Jane Eyre: A Proverbs 31 Woman

My mom, sister, and I have been on a huge Jane Eyre kick lately after my friend Lyndsey let us borrow the BBC 2006 movie version of Bronte’s novel. I had read the classic as a senior in high school, but I don’t remember books or movies very well unless I have seen them a few times, and therefore, I didn’t remember the twist in the story until I pulled out my senior writing portfolio from our living room bookshelf and turned to my literary analysis over Jane Eyre:

(Spoiler alert!)

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” The tenth verse of Proverbs 31 embodies many prominent figures throughout history, yet perhaps no protagonist quite meets the description as Charlotte Bronte’s beloved Jane Eyre does. Jane, the heroine of the novel, is a favorite character among several generations of readers. Though some may perceive the novel as unnecessarily lengthy and the word choice ostentations, those who can appreciate the historical flow of the sentences and narrative structure find themselves enraptured with this independent, albeit upright and wholesome, character, Jane Eyre. Amidst each struggle, turmoil, and tribulation, Jane remains a character of the highest honor, the purest form, and the truest beauty–a genuine Proverbs 31 woman.

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20). Perhaps the first instance of Jane’s exemplary features is her willingness to assist Mr. Rochester, a stranger at the time, whose horse had slipped on a sheet of ice and who had injured his foot. Jane proved to be of some ready assistance that night; she refused to leave until she was sure that Mr. Rochester was able to resume position on his horse, and she was instrumental in aiding him with that particular task. In another section of the novel, Jane talks neither jealously nor angrily about Mr. Rochester’s mad wife. Instead, she refers to her with pity. To Mr. Rochester, she says, “[...] you are inexorable for the unfortunate lady: you speak of her with hate–with vindictive antipathy. It is cruel–she cannot help being mad” (347). Indeed, this woman was a servant to the poor and needy.

Several verses of Proverbs 31 speak about the importance of a woman’s handiwork. Though on the surface this may seem to have no moral relevance, the display of hard work helps to paint a complete picture of a virtuous woman. Jane Eyre often assumed the personal responsibility of securing her own jobs. She also set aside her German studies for many months in order to learn Hindostanee at the request of St. John, her cousin. Throughout her life she strove to make herself useful to those around her.

Perhaps the quintessence of Jane’s morality and upright values lies in the part where she physically detaches herself from Mr. Rochester after she learns that he is already wed. Though she is never able to sever the emotional ties, her conscience leads her to refuse to remain with Mr. Rochester as his mistress. So that she does not lead him on or tempt him in any way, Jane steals away in the night, a demonstration of true love. At the end of the book, a reunion occurs. Jane knows that her marriage to the crippled and blind Mr. Rochester will render her a servant for the rest of her life; she wholeheartedly accepts the position. Proverbs 31:11 and 12: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” What can more purely explicate the relationship between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester than this?

“Strength and honour are her clothing [...]” from Proverbs 31:25 is a phrase that characterizes Jane Eyre. Claiming independence in the final chapters, she is the epitome of the adage “a Proverbs 31 woman.” Though many fictional and real women are compared to this unnamed biblical character, Jane Eyre truly personifies this moral and virtuous being. Her steadfast dependence on her Lord has undoubtedly allowed her to overcome life’s torrents, and women today can follow her examples and take inspiration from her life.