Over the course of time, there has been countless discourse over the morality of the human mind. One particular take on human nature, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, states, “People in their natural state are basically good. But this natural innocence, however, is corrupted by the evils of society”. This line reverberates with the main character of Charlotte Brontë’s arguably most popular novel: Jane Eyre’s moral journey, and how the development in her morals are reflected in her maturity and surroundings. 

For most of the novel, Jane’s beliefs stem from experience, much of which could be gained from simply living in Victorian society; in a time where Christianity, wealth and social statuses ruled. However, the reasons behind her morals vary from source to source, especially when Jane opens up to religion later in the storyline. Wherever it may originate, her beliefs —like most everybody else— are heavily determined by what she had ( and lacked ) in her childhood. 

From the very beginning of the novel, Jane’s living situation as the Reed’s ward is revealed as less than ideal for a child her age, as represented by this line said by one of her family members, “...you are a dependant, Mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg…” ( Brontë, 12 ). This pattern of ill-treatment would then impact the way with which Jane looks upon the rest of the world.

The effects of her childhood abuse is most prominent during her years in Lowood, in the way she is almost desperate for love and recognition as well as how high of a pedestal she holds “justice”. When Helen scolds Jane for her worship of human love, Jane answers “...to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me…” ( Brontë, 94 ). This statement alone conveys the severity of Jane’s hopelessness for love, and how far she would go simply to experience affection. This type of mindset comes often with naivety and blindness for those who show her even just an ounce of kindness. 

Be that as it may, Jane does not retain the same amount of goodwill for those who wronged her, particularly during her earlier years. This despise for injustice can be seen in her lack of sympathy for Helen’s values of forgiveness, as proven when Jane laments, “When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should — so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.” ( Brontë, 77 ). She does not tolerate mistreatment towards herself or towards the people she loves. 

At this point of her life, her morals are polar extremes; someone is either all good or all evil and her decided image of them reflects in the way she thinks of them ( “...if anyone asks me how I liked you, and how you treated me, I will say the very thought of you makes me sick..” Brontë, 47 and “...yet I never tired of Helen Burns; nor ever ceased to cherish for her a sentiment of attachment, as strong, tender and respectful as any that ever animated my heart.” Brontë, 106 ). However, it is important to keep in mind that Jane is but a 10 year old in these first few chapters in Gateshead and Lowood. As of yet, she sees no reason in forgiving the immoral or doubting the virtuous. 

As Jane grows older, these ultimatums simmer down in terms of intensity, as she begins to take in influence from those around her. After Helen’s death, if it may be taken as a trigger for Jane, her morality becomes more developed and mature. Meeting different people and experiencing the rest of society —such as the nobles in Edward Rochester’s circle and her estranged family in Whitcross— allows Jane room to continue improving the faults in her beliefs. This is most notable when she has realized her feelings for Rochester, as well as his plan to marry Blanche Ingram. The way she goes about this dilemma speaks volumes about her morality.

Jane’s sensitivity towards other people shines especially in this part of her life. While she scorns herself for having romantic feelings towards Rochester, she does not give the same sentiment towards Ingram and Rochester. She is more understanding when it comes to others, whilst being harsh on herself. While she has every right to mourn her loss of love, she instead sympathizes with the two characters, stating “...the less I felt justified in judging and blaming either him or Miss Ingram for acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled into them, doubtless, from their childhood.” ( Brontë, 255 ). Her principles keep her compassionate, even when the people around her are less than that. 

Jane’s kindness and understanding —as well as her experience in poverty and an abusive household— breeds a lack of prejudiced judgment. She has felt what it is like to be defined by a title, or by circumstances that one was born into, and so she feels more tender than most towards others like her, or more unfortunate. “Some of the best people that ever lived have been as destitute as I am; and if you are a Christian, you ought not to consider poverty a crime.” ( Brontë, 466 ). In this line, Jane shows her maturation; from thinking it impossible for the impoverished to be good people ( Brontë, 31 ), to defending them against the stereotypes forced upon them, just as assumptions of her character had been forced onto her. 

Such presumptions are present during her and Rochester’s fallout —when he begs her to stay as his mistress— despite that meaning she must compromise her own self-dignity. At this crossroads, she almost immediately decides on her departure from Rochester, both physically and emotionally ( “But the answer my mind gave — “Leave Thornfield at once”— was so prompt, so dread, that I stopped my ears.” Brontë, 405 ). This is Jane putting herself and her integrity first, before anything or anyone else. It is here that her morals concerning her self-autonomy is most obvious, where she would not stay with the love of her life if it meant she could not achieve a relationship of equal standing.

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” ( Brontë, 432 ). This pronouncement sums up Jane’s values, how she will always put reason and think a situation through before making rash decisions. That is not to say her emotions are of no importance to her —quite the contrary, when she returns to Rochester in the end— but she is not the type of person who would ( any longer ) be impulsive and excitable.

Jane’s morals have developed much ever since her childhood days, and while they are a result of hard-learned lessons, she has grown for the better and is now a better person than she has ever been. Her compassion, sympathy, understanding and lack of prejudice allows for her to go through life with clarity and peace. Being straightforward and unfrightened to correct others, Jane displays a high sense of morality and righteousness, all of which stems from her childhood, her friends and family and most importantly, her inner-self. 

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