Jane Eyre is a novel that is relatively simple to look at alongside the theory of Marxism. Karl Marx stated that it was ‘not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness’. There are many characters in Jane Eyre that have led their lives in very different places than each other.
Firstly, Jane herself spent most of her early years at a school for girls. There, she had nothing material, and not a privileged life. Because of this, she grows into an adult, who does not yearn for material goods or a wealthy life, but an honest and good one. This outcome does not support the theory of Marxism, because despite Jane never experiencing owning anything valuable or precious, she doesn’t ever aspire to.
For a character that does fit in with the theory of Marxism, Adele (Rochester’s ward) is a good example. She is a French girl who has been brought up in a wealthy home. She is constantly craving for the attention of Rochester, and the attentions of all the rich guests. She has lived a privileged life, around wealthy people, and can appear to the reader to be ‘spoilt’, which would tie in with the theory of Marxism.
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Fine. Broaden it a bit to think of how a character's thoughts are influenced. It's not always a question of wealth. Surely Jane is influenced by the society she finds herself in. What about at the start where she is treated like a servant?
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