I’ve been wanting to do a more obscure character comparison and Jane Eyre and Beatrice, Tris, Prior has been playing in my head for a while. Although this comparison may seem far-fetched, the female characters in the dystopian societies may be attempting to overthrow governments, but the female characters in the Victorian societies were breaking social class stereotypes, which is just as notable considering the context of the time period.
Jane Eyre was published in 1847 by Charlotte Brönte. The novel is considered to be a bildungsroman, because the story follows the protagonist through her life trials from childhood to adulthood. Brönte demonstrates how Jane Eyre is able to conquer her struggles like an abusive family and a mysterious master with a dark past. Divergent by Veronica Roth was published in 2011 and follows Tris, starting at the age of sixteen. While Jane lives in the constraints of the nineteenth century, Tris lives in the limits of her dystopian society. In this society, there are five factions: Amity, Erudite, Abnegation, Dauntless, and Candor. Each faction believes in and revolves around the adjective they are named after. All sixteen-year-olds in this society must decide which faction they will live in for the rest of their lives, possibly severing ties with their families. Although Tris’s trials are in a different setting than Jane’s, both protagonists have similar personality traits, character arcs, and interactions with the world around them, which set these characters apart from other passive female characters.
At first glance, Jane Eyre and Tris Prior appear to be characters that have absolutely nothing in common. Jane is an orphaned governess in the nineteenth century and Tris is a Divergent rebel in a futuristic society. Both of their stories, however, have a theme of perseverance, where Jane and Tris overcome obstacles and self-doubt. Both characters transform throughout their stories, finding the confidence they need. At the start of the novels, Jane and Tris are extremely self-conscious, as they are constantly ridiculed and are labeled as outcasts wherever they go; however, by the end of the novel, through the characters they build relationships with, particularly with the male character with whom they have a romantic relationship, Jane and Tris transform into fierce self-assured characters.
First, both Jane and Tris are consumed with self-doubt throughout the beginning of their novels. They are unaware of their own capabilities, as they only recognize their flaws. They also both have negative body images. At the beginning of Divergent, Tris is trying to decide if she should remain in the faction she grew up in, Abnegation, which values selflessness, or go to a new faction, Dauntless, which values bravery, without her family. When reflecting on remaining in her faction Tris says, “But I am not selfless enough. Sixteen years of trying and I am not good enough” (Roth 43). Tris constantly degrades herself for not being “good enough” in every aspect of her life. After the choosing ceremony, when she decides to switch to the Dauntless faction, Tris doubts her decision and does not believe she can successfully pass the Dauntless initiation process to become an official member. Her initial self-doubt when starting the initiation process is clear when she says, “My odds, as the smallest initiate, as the only Abnegation transfer, are not good” (Roth 72). Tris initially has no faith in herself and does not believe she has the strength to become a Dauntless member. Even when Tris does do a courageous act of being the first initiate to jump off a building into the Dauntless compound, which impresses everyone, she still doubts herself. Tris admits, “Maybe I was the first jumper, but I suspect that’s where my Dauntless fame begins and ends” (Roth 107). At the start of Divergent, Tris does not believe in herself and has exceptionally low self-esteem.
In addition, Tris has a negative body image, which further fuels her low self-esteem. Tris has many comments in which she demands that she is not pretty and still looks like a child. When one of her friends, Christina, attempts to give her a makeover, Tris says, “‘You aren't going to be able to make me pretty, you know’” (Roth 86-87). Tris tells Christina this statement like it is a fact, showing that Tris truly believes that she is not pretty. Tris’s negative body image becomes even more apparent when she develops a crush on Tobias, also known as Four, her Dauntless trainer. Tris becomes more self-conscious of her looks, as she becomes more intimate with Tobias. The first time Tris and Tobias have close body contact, Tris’s nervousness and embarrassment for her body are established through her thoughts and physical reaction: “My cheeks get hot. Can he tell that I’m still built like a child?” (Roth 324). Tris’s cheeks reddening and her worried thoughts demonstrate her hesitation with Tobias. Even when Tobias admits that he has feelings for Tris, she continues to demean herself. Replying to Tobias’s revelation that he likes her, Tris says, “‘I’m not trying to be self-deprecating…I just don’t get it. I’m younger. I’m not pretty…You know I’m not. I’m not ugly, but I am certainly not pretty” (Roth 337). Again, Tris’s self-analysis is stated as a fact through her dismissal of being “self-deprecating” and words like “certainly”. Tris’s certainty about her unattractive appearance shows how deep her self-consciousness goes.
Similarly, Jane begins the novel with a negative opinion of herself. She lives as a dependent, being an orphan, at her Aunt Reed’s house. Growing up in this house, Jane believes, like Tris, she is not and will never be good enough. Jane confesses, “Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever condemned? Why could I never please? Why was it useless to try to win anyone’s favor?” (Brontë 20). Jane constantly dwells on her faults at the beginning of the novel, which increases her self-doubt. Jane even admits that her “worse ailment was an utterable wretchedness of mind” (Brontë 25). At this point, Jane does not acknowledge her own potential or even believe she has any. Jane’s perspective continues this way when she transfers to school at Lowood. Jane emphasizes her self-doubt when she notes, “My first quarter at Lowood seemed an age; and not the golden age either; it comprised an irksome struggle with difficulties in habituating myself to new rules and unwonted tasks. The fear of failure in these points harassed me worse than the physical hardships go my lot” (Brontë 64). Just as Tris fears failure while being a Dauntless initiate, Jane fears that she will fail at her new school. Jane’s lack of confidence continues when she is about to start a new job as a governess, even after she has had many accomplishments at Lowood as both student and teacher. While traveling to her new job, Jane confesses, “All sorts of doubts and fears are troubling my thoughts” (Brontë 97). Both Jane and Tris demonstrate noteworthy abilities; however, it takes them more than half the novel for them to develop any confidence in themselves.
