The main interest of this novel is not to be found in its depiction of social class but rather the multiple representation of the main protagonist. Charlotte Bronte uses the character Jane Eyre to represent children who were seen but not heard “ ” A women in a patriarchy society and the treatment of the proletarian by the bourgeoisie. Bronte creates a microcosm were each character represents an aspect of society and through their interaction and treatment of Jane the reader is able to get a true understanding of the multiple themes, the Victorian society and Bronte’s own social and political believes . Therefore this novel is too complex to be simply associated with the theme of social class.

Throughout the novel Jane finds herself in a state of isolation .At the start of the novel through the interaction between John reed and Jane Eyre Bronte is able to portray a patriarchy society and show how it starts from a young age “ for they are mine” the use of personal pronouns further indicates his power over Jane . Even the servants recognise his position in the house hold “your master” as if he owns Jane. A Mere child. The use of the word “master” implies that she is his property and that she is below him in statues. . In a society where religion was everything and God was seen as the creator of all things men were seen as the closest thing to God in terms of the amount of power they held clearly demonstrating how insignificant women where compared to men in the Victorian society. The reader is able to understand Brontes feeling on this subject through the description of john by Jane “heavy limbs and large extremities. He gorged himself habitually at table, which made him bilious” By giving a negative description it shows that Jane clearly dislikes John and therefore does not see him as her master as she does not submit to his cruel actions but rather stands up for herself. This shows that Bronte disagrees with the treatment of women. Bronte is able to express her opinion through Jane subtly without saying it out right. This was important as the time the book was published it would not have been proper to questions societies norms and this is further proven by how charlotte Bronte wrote her books under an alias clearly showing how less women where to men.

Charlotte Bronte uses the character Jane to represent the lower class. The treatment of Jane by Ms Reed shows how cruelly those of lower class where treated. “I wish her to be brought up in a manner suiting her prospect” She wants Jane to be brought up as a poor child. This shows that not only is Ms Reed cold hearted but that those of the upper class where unwilling to help those in need. Her own cousins consider her insignificant “you rat” by referring to her as an animal it shows how the upper class thought the lower class as not been better than animals. Been poor was associated with having no morals yet Jane is able to prove this wrong. “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong” Janes ability to question her fate and stand for herself enable her to change social positions. Bronte is using Jane as a sympol of what women should be like. They should be able to stand up for them self and not be treated as second class citizens they should be strong and independent. Bronte changes Jane’s prospect and proving Ms Reed wrong showing that the upper class doesn’t know it all. Bronte is able to provide hope and promote change. She is able to inspire her female reads and show them that things can change as well as challenging her readers by criticising their actions and Victorian society.

The development of Jane is an important part of this Novel. The reader first meets Jane as a young child who feels lonely and isolated. In the opening chapters the images of birds symbolise the entrapment she felt in the house as well as in society. This makes the reader wonder if she will ever be free. Jane grows up to be an independent women although she faces many hardship she over comes it and through the problems she faces the reader can see how she deals with the obstacles and how they affect her.
Although social class is an important aspect of this novel Bronte’s criticism of the Victorian society is more important. Not only does she criticise she offers a solution through Jane of what women should be like. She offers hope and change and shows that there is another option. Bronte subtle messages are the important aspect of this novel. Bronte uses her characters as a vassal to deliver her points of view and challenge society. The main interest of his novel can be found in the depiction of the multiple themes and Charlotte Bronte’s criticism of society.