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Sadie Young
Sister Papworth
English 314
7 July 2011
The impact of social hierarchy in relationships in Jane Eyre
When first reading Jane Eyre, one would tend to think of a feminist view of the
text. Of course, it fits the feminist view perfectly. There have been dozens of books and
critiques written just on this subject, even literary term has spawned from it, “The
Madwomen in the attic and the Angel in the Bedroom” concept. As a reader, I thought it
best to take a different approach to the text. Marxist literary theory also fits perfectly with
Jane Eyre in many aspects. The focus of this paper is going to be how society’s influence
affected Jane. Social Hierarchy in Jane Eyre affects the relationships in Jane’s life, but
her upbringing had little to do with how Jane interacts with the different characters in the
novel. Through characterization, and an in-depth look at the theories behind social
hierarchy, this point will be proved.
Interpellation
Louis Althusser developed a theory that dealt with the ideologies of society and
used the term interpellation to describe these ideologies. Interpellation, according to Dino
Felluga of Perdue University, is the idea of “individuals being turned into subjects,”
(Felluga 1). Continuing with Althusser, he talks of the prevalence of interpellation in
society and he says that all humans are ready-made subject, even before they are born. A
child before it is born already has its father’s name, and therefore an identity that it will
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keep for the rest of its life. When a child is born, it enters into the “familial ideological
configuration,” and is thereby made a subject in that society (Althusser 1). Althusser
brings up a very interesting point about society. We are normally shaped by the world
around us, we except society’s norms, we follow the rules society puts towards us.
Interpellation is a great explanation of society being subjects of its own making. In Jane
Eyre, one would expect the characters follow this rule of society, but Jane rebels against
society’s norms and rebels against what she has been taught her whole life, to follow her
own ideals. According to Althusser, “Most subjects accept their ideological selfconstitution as "reality" or "nature" and thus rarely run afoul,” but Jane obviously doesn’t
(Althusser 1).
Interpellation, though rejected by Jane, still provides solid evidence into Jane’s
rejection of her childhood. According to Cindy Nguyen of the University of Chicago,
“ideology, interpellation, and subjecthood, mutually reinforce each other” ideology and
the principals of interpellation have always existed, therefore individuals are “alwaysalready interpellated subjects,” (Nguyen 1). Although individuals are automatically
interpellated into society through the norms previously set up, Jane rejected the norm of
falling in love with someone above her station. Although the notion that she had one path
in life, that of a governess was ingrained in her from her time with Aunt Reed and her
time at Lowood School, Jane found love. Even if it completely through out everything
she was taught as a child, Jane rejected societies social constructs.
Jane’s upbringing, though horrible, had little effect on her relationship with
Rochester. Jane belittled all her life, made to change her standing and become her own
person, not based solely on her childhood. Jane shows a strength of character and a break
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from the social norm when she is in the presence of Rochester. It doesn’t matter
Rochester’s seemingly superiority in society, Jane changes this social hierarchy by
becoming Rochester’s equal in spirit and mind.
Jane’s Childhood
Because of her childhood troubles, Jane shows later in life, how a rejection of these
childhood oppressions could develop into the strong, intelligent woman that she becomes at
the end of the novel. The imagery throughout the novel paints a picture of the cruelty
shown her. As a child growing up with her Aunt, Jane was treated in ways no child should
ever be treated. Abused and isolated, Jane developed her mind by reading books of far off
places. Jane recalls, “I returned to my book- Bewick’s History of British Birds…there were
certain introductory pages that, child as I was, I could not pass as blank. They were those
that treat as the haunts of sea fowl; of the solitary rocks and promontories’ by them only
inhabited,” (Bronte 2). Jane’s pastime of reading helped her to gain a greater knowledge of
the world around her, although innocent in many aspects of life, Jane, growing up, wanted
to cultivate this need to be a part of the large world around her. Unconsciously, Jane, as
shown in this part of the novel, is reading of isolation and loneliness, “by them only
inhabited,” as a child, she doesn’t realize the draw she has towards books of that nature. In
her later life, it’s shown that Jane has a need for companionship. When she meets
Rochester, her upbringing, (that of isolation), is thrown out of her mind, “I have told you
reader, that I had learnt to love Mr. Rochester; I could not unlove him now,” (222).
Isolation, though prevalent through most the entire book, did not effect Jane’s love for
Rochester.
