In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte illustrates that an individual's character means more than their class status. Jane Eyre, the novel's protagonist, personally experiences multiple transitions between economic statuses, which gives her insight into the integrity of the people she meets. In mid-19th century England, Jane migrates through the lower, middle, and upper classes of the Victorian period. Jane forms relationships with a wide variety of people who, in turn, provide her with insight into treating others based on class. Despite Jane's maneuvering through economic statuses, she remains true to herself. Charlotte Brontë 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 Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Jane Eyre, from a young age, was exposed to the reality of treatment within the statutes. At birth, Jane's class position is believed to be open to interpretation. Jane learned that her father was a poor clergyman and that her mother was considered upper class. Brontë writes: “…my mother had married him against the wishes of her friends, who considered this marriage unworthy of her; that my grandfather Reed was so angered by her disobedience that he interrupted her without a shilling…” (Bronte 42). Both of her parents died due to infection, leaving her in the hands 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 an ounce of food and reduced to the status of a “poor orphan child”. Jane was sent to Lowood, a charity school for orphaned women. Once again, she was treated with disrespect and subjected to harsh conditions. During this time, she befriends Helen Burns and the couple endure a miserable environment with cruel treatment. Mr. Brocklehurst, the school master, believes in the deprivation of students, thus proving his varied opinions between social classes. Bronte illustrates this by writing the quote from Brocklehurst: “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, and not with braided hair and expensive clothes; » (Bronté 118). Helen Burns assumes this behavior with patience, tolerance and even dignity. Jane struggles to understand this but appreciates it. “I heard it with wonder: I could not understand this doctrine of endurance; and even less could I understand or sympathize with the patience she expressed toward her chastiser. Yet I had the impression that Helen Burns was looking at things in a light invisible to my eyes. I suspected that maybe she was right and I was wrong. Jane's treatment by those around her enlightens her about the differences in inner character within the social system. As Jane grows, she remains true to herself while continuing to sense the implicit class differences between herself and those around her. Jane becomes a teacher in Lowood, where she discovers working-class life. Her education moves her up the social pyramid to the lower middle class when she accepts a job as a governess at Thornfield Estates. Jane finally earns an income by giving private lessons to a young girl, Adele. Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper, welcomes Jane, where she notices for the first time a difference in manner. " Shetreat 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 of governesses; but I must not exult too soon” (Bronte 181). As she continues to become acquainted with the other servants, she notices that she is expected to treat others according to certain guidelines. “..Leah is a nice girl, that's for sure, and John and his wife are very decent people; but then you see that they are only servants, and that one cannot converse with them on an equal footing: one must keep them at a good distance, for fear of losing one's 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 window seat as the group treats Jane with cruelty and antipathy. She realizes that there should be a union between the two, Rochester for his money and Ingram for his beauty and social position. Jane does not believe that Mr. Rochester is the type of man to conform to social norms and expectations. “I have yet to say anything condemnatory of Mr. Rochester's plan to marry for reasons of interest and connections. This surprised me when I first discovered that this was his intention: I had thought of him as a man unlikely to be influenced by such banal motives in the choice of his wife; but the more I considered position, education, etc. parties, the less justified I felt in judging and blaming him or Miss Ingram for acting in accordance with the ideas and principles which had been instilled in them, no doubt, since their childhood. Jane confesses her love to Mr. Rochester, following him by asking him to marry her. After her acceptance, many complications arose, causing Jane to withdraw from Thornfield, in turn changing her social status to homeless runaway. During her time at Thornfield, Jane experiences a significant amount of social class expectations as well as migration through the structure. As Jane's story progresses, class ranking remains a relevant theme as she finds herself at the lowest stature in the novel thus far. Jane is homeless, hungry and cold, so she becomes a wanderer and a beggar. “What was I?” In the midst of my heartache and my frantic effort of principle, I abhorred myself. I had no consolation in self-approval: none even in self-respect. I had hurt — hurt — left my master. I was hateful in my own eyes.” Even at her lowest point, she stayed true to herself and brought out the beauty in the situation. Jane still had hope and trust in God that she would get through this. “Exhausted by this torture of thought, I fell to my knees. Night had come and its planets were rising: a night safe and calm: too serene for the company of fear. We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel his presence more when his works are displayed before us on the largest scale; and it is in the cloudless night sky, where its worlds roll silently, that we read most clearly its infinitude, its omnipotence, its 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 any further. Don't close the door: oh, don't do it, for God's sake! (Bronté 641). Fortunately, her status changes once again when St. John Rivers helps Jane and gives her a job running a charity school for..