Jane Eyre and Colonialism

As the novel Jane Eyre progresses, the second half adapts to contain more national pride and colonialism. One of the most blatant examples of colonialism was the incorporation of Bertha in the novel. Bertha was introduced at the first attempted wedding between Rochester and Jane Eyre. Once Bertha is introduced, the concept of her and her introduction were in itself in relation and intertwined with the idealism of colonialism. Rochester’s first description of Bertha includes defining her as “mad, and [coming] of a mad family” (249), in his attempt for vindication for himself. He defends himself from peoples’ opinions on his marriage, and he seeks to fully vindicate himself by inviting everybody to come see his wife (249).

When Jane first sees Bertha, she is described as a beast or a human being by Jane herself, and everybody in the room witnesses the savagery that Jane depicted her to have. Everybody in the room at this point feels rather threatened, and Mr. Rochester is to a certain extent justified due to Bertha’s different appearance. Her different hair and more aggressive attitude (who wouldn’t be aggressive if they were being held against their will?) reinforce the colonialist idea of savagery and the “rational man” having to take control and help the person who is being subjugated.

Jane Eyre in this section most blatantly shows commentary to the British Empire and their relation to slavery. The first part of Jane Eyre shows the growth of the character, the bildungsroman, and the second half shows the grown Jane through her experiences with other people, most notable Rochester and the interactions that they have with Bertha. The sense of colonialism and national pride that Jane has is a direct result of the growing naval fleet and conquering of different areas and obtaining of different peoples.