淺析簡(jiǎn)愛的雙重性格

AbstractCharlotteBronte’sJaneEyreisfarmorepopularthanherotherbooksbecauseinsuperficiallevelthisnovelpresentsusaCinderella-typelovestory.TheonlydifferenceisthatJaneEyreisashort,plainandorphangirlwithlowsocialstatus,butsheisnotfailingapartwithself-esteem,self-respect,andself-reliancewhenshefacesdifficultiesinlife,economyandlove.Duetoherrebelliousspiritandrichinnerworld,shefightsagainstherfatesuccessfullyandgainsherhappinessatlast.ThesepositivecharactersmakeJaneEyreanadvancedwomaninthehistoryofwesternliteratureandtherepresentativeofpersonalcharminaprolongedperiod,butshealsoshowshernegativesidetousonherroadsoflifetofighting:self-abasement,weaknessandconservativepersonality.Thisthesiswillbreakthetraditionalthinking,analyzingJaneEyre’sdoublecharactersboththepositiveandnegativesides.Itcanhelpustohaveabetterunderstandingofourgreatheroinefromanewangleandnewways.Keywords:JaneEyre;doublecharacters;analysis中文摘要夏洛蒂勃朗特的《簡(jiǎn)愛》因其灰姑娘似的愛情童話故事而一直享有廣泛的讀者群。與灰姑娘不同的是，簡(jiǎn)愛是一個(gè)身材矮小，地位低微的孤兒。在面對(duì)生活，經(jīng)濟(jì)，愛情方面的困難時(shí)，她展現(xiàn)出自尊，自重，自強(qiáng)的一面。也由于她的反抗精神和豐富的內(nèi)心世界，讓她成功地戰(zhàn)勝了命運(yùn)，并贏得了最后的幸福。簡(jiǎn)愛積極的特性使她成為了西方文學(xué)史上的先進(jìn)婦女和具有經(jīng)久不衰魅力的人物代表。但在她人生道路上，她也表現(xiàn)出了她自卑，軟弱和保守的一面。本論文將打破傳統(tǒng)觀念，簡(jiǎn)析簡(jiǎn)愛的雙重性格——正面和負(fù)面。這有利于我們從新的角度和新的途徑更好地了解主人公的性格特征。關(guān)鍵詞：簡(jiǎn)愛；雙重性格；分析1.Introduction1.1AbriefintroductionoftheauthorVeryfewCriticsofCharlotte’sworkswillbeauthoritativeiftheyjustchoosetoignoretheauthor’sgrowingbackgroundandpersonalexperienceandfocusonlyonthenovelsthemselves.Asforseeminglysemi-biographicnovelJaneEyrethattheauthorhasattachedmuchofherownselftothemainprotagonist,abriefreviewoftheauthor’spersonalexperienceisverynecessary.ItwillenableustoknowthefactthatnotonlyCharlotte’sowntimecontributedtotheportrayalofthemainwomenimages,butalsoherownexperiencewasindispensabletothedevelopmentoftheplotandthepassionsofJaneEyre.Soasummarizedaccountofsomeofthemostimportantanecdotesisnecessary.CharlotteBronte(1818-1855)wasthethirddaughterofapoorcountryclergymanatHaworth,Yorkshire,innorthernEngland.ItwasafamilyofsixsmallchildrenthatMr.BrontemovedtotakeuphispositionasperpetualcuratethereinFebruary1820.Atherageof8,Charlotteandherfoursistersweresenttoacharityschoolwheretheywerecruellytreated,andtwoofhereldersistersdiedtherebyhavinglungdisease.Attheageof19,sheworkedasaschool-teachertoaffordoneducationforherbrotherandsisters,andlaterasagoverness.In1846appearedavolumeofverseentitled“PoemsbyCurrer,Ellis,andActonBell”,thepseudonymsofCharlotteandherlittlesistersEmilyandAnne.Inthesameyearherfirstworkoffiction,TheProfessorwassenttodifferentpublishersandwasrejectedbythemall,anditwasnotpublishedtillafterherdeath.Shewentonwritinganothernovel,JaneEyre,whichwaspublishedin1847andachievedanimmediatesuccess.Inthenextyear,TheWutheringHeightsandAgnesGreybyhersisterEmilyandAnnerespectivelywerealsopublished.Butsorrowcametoherwheninthatyear,heronlybrotherandhersisterEmilydied,andAnnediedinthefollowingyear.Charlottewrotetwomorenovelsafterthat,Shirleyin1849andVillettein1853,stillunderthepseudonymofCurrerBell.In1854shemarriedherfather’scurateA.B.Nicholas,andshediedthenextyear.Anothernovel,Emma,appearedasafragmentafterherdeath,in1860(Chen,2006:258)1.2ThebackgroundinformationofVictorianfemininewriterInCharlotteBronte’stime,themiddle-classideologyofthepropersphereofwomanhood,whichdevelopedinpost-industrialEnglandandAmerica,prescribedawomanwhowouldbeaperfectlady,anangelinthehouse,contentedlysubmissivetomen,butstronginherinnerpurityandreligiosity,queeninherownrealmofthehome.Womenbeginningtheirliterarycareersinthe1840swereseekingheroine–bothprofessionalrolemodelandfictionalideal–whocouldcombinestrengthandintelligencewithfemininetenderness,tact,anddomesticexpertise.Atthesametime,theyperceivedthemselvesandtheirfictionalheroinesasinnovatorswhowouldproviderolemodelsforfuturegenerations.Thefemininewriterswerethuslookingfortwokindsofheroines.Theywantedinspiringprofessionalrole-models;buttheyalsowantromanticheroines,asisterhoodofsharedpassionandsuffering,womenwhosobbedandstruggledandrebelled.ItwasverydifficultfortheVictorianstobelievethatbothqualitiescouldbeembodiedinthesamewoman.Thesimplestresolutionwouldhavebeentofindtherolemodelinlife,theheroineinliterature,butitdidnotworkthateasily.AsthefirstgenerationofEnglishVictorianfemininewriters,inordertomeetthestandardsofthesocietyandbeacceptedbythereaders,manyofthemusedpseudonyms.Victorianfemininenoveliststhusfoundthemselvesinadoublebind.Theyfelthumiliatedbythecondescensionofmalecriticsandspokeintenselyoftheirdesiretoavoidspecialtreatmentandachievegenuineexcellence,buttheyweredeeplyanxiousaboutthepossibilityofappearingunwomanly.AswecanseewhentheauthorofJaneEyreturnedouttobeayoungmaid,therewasasuddenchangeoftoneincritics(Yang,2003:23).Undersuchkindofenvironment,CharlotteBrontehasbothrebelliousspiritandconservativepersonalitythatreflectedinhermasterpiece–JaneEyre.1.3AbriefintroductionofthenovelJaneEyreisbyfarthebestknownofCharlotteBronte’snovels.ThestorybeginsatGateshead.Apennilessorphangirl–JaneEyre,abouttenyearsold,isbroughtupbyheraunt,Mrs.Reed,aharshandunsympatheticwoman.Shereactsstronglyagainstheraunt’sbadtreatmentandsheissenttoLowoodAsylum,acharityschoolforpoorgirls.TheschoolteacherBrocklehurstishereportrayedasaverysevereandhard-heartedpersonwhonotonlykeepsthechildrenhalf-starvedbutpreventsthemfromhavingnormalmentalgrowth.QuitedifferentfromHelen,whoisathoroughlyobedientchildundertherigiddisplineoftheschool,JaneEyrestrivesforindependenceandinherthenovelistexpressesherhumanisticanddemocraticprotestagainstthesuppressionofpersonalityinVictoriansociety.AfterheryearsofmiseryinschooltheheroinegoestoThornfieldHalltobeagovernesstopursueadifferentlifeinadifferentenvironment.ThelittlegirlsheteachesisthenaturaldaughterofMr.Rochester.LifeatThornfieldwasthemostromanticexperiencefortheprotagonistbutitalsobroughtJanetothemostseverepsychologicalinnerconflicts,becauseheretheauthortakesupanewtheme-loveandmarriage.InspiteofJane’splainness,Rochesterisfascinatedbyherwitandcourageousspiritandfallsinlovewithher.TheirmarriageispreventedatthelastminutebytherevelationthathehasmarriedBerthaMasonfifteenyearsbefore.ItturnsoutthattherealimprisonedwomanintheatticishiswifewhoischargedbyGracePooleandwhoisnowaravingmaniac.JanethengoesawayandafternearlyperishingonthemooristakeninbyaclergymanSt.JohnRiversandhissisters.Theclergymanalmostsucceedsinmakingheragreetomarryhim-notbecausehelovesher,asheadmits,butbecauseheadmiresherandwantsherserviceasanassistant,butshefinallydeclineshisofferandgoesbacktolookforRochester.UponherarrivalatThornfieldHall,shefindsthattheplacehadbeenburntdownbyBerthaMasonandthatRochester,attemptinginvaintosavehismadwifefromdeathinthefire,becomesblind.Shemarrieshiminspiteofhismisfortuneandrestoreshimtohappiness.TheauthortriestoshowherethatJaneEyre,differentfrommanyotherwomeninthemammon-worshipsociety,considersmarriagenotasabargainbutasaunionofkindredsoul.JaneEyreisagreatpieceofwork,fullofprofoundintention,complicatedplotsandsincereemotion.Italsoshowsitsuniqueartisticcharmandliteraturevalues,thoughithasenjoyedpopularityformorethanoneandahalfcentury.1.4LiteraturereviewJaneEyreisoneofthemasterpiecesinEnglishliteratureforitsuniquecontentsandexquisitemethodsofimpression.Ithasbeenanalyzedfromdifferentanglessinceitwaspublished.Peopleconstantlystudyitfromdifferentperspectives,suchasrealism,modernism,feminismandsoon.Thethesis–WomenImagesofJaneEyrewrittenbyYangHongyan,revealsthespecialfemininesexualrealityandawarenessoffemalesexualityfromrealisticperspective(Yang,2003).HuChunlingfrommodernistwayregardsJaneEyreastheprecursoroffeminismonhermasterthesis–theModernityofJaneEyre(Hu,2002).LiShuyanexploreswomen’sliberationinJaneEyreonherpaper–GenderAwarenessofJaneEyre,whichisbasedonfeminism(Li,2005).Scholarsstillkeepondiggingitspotentialintentions,delicateskillsandwritingstyle.Mydiscussionofthenovel,basedoncharacters,doesnotonlyfocusontheanalysisoftheprotagonist’spursuitofequalityandindependence,butalsofocusesontheheroine’ssenseofinferiority,conservativepersonalityandweakness.AnalyzingJaneEyre’scharacterinboththepositiveandnegativesidecanhelpustohaveabetterunderstandingoftheheroineandthetheme.2.AnalysisofJaneEyre’sDoubleCharactersIntraditionalEnglishnovels,theheroinesareusuallybeautifulwomen,andtheirlovestoriesaredescribedasmodestandsincere,richinpoeticflavor.Againsttraditionalstyleofwriting,Charlottediscardsalltheestablishedstandardsinnovels,andboldlycreatesaheroineasherself,shortandordinarylooking,butcanarousetheinterestofthereaders.ItisapioneeringworkinthehistoryofEnglishliterature(Liu,2008:62).TheattractionofJaneEyreliesinheruniquecharacter.ThebasiccharacteristicofJaneEyreisherclaimingbalanceinlife,seekingindependenceineconomyandspirit,pursuingequalityinlove.However,shealsoshowsushernegativesidetousonherroadsoflifetofightingwiththeconventionalthinkingofwomen,traditionalmarriageformthatisself-abasement,weaknessandconservativepersonality.Havingthedignity,livingfreelyandpossessingtherighttopursuehappinessarethebasicpower.However,therealitiesshefacesareruthlessnessof“relatives”,hypocrisy,oppressionof“Orphanage”andunctionofupperclass.JaneEyre’slifeisfloodedwithallofthesecompletely.Ononehand,miserablefatecausesJaneEyretolearnthatdignityandfreedomaresoestimableandinviolable.Ontheotherhand,thehardlifeandtheextraordinarysituationtrainsJaneEyreandgivesherfortitudinousspiritandmarvelouscourage.Theanalysisconsistsofthefollowingfivestagesoftheheroine’slife:Gasteshead–Lowood–Thornfield–MoorHouse–Ferndean.2.1JaneEyreinGatesheadJaneisanorphanwhoseparentsdiedwhenshewasveryyounganditwasheruncle-Mr.ReedtookherinandbroughthertoGateshead.Hemadehiswifepromisetobringherupastheirowndaughterwhenhewasdying.Afterheruncledied,Janesuffersallkindsofmaltreatfrombothherauntandhercousins,eventheservantsareunfriendlytoher.Duringthenineyearswithoutheruncle’scare,Jane,theten-year-oldlittlegirl,experiencesdeeplytheunfairnessoftheworld.However,Janeisbynomeansagirlwhoresignsherselftoadversity.Althoughsheisorphanedandhelpless,youngandfriendless,shedoesnotpandertoheraunt’sandcousins’tastesagainstherownwill.Shetriesherbesttorebeleventhoughitwillinviteworsemaltreatment.2.1.1Janewalkedacrossourfieldofviewasatraitor,andshewastherepresentativeofabravewomantofightforherdestiny.ThoughJanedependedonherownefforts,hercouragetochallengetheunjustsocietyshouldberespected.Shewasbroughtupbyheraunt,andneverbetakencareof,butalwaysgivenasterntickingoffandbloody-mindedbyMrs.Reedandherchildren.HercousinJohnReedcursesher:Youhavenobusinesstoourbooks;youareadependant,mammasays;youhavenomoney;yourfatherleftyounone;yououghttobeg,andnottoliveherewithgentlemen’schildrenlikeus,andeatthesamemealswedo,andwearclothesatourmamma’sexpense.Now,I’llteachyoutorummagemybook-shelves;fortheyaremine;allthehousebelongstome,orwilldoinafewyears.Goandstandbythedoor,outofthewayofthemirrorandthewindows(Bronte,2003:6)Theservantsinthefamilyalsolookdownuponher,andsaysheislessthanaservant,forshedoesnothingforherkeep.Janeseemedtobepale,thinandweak.Shewaslikeapieceofdust,nobodypaidattentiontoher.Atanytimeshemaydisappear,however,Janewasabravegirlwhodaredtofaceuptoallkindsofinjusticeandfightagainstthem(Yan,2007:16-17).Mrs.ReedwantstosendhertoLowoodSchooltothrowawaytheburden,andcalumniesandslandershertoherface.Janecannottoleratesuchhumiliation,andexposesMrs.Reed’sliesandhypocrisyangrily.Shedeclaresthat“Idislikeyoutheworstofanybodyintheworld”,andrebukedheraunt-in-law’scruelty,“YouthinkIhavenofeelings,andthatIcandowithoutonebitoflobe,orkindness,butIcannotliveso:andyouhavenopity.Ishallrememberhowyouthrustmeback…Youaredeceitful”(Shealsostrivedforequalityandfreedom.WhentheservantBessiesaidJohnwastheiryoungmaster,Janeasked“Master!Howishemymaster?AmIaservant?”(Bronte,2003:8).Here,asimplerhetoricalquestionembodiesJane’sdesiretofightforequalityandfreedom.Janesufferedvariousviolenttreatmentsbyherauntandcousins,andfinallybrokeoutandspokeallheranger.Misfortuneandsufferingsbuiltupherstrengthofcharacterandstubborndispositionwithagentlenatureandastrongwill.Underherlittle,weakandplainappearance,hardlyanybodywouldbelieveshehasthetensilespiritandpassionatesoul.2.1.2LackofconfidenceinappearanceBeautyisoneofthegiftsofwomenandsuchkindofvalue-orientationhasneverbeenchangedfromancienttimestopresent.Thewomanwhoislackofbeautycanmakeherfeelinferior.Therefore,theplainandpoorgirls,amongwhomJaneEyrewas,haveaself-abasedmentalitynaturally.JaneEyrefelttinyandlowaboutherout-looking,whichfirstlyshowedusherself-abasement.WhenJaneEyrewasachild,shewasdiscontentedandsensitiveabouthershortandslightstature,andirregularfacialfeatures.WhenJanewasilltreatedbyheraunt,shewassufferingseverelyfromherself-abasement.AchildasJanewas,shefeltlowerthanothersonlyandwasupsetbecauseofherlooks.EvenwhenJanewashumiliatedtodetest,shespenthermiserablechildhoodoncurlingupwithself-abasement.ShewastorturedbyfeelinginferiorwhenshewasmaltreatedbyMrs.Reedandlockedinthered-room.IknowthathadIbeenasanguine,brilliant,careless,exacting,handsome,rompingchild–thoughequallydependentandfriendless–Mrs.Reedwouldhaveenduredmypresencemorecomplacently;herchildrenwouldhaveentertainedformemoreofthecordialityoffellow-feeling;theservantswouldhavebeenlesspronetomakemethescapegoatofthenursery(Bronte,2003:13).ItwillbeseenfromherethatlackingofconfidenceisaheavymentalburdenforJaneEyre.2.2JaneEyreinLowoodTheexperienceinLowoodisonefullofdifficultiesandlonelinessaswellassuccessandfriendship.JaneissentawaytoacharityschoolrunbyMr.Brocklehurst,wherethroughtheharshregime,shelearnshowtosurviveandeventuallysucceedsinbecomingateacherthere.2.2.1ThekindnessofJaneEyreJanetakesapositiveattitudetowardslife;shebelievesthatshewouldreachherlife’saimbasedonherhardworld.Shedoesnotjudgeapersonaccordingtotheirappearance.Sheprobespeople’sinnerworld,tryingtofindoutbeautywhichcouldleadtohermarchonforever.HelenandTempleappearstoJane’steachers,whotellJanetherightattitudetowardspeopleandworld.WhenMr.Brocklehurstaccusesherwrongly,HelencomfortsJane:Mr.Brocklehurstisnotagod:norisheevenagreatandadmiredman:heislittlelikedhere;henevertookstepstomakehimselfliked…Teachersandpupilsmaylookcoldlyonyouforadayortwo,butfriendlyfeelingsareconcealedintheirhearts;andifyoupersevereindoingwell,thesefeelingswillerelongappearsomuchthemoreevidentlyforthetemporarysuppression.Besides,Jane-”“Ifalltheworldhatedyou,andbelievedyouwicked,whileyourownconscienceapprovedyou,andabsolvedyoufromguilt,youwouldnotbewithoutfriends(Bronte,2003:87).MissTempleisanotherpersonwhoseenlighteningpoweronJaneshouldnotbeneglected.Asamother-likesuperintendent,MissTempleshedsfurtherlightonJane’sgrowth.InJane’smind,MissTemplealwayshas“somethingofserenityinherair,ofstateinhermien,ofrefinedproprietyinherlanguage,whichprecludeddeviationintotheardent,theexcited,theeager:somethingwhichchastenedthepleasureofthosewholookedonher,andlistenedtoher,byacontrollingsenseofawe;andsuchwasmyfeelingnowJaneabsorbsthepeaceful,kindcreedandtakesasimilarworld’sview.ThisisJane’sspiritualprop.Apartfromthem,shegetsmoreknowledgefrombooksandexperiences.Sheissensitivetofeelingandbeautyinlife,enjoyingthemandabsorbingthemtobecomeherself.Shedrawstheessenceintheair,shereleasesherloveandbeautytotheair,shefeelstheworldwithherheart,andshedescribestheworldwithherdrawing.Herlifeishard,butbeautiful.Shealwaysinsistsonherbelief.ThoughthemaltreatmentofJaneEyrebyheraunt-in-lawarousesherindignation,sheisstillawomanwithkindness(Xu,2007:166).WhenthenewsisaddressedtoJanethatMrs.Reed’sfamilyhasbrokenupanddecimated,shereturnstoGateshead.HerchangedattitudetoMrs.Reedandherdaughtersshowshowwellshehasdevelopedthesehumanvirtues.2.2.2JaneEyre’ssenseofinferiorityWhenJaneEyreisincharityschool,shecomparesherselftotheslaveagainanditstrengthensherself-abasedpsychology.Itshowsusherself-abasementonherlowstatus(Liu,2009).WhentheslategetsbrokenbyJane,Mr.BrocklehurstpunishesherinpublicandasksthemonitortoplaceJaneuponit.Janesuffershisabusingvocallyandverbalattackunderthewatchfuleyeofthepeople.…thisisasad,amelancholyoccasion;foritbecomesmydutytowarnyouthatthisgirl,whomightbeoneofGod’sownlambs,isalittlecastaway–notamemberofthetrueflock,butevidentlyaninterloperandanalien.Youmustbeonyourguardagainsther;youmustshunherexample…for(mytonguefalterswhileItellit)thisgirl,thischild,thenativeofaChristianland,worsethanmanyalittleheathenwhosaysitsprayerstoBrahmaandkneelsbeforeJuggernaut–thisgirlis–aliar!