Social class is an important theme that runs through Bronte's novel, Jane Eyre. Within the Victorian time period the social hierarchy determined where in society you moved about and also how others within society would treat you. Social standing was usually an unwavering state, but Jane blurred the lines when she accepted the governess position at Thornfield. The governess position in of itself was an awkward spot to be in and Jane being as smart and reserved as she was made the position even more uncomfortable. Jane was definitely everyone's intellectual equal, in some cases even their superior. However, her social standing kept her from flourishing and bogged her down instead. Jane had to dress appropriately and nicely because as a governess she was basically a part of the family, but she was at the same time not equal to the family. Being a governess seems to be an under appreciated position to hold. The only thing keeping governesses down is something they cannot help, because they were born into their social ranking.
Jane realizes the awkward tension that comes with being a governess, but realizes it even more so when she falls for Rochester. Her desires for him run deep but her social standing is in the way of her happiness. Jane seems to be the outlet for critique of Victorian social statuses for Charlotte Bronte within this novel. Jane becomes fed up with her situation and actually voices her concerns to Rochester, "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure,
plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I
have as much soul as you—and full as much heart! And if God had
gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it
as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you"(132). Jane is saying that she is as much of a person as Rochester is and if she had been born into different circumstances and had maybe even been prettier, he would not be able to resist or leave her; he would understand how she felt at that moment, wanting someone so baldly but not being able to have them. Bronte does not stray from the social class structure and only allows Jane to marry Rochester once she inherits a great sum of money and becomes his social equal. I think that it is an important point to make that she does not stray from the social class structure just for the sake of writing an interesting story. It seems that even in her somewhat imagined world of Jane Eyre she feels restricted by social class and does not betray its strict guidelines.
