The Bluestocking 2023-24

lavishly; flash her glances so unremittingly; manufacture airs so elaborate, graces so multitudinous” (Bronte 1: 277, ch.xxi). She is a traditional one-dimensional character who more accurately represents the stereotypical woman in 18th-century England. Miss Ingram relies on her beauty and class in pursuit of her only goal which is to marry a wealthy man. When she is tricked into thinking that Mr. Rochester is not wealthy, Gypsy said, “I told her [Miss Ingram] something on that point about an hour ago, which made her look wondrous grave: the corners of her mouth fell half an inch” (Bronte 1: 259; ch. xix) Ms. Ingram was disappointed and lost her taste towards her lover which represented women in a way that made it seem like they only care about money. Her character was no longer a part of the story once this was over, signifying that there was not much substance to her other than this. Thus, she serves as a representation of a one-dimensional woman. In contrast to Miss Ingram, the protagonist of the novel, Jane Eyre, is anything but a stereotypical woman for her time. Throughout the novel she exhibits traits of a strong-minded and outspoken individual, unafraid to speak her true thoughts and desires. For example, after Mr. Rochester tries to win her love, even though he seems ready to marry Miss Ingram, he calls Jane a frantic bird when she is getting upset. She boldly responds to her master saying, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will; which I now exert to leave you” (Bronte 2: 18; ch.xxiii). This demonstrates that Jane is a strong woman because she chooses self-respect in this moment, and does not just go along with what her master wants. Jane seeks equality at a time when women were far from equal. Jane bravely refuses to be put in a box, even challenging the idea that women should be content to do household chores. She says: Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts, as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, to absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making 42