Surrogate Mothers: Subversion of Motherhood in Jane Eyre

In her much-discussed novel Jane Eyre (2001), Charlotte Brontë introduces an unconventional female character who defies nineteenth-century norms, highlighting women’s freedom and equality with men. Orphaned at a young age, the protagonist Jane navigates the difficulties of life, first at her aunt’s house, then at a girls’ boarding school with strict rules, and later at a mansion where she becomes a governess. The character’s rebellious nature against the injustices she faces enables her to educate herself and go beyond social expectations. Not only the defiant spirit of the protagonist, but also the influence of the maternal characters serve as a milestone in Jane’s identity formation. Thanks to these, Jane eventually begins to reject both male supremacy and the gender roles ascribed to women. Given motherhood’s strong association with female gender, this paper analyzes the representations of mothers, especially those of Mrs Reed, Miss Temple, Mrs Fairfax, and, to some extent, Bessie, in Jane Eyre, exploring their influence on Jane’s quest for the self. Also, the study examines how the dialectical relationship between the mother and the daughter–that is, their dynamic interplay of contrasting perspectives and influences–subverts the traditional perception of motherhood.