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Jane came to Thornfield Hall, a lonely yet headstrong young woman. Advertising
all on her own, she reached the home of Rochester, expecting nothing more than to have
a steady job and use her accomplishments for the nurturing of young Adele. When
Rochester first arrives, Jane shows a connection to him, which up to now, was only ever
developed with Jane’s relationship to Helen. Jane speaks of her first encounter with
Rochester, “it was an incident of no moment, no romance, no interest in a sense,” she
continues “The new face too was like a new picture introduced to the gallery of memory;
and it was dissimilar to all the others hanging there,” (137). Although just a simple
encounter, Jane’s first interaction with Rochester is one of fascination and new
experience. Their relationship stems from this surprise at each other’s nature. Jane , “so
little acquainted with men,” is fascinated by Rochester’s attitude and personality.
Likewise, Rochester is intrigued by Jane’s superior mind, a mind that was certainly not
cultivated from her depressing childhood. Jane and Rochester’s first conversation is quite
interesting and unique; it is a conversation of two souls that are very much alike. Mrs.
Fairfax, being on the outside of their obvious connection, “dropped her knitting, and,
with raised eyebrows, seemed wondering what sort of talk this was,” (145). This reaction
from Mrs. Fairfax would be the same reaction of society. Although Jane and Rochester
care little about what society thinks, this is exactly why their relationship crushes the
social constructs set for them.
Isolation
As previously discussed, in Jane Eyre isolation plays a large role. Isolation is the
opposite of society. Society portrays anyone as being against society, isolated. Jane Eyre
proves that although at times isolation seemed like it would overwhelm her: Her years
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alone at Lowood, and her almost deadly wanderings through the moors, Jane overcame
not only society and it’s constrains, but also overcame isolation through love. In an article
by Alistair Fowler, a professor of Hofstra University, he discusses how isolation is
fixated in literature, and how it affects those who go through the experience. Fowler
states “isolation of commercial man [is] an external condition, to be overcome- if it had
to be overcome, it was not positively convenient by simple effort and enterprise,” (52).
Fowler shows that to overcome isolation, one must first experience, and then overcome it,
although it most certainly will not be easy. Jane first rejects society by following in love
with Rochester, then because of her rejection of society, goes through a period of intense
isolation. In the end though, Jane overcome isolation to become her own individual, and
to live the life she always wanted.
Societal Norms
In the society of the day, the class system was an integral part of everyday life.
The rich ruled, and the poor stayed poor. Mixing of the classes was simply not done. In
Karl Marx’s Manifesto, he discusses the dynamics of the classes, all classes exist one
with another and have specific parts they play in society. The production of the country
relies on this distinction, but it is known that the rich get most everything that is out there
to get, and the poor do not matter, because their duty is to work and provide for the rich’s
appetite for more wealth and prestige. (75) Marx brings up this explanation of class to
show not only the division in class, but to show the emphasis of distinction, “The
Nobility has got the lion’s share,” (75). In Jane Eyre, this distinction is thrown out by
Rochester and Jane’s relationship. They reject the confines of the social hierarchy in
society, no matter what they have been taught their whole lives.
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Jane and Rochester’s relationship
As couple, Rochester and Jane break the social norm, Rochester, a high class,
well endowed man, and Jane a poor orphan. Jane’s relationship with Rochester is unique
only to him. She develops relationships with the other characters as well, but those
relationships are socially acceptable. When Jane first meets Mrs. Fairfax, an equal in
social standing, Jane remarks “My heart really warmed to the lady as I heard her talk: and
I drew my chair a little nearer to her and expressed my sincere wish that she might find
my company as agreeable as she anticipated,” (114). Jane develops sympathy for the old
woman and her kindness, but as soon as Rochester is introduced, Jane’s attention is
focused elsewhere. Later in the book, Jane shows an intellectual superiority to Mrs.
Fairfax and the other inmates of Thornfield, thereby breaking the social norm. In society,
her station would be equal to those of Thornfield, but Jane finds herself above its
inhabitants and finds an equal only in Mr. Rochester. Jane reveals to Mr. Rochester, “I
am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, or even of
mortal flesh- it is my spirit that address your spirit; just as if both passed through the
grave stood at God’s feet- equal as we are,” (307). She recognizes that “custom,
conventionalities, and… mortal flesh,” dictate that Rochester and she should never be
together, but it is her entire being, regardless of social standing, and despite of certain
norms taught her as a child, that reaches out and stops what society says is right.
Class Structure and Culture
Societal rules, dictate the ideas and relationships among the people of that society.
