Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What are a few examples of loss of innocence in the novel Jane Eyre?

Jane could be said to lose parts of her innocence at multiple points in the novel Jane Eyre. Assuming that Jane starts off as an innocent child, she quickly becomes accustomed to the cruelty of the world, which in turn causes her to lose some of both her naivety and her innocence. 


Even in the first chapter, when Jane is hit by Master John and she hits him back, her innocence is taken from her by her cruel family. They lock her in the red room where Jane becomes terrified. She experiences extreme sadness, "humiliation, self-doubt, forlorn depression" and she believes herself to be wicked because the Reeds have labeled her so (page 15).


Jane next loses innocence when she enters Lowood boarding school and is submitted to cold, hunger and strict lessons. Not only that, but Jane experiences death and loss for the first time, with the death of her friend Helen Burns. 


No longer untouched by the world, and no longer an innocent child, Jane sets out to make her own way. Other instances of her loss of innocence could be argued for - being blindsided by Mr. Rochester about his wife and being disgraced and fleeing Thornfield, for instance. Though Jane loses parts of her innocence as she grows and matures, it is important to remember that Jane undoubtedly remains a pure and moral character throughout the novel. 

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