understand this doctrine of resistance; and still less could I understand or sympathize with the tolerance he expressed towards his punisher. Yet I felt that Helen Burns viewed things through a light invisible to my eyes. I suspected she might be right and I might be wrong.” The way Jane is treated by those around her illuminates her about internal character differences within the social system. As Jane grows up, she remains true to herself while still experiencing the implicit class differences between her and those around her. Jane becomes a teacher at Lowood, where she experiences working-class life. Her education moves her up the social pyramid to the lower middle class when she takes a job at Thornfield Estates as a housekeeper. Jane finally earns an income by tutoring a young girl, Adele. Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper, greets Jane, where she first encounters a difference in manners. “He's treating me like a visitor,” I thought. «I didn't expect such a welcome; I only expected coldness and stiffness: it's not like what I've heard about the treatment ofrulers; but I must not rejoice too soon” (Bronte 181). As he continues to familiarize himself with the other servants, he notices that he is expected to treat others within certain guidelines. “…Leah is definitely a good girl, and John and his wife are nice people; but then you see, they are only servants, and you cannot dialogue with them on terms of equality: you have to keep them at a safe distance, for fear of losing your authority." Jane Eyre meets the master, Mr. Rochester, who immediately catches her attention. Mr. Rochester is accompanied by aristocratic and elegant guests including Blanche Ingram. Rochester invites Jane to join their company, but spends his time watching from a seat by the window as the members of the group treat Jane with cruelty and dislike. He realizes that there should be a union between the two, Rochester for his money and Ingram for his beauty and social standing. Jane does not believe that Mr. Rochester is the kind of man who respects social norms and expectations. “I have not yet said anything condemning Mr. Rochester's plan to marry for interest and acquaintances. I was surprised when I discovered for the first time that this was his intention: I had considered him a man who hardly allowed himself to be influenced by such common reasons in the choice of a wife; but the more I considered the position, education, etc. of the parties, the less justified I felt in judging and blaming both him and Miss Ingram for acting in accordance with the ideas and principles instilled in them, no doubt, from their childhood.” Jane confesses her love to Mr. Rochester, following him by asking her to marry him. Following her acceptance, many complications arose, prompting Jane to retreat to Thornfield, in turn changing her social status to that of a homeless runaway. During her time at Thornfield, Jane experiences a significant amount of social class expectations along with migration through the facility. As Jane's tale progresses, class position remains a relevant theme as it is at the lowest stature in the novel thus far. Jane is homeless, hungry and cold, so she herself is becoming a vagrant and a beggar. “What was I? In the midst of my heart's pain and frantic striving for principle, I hated myself. I found no comfort in self-approval: not even in self-respect. I had hurt, hurt, I had left my master. I was hateful in my eyes." Even in the most difficult moments she remained true to herself and brought out the beauty of the situation. Jane still had hope and trust in God that she would get through this. “Exhausted by this torture of thought, I rose to my knees. Night had fallen, and its planets had risen: a quiet and safe night: too serene for the company of fear. We know that God is everywhere; but we certainly feel His presence more when His works are spread before us on a large scale; and it is in the cloudless night sky, where His worlds spin their silent course, that we read most clearly His infinity, His omnipotence, His omnipresence.” Jane approaches two women with the intention of receiving their help. “…Here is a penny; now go..." "A penny cannot feed me and I have no strength to go further. Don't shut the door: oh, don't, for God's sake!" (Bronte 641). Fortunately, her status changes once again when St. John Rivers helps Jane and gives her a job running a school of charity for girls. St. John's sisters apologize for initially judging Jane unfairly, but later befriend her. She remains sheltered and fed while earning her own income again. However, Jane was disappointed and felt that the work was humiliating and declassed. This happens along with his.