Theme, tone, point of view

The themes in Jane Eyre center around the subject of love, one of them being love versus integrity/ moral law. Jane’s quest for love is the meat of the novel as she is emotionally empty throughout her charitable endeavors in life. She does not marry St. John, even when it seems rational to follow through with it. Jane is aloof and does not feel as though her whole person is intact. She is also hesitant about marrying Rochester because she does not want her economic independence to be compromised; she is only able to marry in the end because she has become self-sufficient and does not have to enter into a relationship as an inferior. Religion is also a prevalent theme throughout the novel and can be seen in Jane’s human versus self conflict between morality and earthly pleasures. Helen is one of Jane’s religious examples, but Jane eventually finds her own medium between religion and worldly pleasures. Jane interprets religion as a way to escape immoral passions and an entity supporting earthly goals. A theme of women’s rights wraps around the hardships depicted in the novel. Jane does not always feel completely independent.

Bronte’s tone includes both Gothic and romantic elements. The novel is sinister yet surreal with images of mystery and secrecy. Jane’s personality, however, contrasts with this tone in that she is high-spirited, determined, and friendly.

The novel is told in the first person (Jane’s) point of view. There is also much dialogue exchanged in the story.