Reconciling Conflict: Species Being and Spirituality in Jane Eyre

Abstract

Throughout Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre, Jane struggles against the stringent, hierarchy of organized religion. Nevertheless, she strives to find a form of faith that appeals to her sensibilities concerning equality, fairness, and justice. By seeking solace in the natural realm, Jane begins to develop a sense of kinship with the larger world and those around her--although this is a sentiment she does not fully comprehend until the very end of the novel. In “The Climate of History: Four Theses,” Dipesh Chakrabarty explores the anxiety of species being and the alienating impact of capitalist organizational structures. Institutionalized religion functions in Jane Eyre to isolate individuals and create dependency on the organization. By virtue of her own, independent nature, and coupled with the aid of Helen Burns and Mr. Rochester, who guide and challenge her along the way, Jane grows to fashion her own definition of faith. Jane Eyre's divine alliance is one that remains firmly grounded in the natural world, a realm free of societal hierarchies, class, and gender barriers. Through reconciling God and Nature, Jane comes to terms with the larger web of existence, eventually asserting herself to find love and happiness.