In a class structure study by Chris Vanden Bossche, Professor of English at Notre Dame,
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he talks about the ideologies behind the class differences, “Like ideology, class is
understood to arise from, and to be determined by, the economic, which thus defines and
delimits forms of identity. Other markers of identity--such as gender or ethnicity--become
merely cultural, the ideological effects of class identity, which alone arises within the
social,” (46). Jane develops this “ideology,” but in her case class doesn’t “delimit[ ]” her
“form[ ] of identity” instead Jane’s own conscious and ideals dictate her relationships
with those of different classes. In an article by Louis Kampf of the Midwest Modern
Language Association, talking about the confines of culture and how we can rise above it,
he states “One objective of class struggle might be, after all, to destroy the culture of
those in power: an act performed to free one’s body and soul, to rid oneself of the
phantoms of the past, to escape spiritual bondage,” (22). Kampf continues this idea and
says that culture is something contrived and set up by the “elite,” only those who have
money and therefore “leisure” time develop the culture of there particular society (23). In
Jane Eyre, the idea of the elite controlling society is very relevant. Mr. Rochester guests,
Miss Ingram and the like, show this elite behavior by how they treat Jane. Jane shows her
true superiority over them and over society by the way she reacts to their criticism. Jane
refuses to stoop to their level. Even after Miss Ingram’s rant about the horrors of
governesses, Jane takes it all in and just simply slips away from the scene without her
drawing attention (189-190).
In Jane Eyre, one of the underlying topics throughout the story is the topic of
culture, and how it affects Jane’s relationships. According to Raymond Williams, a postAlthusserian Marxist critic, “At the very centre of a major area of modern thought and
practice, which it is habitually used to describe, is a concept ‘culture’, which in itself
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through variation and complication, embodies not only the issues but the contradictions
through which it has developed,” (6). Williams is describing the new idea of culture that
developed in the 70’s, when he says it “embodies not only the issues but the
contradictions through which it has developed,” he is explaining how culture is made, it
is made through social structures, economics, and politics, but it is also made through the
“contradictions,” of different minded individuals (70). Williams continues and says that
society is a different idea than the rigidity of “state,” state referring to “an emphasis on
management,” and “a conscious attempt to understand and control a body of activities,”
(12). Society is chosen for its “substance and immediacy,” and through this new concept
of how society is characterized, a new concept of the individual is born. The individual is
originally meant to refer to “a member of a group,” but has now come to refer to one who
is against the confines of society (12). This concept of society and individual is a great
stepping-stone to show how Jane Eyre is seen in society. Jane Eyre was considered an
individual; she went against society and its rules. By following in love with Rochester,
rejecting her aunt’s superiority, and by appearing intellectually advanced, she was
breaking the norm that society had placed on her, and was becoming an “individual.”
Jane’s relationship with Helen
When Jane was sent to Lowood institution, dejected and lonely, she found solace
in her friend Helen. Helen had a different take on the world and helped mold Jane into a
better person. Jane speaks of Helen’s conversations, “Then her soul set on her lips and
language flowed, from what source I cannot tell: has a girl of fourteen a heart large
enough, vigorous enough, to hold the swelling spring of pure, full, fervid eloquence?”
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(83). Jane felt inspired by Helen and her beautiful words and speeches; Jane had a
connection with Helen that taught her how to connect with people. Jane’s relationship
with Helen was the foreground for her tie to Rochester. Fascination drew Jane in when
developing relationships through out the story. First with Helen, “They conversed of
things I had never heard of…what stored of knowledge they had possessed,” and later
with Rochester, “He is rather peculiar perhaps: he has travelled a great deal and has seen
a great deal of the world. I daresay he is clever,” (83,123). Jane shows that in order for
her to sympathize with someone, he or she must, be intellectually adequate, and be able
to invoke in herself a deeper connection with that person.
How Jane Eyre became Jane Eyre
As earlier discussed, Jane Eyre’s childhood didn’t affect her character, nor did it
affect the relationships she had throughout the novel. If her childhood didn’t influence
her, than what led her to become the strong young woman in the end of the novel? Jane,
after being treated horrible most of her life, consciously decided that these horrors were
not going to shape her. Jane knew that she could easily use her abuse as an excuse to be
belittled and rejected all her life, but she wants nothing more than to forget everything
that has happened to her and move on. Jane says, while visiting her Aunt Reed’s dying
bedside, “I had left this woman in bitterness and hate and I came back to her now with no
other emotion than a sort of ruth for her great sufferings and a strong yearning to forget
and forgive all sins,” (243). Jane proves that she wants to put the past behind her, she
shows her need to be her own person, by forgiving her Aunt.