(Bronte,2003:83)EnglandisaChristiancountry,butthepagansaretheonewhoholdtheorthdoxandcorevalueagainstreligiousdoctrine.TheyabandontheirfaithinChristandcallthemselvesoutofapostasyobviously.Theycomefromasplinterofthechurchorleaveit;therefore,theywoulddisobeythedoctrinesandinvokeconflictsfrequently(Liu,2009).ThisshowsthatitisanassertiontodisparageaheathenandJanewaslabeledasagirlwhowasworsethanmanyalittleheathen.ItleftJanephysicallyandpsychologicallyscarredandshefeltself-abaseddeeply.TherewasI,then,mountedaloft:I,whohadsaidIcouldnotbeartheshameofstandingonmynaturalfeetinthemiddleoftheroom,wasnowexposedtogeneralviewonapedestalofinfamy.Whatmysensationswere,nolanguagecandescribe;but,justastheyallrose,stiflingmybreathandconstrictingmythroat…(Bronte,2003:84)2.3JaneEyreinThornfieldAfterMissTemple’smarriageandmovedoutofthecharityschool,JanedecidestopursueadifferentlifeatThornfield.SheadvertisesinthelocalpaperandgetsapositionasagovernessforAdeleVarensatThornfield.LifeatThornfieldisthemostromanticexperiencefortheprotagonist,butitalsobringsJanetothemostseverepsychologicalinnerconflict.LifehereattheverybeginningisveryquietandhappyforJane.Thepupilwaslovely;themasterisouttraveling,thehousekeeperMrs.Fairfaxisamiable;allthesemakeJane’sstaythemostpeacefultimeinherlife.ShemeetsMr.Rochesterforthefirsttimewhilesheiswalkingbackhome,goingtohisaidafterhishorsehadthrownhimoff.T2.3.1DauntlesscontendingBeingagovernessinThornfieldHallisanewstageinJaneEyre’scontactwithsociety.Fromthenon,herrebelliousandindependentspiritismainlydisplayedinherattitudetolove.WhenshefirstcomestoThornfieldHall,JaneEyredoesnotfeelashamedofherungainlyappearanceandpoverty-strickenstate.Butsheisacute,self-dignified,andgruff,andshedefendsherdignityasdefendingherlife.Shedoesnotshowanysubserviencebeforeherwealthyandarrogantmaster,andalwayskeepsneitherhumblenorhaughty.WhenMasterRochesterordersJaneEyretopleasehimbytalkingmorewithhim,sherefusesfirmly.Tospeaktruth,sir,Idon’tunderstandyouatall;Icannotkeepuptheconversation,becauseithasgotoutofmydepth.OnlyonethingIknow:yousaidyouwerenotasgoodasyouwouldliketobe,andthatyouregrettedyourownimperfection;onethingIcancomprehend:youintimatedthattohaveasulliedmemorywasaperpetualban.Itseemstome,thatifyoutriedhard,youwouldintimefindit…(Bronte,2003:180)InJaneEyre’seyes,Mr.Rochestercannotconsiderhimselfsuperiortoherregardingtohisageandexperience.Andhisaristocraticstatusandtheemployer-employeerelationwithhercouldnotmakeherextremelyobedient.HerunusualcharacterandwisdomandherviewtosocialconventionsattractMr.Rochester.2.3.2SuccumbingtotraditionalformofmarriageAstheloveistoreachtheso-calledperfection,whenJaneEyrejusttastesthesweetnessoflove,theexposureof“Berthaevent”givesJaneasuddenblow.ThoughthemarriageofRochesterandBerthaMasonisreallyamoneydeal,thefactthatMasonisRochester’swifeisthecruelreality.Cruelrealitycouldnotdenythepureandperfectlove,butitdestinesthatthemarriageofJaneEyreandRochesterisamarriagewithoutdignity.IfJaneEyreremainsatThronfield,shecannotliveasagoverness,butisregardedasamistressofMr.Rochester.Obviously,thesedonotconformhersteadywilltopursueanequal,dignifiedlife.ItisanunacceptablefacttoJaneEyre.Inheropinion,theremustbeequality,freedomanddignity,ifthereislove.Otherwise,sheprefersgivinguplovetolosingequality,freedomanddignity.Finally,shesuccumbstotraditionalformofmarriageandleftMr.Rochesterforherconservativepersonalityandweakness.Happy,becauseofgain,oneishappy.Sad,becauseofabandon,oneissad.JaneEyrecouldnotlivealifewithoutdignity,equalityandhonor.Thatisjustwhyshestopsthebriefhappylifeactively.Duringthechoicebetweensadnessandhappiness,therebelliousspiritofJaneEyreweathersthetrialofloveandmarriage,anddevelops(Lin,2004:69).2.4JaneEyreinMoorHouse——RefusalofamarriagewithoutloveWanderinghereandthere,sheisnearlydead.TheclergymanSt.Johntakesherhomeoutofpityandsympathy.Hissistersareveryfriendlyandwarmheartedtoherastotheirrelatives.Withtheircare,JaneEyrerecoversherhealth.LatersheworksasavillageteacherinachurchschoolthroughSt.John’St.JohnthinkshighlyofJane’stalentandgratitude,andmakesanofferofmarriageseveraltimes.ButinJaneEyre’seyes,heisahard-hearted,meanandarbitraryman.WhenSt.Johnuses“God’swill”toforceJaneEyretomarryhim,sheresolutelyrefuseshim.Thisisthecontinuousdevelopmentofherindependentcharacter,andalsoshowsherunswervingloyaltytoRochester.Shepenetratinglypointsout,“Heprizesmeasasoldierwouldagoodweapon,andthatisall”(Bronte,2003:272).IfsheyieldstoSt.Johnrequest,that’sequaltogivingupherownindependentindividualityandbetraysheraffectiontoactashismissionarytool.Sheisagainstthemarriageconcerningonlywithcauseandwithoutlove,andtellsSt.Johnfranklythatifsheisnotformedforlove,andthensheisnotformedformarriage.2.5JaneEyreinFerndean——IndependencebothinpersonalityandeconomyThenextday,JaneEyreleavesSt.John’shomeandreturnstoThornfieldHall,whereshefindshertrueloveandhome.JaneEyre’sescapefromSt.JohntoMr.RochesteristhereverseofherflightformThornfield,andinleavingMoorHouseshehasnoneofthedoubtsthatshefeltonleavingMr.Rochesterformerly;toreturnMoreover,theunexpectedbutvaluableheritageforJanemakeshergetafirmholdonhereconomicindependence,whichfurtherensuresherspiritualfreedom.Iamanindependentwomannow…Iamindependent,aswellasrich——Iammyownmistress(Bronte,2003:583-584).Generally,economicstatusisthenecessaryaccesstowardsone’sspiritualliberty.AsforJane,povertysometimesalsoworkstosteelJane’swill,forthemerepovertysavesherfrombelongingtoanymaterialthings,whicheventuallyservesasapromptingtotheindependence(Hu,2002).3.ConclusionThepossiblethematictopicofthenovel,includingpersonaldevelopment,freedom,eventheconflictbetweenreasonandpassion,retainsitastrongappealtoreadersfromVictoriantimetothepresentday.ThecharactersofJaneEyrecanbeunderstoodfrommanyaspects.Throughoutthenovel,JaneEyresparesnoeffortstoachievetheindependenceintermseconomicsituationandspiritualworld.Asanorphangirlwithoutbeautyorwealth,JaneEyrelaysthesignificanceofherlifeonthepersistentstrivefortheindependentstatus,mentallyandphysically,whichpresentsastrongtonefarbeyondhertime’shearing(Hu,2002:46).Self-esteem,self-respectandself-reliancehadbeenatypicalglamourofJaneEyre.Whenshefacestheproblemsinlife,economyandlove,shefightsagainstherfatesuccessfully.Ontheotherhand,JaneEyreisnotasaint.Itwasnotdifficultforustofindthatsheisalsoawomanwithasenseofinferiority,conservativepersonalityandweakness,whenshefightswiththeconventionalthinki