Jane, whilst in Lowood school, learned as much as possible. Jane used education
as a means to have a better life. This rejection of what life had handed her, shows just
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what kind of person she became. Jane used her studies to secure employment, and
showed a great sense of character when she advertised for a position. Although this is
true, Jane doesn’t think much of herself. When first told of Blanch Ingram, Jane goes and
draws two paintings, one of herself and one of Blanche so that when she ever fancies that
Mr. Rochester has feelings for her, she can go and rectify her false hopes through the
pictures (169). Jane says, referring to herself, “You, a favorite with Mr. Rochester? You
gifted with the power of pleasing him? You of importance to him in anyway? Go! Your
folly sickens me. And you have derived pleasure from occasional tokens of preference…
How dared you? Poor stupid dupe! Cover your face and be ashamed,” (168). Jane thinks
nothing of her talents and intellect, but Rochester thinks otherwise. He states referring to
Jane, “After a youth and manhood passed half in unutterable misery and half in dreary
solitude, I have for the first time found what I can truly love- I have found you. You are
my sympathy- my better self- my good angel; I am bound to you with a strong
attachment,” (334). Rochester has a deep love for Jane, whether or not she believes she
deserves his love, or the love of anyone for that matter. It is through Rochester’s love
that Jane comes to find herself and her purpose in life. With his love, she is able to put
aside all of her pains of childhood and become the wonderful woman that she is in the
end of the novel.
Self-Identity in Society
One of the major points in Jane Eyre, is Jane’s individuality. This individuality
was contrived from her own opinions and ideals, and came from no previous influences.
According to identity theorist Anthony Giddens, “The natural world has become in large
part a created environment, consisting of humanely structured systems whose motive
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power and dynamics derive from socially organized knowledge claims rather than from
influences exogenous to human activity,” (144). Giddens continues and he says that
control is based upon a process of instrumental reason or in other words, “an internally
referencial knowledge and power,” (144). Giddens explains that society is made up of the
ideas and cultures of the people as a whole and not the individual and he says that
control, according to society, is the main goal for creating a society. In most societies,
this statement is proven quite true, even in Jane Eyre, the rulers of the class, the Miss
Ingram’s and the Aunt Reed’s of the world are shown to be in control. Of course, the
purpose of this paper is to show the rebellion of social constructs; Jane rejects the ruling
class, and takes control of her own self as a rebellion against social contructs.
Social constructs are developed in a society through the people who rule that
particular society. A theory that has tied into this idea is the ideology of social identity.
One’s interaction with society, whether it be positive or negative, becomes his or her
social identity. According to Marilynn B. Brewer of the International Society of Political
Psychology, social identity “address[s] the structure and function of the socially
constructed self… as a dynamic construct that mediates the relationship between social
structure or society and individual social behavior,” (116). As a norm in society, the
social identity is a collective belief of the individual and the society as a whole. In Jane
Eyre, Jane reflects the individual in society. Jane was at one time in her life, part of the
collective society as a whole. As a child, she had to be under the care of her aunt, which
being very harsh, her aunt followed the constructs of society and sent Jane to a school
where she could learn to be of use to society (30-35). As a rebellion against the collective
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part of society, Jane became only the individual half of social identity. Rearing her
Aunt’s attempts to make her a “use” to the world, futile.
Throughout all of Jane Eyre, relationships are constructed, in seemingly
impossible situations. It didn’t matter the social standing one was, love and friendship
prevailed. Although Jane grew up being belittled and taught that she could rise no higher
than a governess could, she rebelled against her childhood teachings and became her own
individual person. Jane broke the constructs that society set up for her; she was meant to
stay in her station, never to rise above that. She showed, through strength of character,
and strength of heart, that the way society is set up, has no drive for motivations or
actions. Jane’s strong relationships throughout the novel show that her horrible
childhood, and the rules set up for her through society mattered little to her future plans
for happiness.
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Works Cited
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Brewer, Marilynn B. “The Many Faces of Social Identity: Implications for Political
Psychology.” Political Psychology. Vol.22 No.1 (March 2001): 115-125. JSTOR.
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Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Penguin Group, USA. 2006. Print.
Felluga, Dino. “Modules on Althusser: On Ideology.” Perdue.edu. Perdue University. 7
July 2002. Web. 12 July 2011.
Fowler, Alastair. “Isolation and Its Discontents.” Twentieth Century Literature. Vol. 6
No. 2 (July 1960): 51-64. JSTOR. Web. 17 July 2011
Giddens, Anthony. Modernity and Self Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age.
Stanford University Press. July 1991. Print
Kampf, Louis. “Cultural Elitism and the Study of Literature.” The Bulletin of the Midwest
Modern Language Association. Vol. 5 No. 2 (1972): 21-31. JSTOR. Web. 17 July
2011.
Marx, Karl and Fredrick Engels. The Constitutional Question in Germany. March 1847.
Print.
Nguyen, Cindy. “Interpellation.” Uchicago.edu. Chicago University. N.d. Web. 12 July
2011.
Williams, Raymond. Marxism and Literature. Oxford University Press, USA. 1978.
Print.