Furthermore, in addition to doubting her skills, Jane also has a negative body image as Tris does. Jane frequently acknowledges that she is not beautiful and notes, “I sometimes regretted that I was not handsomer; I sometimes wished to have rosy cheeks, a straight nose, and a small cherry mouth; I desired to be tall, stately, and finely developed in figure; I felt it a misfortune that I was so little, so pale, and had features so irregular and so marked” (Brontë 102). Similar to Tris, Jane describes herself as child-like, with a small height, pale body, and lack of a figure. Jane also further degrades herself when she develops a crush on her master, Mr. Rochester. When she and Mr. Rochester admit their love for each other, Jane emphasizes, “Don’t address me as if I were a beauty; I am your plain, Quakerish governess” (Brontë 254). Even after being admired by a man, Jane still sees herself as being average and simple. Jane, like Tris, states her opinion of her physical appearance as a fact.
Jane and Tris, however, soon learn how to take the negativity and rebel against it, transforming into confident and determined characters. They know who they are and they are not afraid to challenge those who doubt them. The two female characters overcome the ridicule and realize that they do belong. Right before Jane’s self-assurance is demonstrated, her sense of belonging is developed, when she realizes that “there is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow-creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort” (Brontë 243). Jane is able to build her self-esteem when she is finally accepted among others. Jane’s initial evidence of confidence is seen when she defies Mr. Rochester. She says, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will” (Brontë 250). In these lines, Jane’s self-esteem has increased tremendously from her original self-doubt. Her self-reliance is further established when she becomes financially independent and says to Mr. Rochester, her previous master, “I am independent…as well as rich: I am my own mistress” (Brontë 424). Although sometimes interpreted as stubborn, Jane adheres to her beliefs and finds her strength despite the negativity around her. Jane grows from her tough circumstances by maintaining her self-respect and conquering any obstacles.
Tris also develops into a strong independent character by growing from the challenges in her life. Like Jane, Tris’s confidence grows when she maintains a sense of belonging. Tris’s initial sense of belonging begins when she says, “I stand among a crowd of Dauntless and I feel like one of them” (Roth 224). Throughout Tris’s initiation, she struggles with feeling like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. As she discovers her strengths, however, she learns to believe in herself and find trust in others, whether they are in her faction or not. Tris develops her own sense of belonging even when her society denies her the possibility of ever fitting in. She becomes truly self-assured when she accepts who she is, rebelling against her society’s constraints and labels. Tris says, “I guess I am what I’ve always been. Not Dauntless, not Abnegation, not factionless. Divergent” (Roth 454). She obtains confidence when she learns to trust herself and the people that support her, instead of relying on a forced limitation. Tris overcomes her weaknesses and differences, so she can not only can rely on herself, but others can rely on her.
Jane and Tris both go through trials that allow them to gain confidence, but a lot of their confidence comes from their relationship with the leading male characters in their novels. At first they are both hesitant of men in general but especially of love. Their hesitation goes deeper with their romantic interests because both men are older and in a superior position to Jane and Tris. Mr. Rochester is Jane’s master and Tobias is Tris’s trainer. Jane acknowledges her denial of having affection for Mr. Rochester when she expresses, “That a greater fool than Jane Eyre had never breathed the breath of life…It does good to no woman to be flattered by her superior, who cannot possibly intend to marry her; and it is madness in all women to let a secret love kindle within them” (Brontë 160). In these lines, it is clear that Jane fears and rejects having feelings for her master, who is her “superior”. Tris has a similar fear and doubt when developing her feelings for Tobias: “The expression warms his eyes enough that I forget he’s my instructor…I think about stepping closer to him, not for an practical reason, but just because I want to see what it would be like to stand that close to him; just because I want to. Foolish, a voice says in my head” (Roth 239). Like Jane, Tris calls herself a “fool” for believing she has a chance with someone that is older than her and in a higher position than herself.
Both Mr. Rochester and Tobias notice the female characters’ hesitation, and it is their admiration of Jane and Tris that builds the protagonists’ confidence. Mr. Rochester and Tobias are so awestruck by the women that they question whether Jane and Tris are human or not. Tobias asks, “Are you human, Tris?” (Roth 144). Similarly, Mrs. Rochester says to Jane, “You are altogether a human being, Jane? You are certain of that?” (Brontë 427). Mr. Rochester’s and Tobias’s praise and confidence in Jane and Tris is what pushes their transformation into self-assured women. Tris acknowledges Tobias’s faith in her after he challenges her in front of her Dauntless initiation class: “He did what he did because he believed in my strength” (Roth 366). Soon after this, Tris begins to believe in her own strength and develop a strong sense of self. Through Mr. Rochester’s affection, Jane also becomes self-assured. Jane says to Mr. Rochester, “‘I am not an angel,’ I asserted; ‘and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me-for you will not get it, and more than I shall get it of you’” (Brontë 255). In these lines, Jane has high self-respect, which is demonstrated by the phrase “I will be myself”, which is a complete contrast to her low self-esteem at the novel's beginning. Both Jane and Tris are able to grow from their relationships in a positive way, where their independence is maintained but their confidence has increased.
Mr. Rochester and Tobias recognize Jane’s and Tris’s transformation, but they also notice and believe in the women’s strength before Jane and Tris find their own strength. Mr. Rochester tells Jane, “But to the clear eye and eloquent tongue, to the soul made of fire, and the character that bends but does not break-at once supple and stable, tractable and consistent” (Brontë 256). Mr. Rochester knows Jane’s strong will, which can be seen through the phrases “soul made of fire” and “bends but does not break”. Jane has always had a wild spirit, but her confidence does not grow until she realizes the truth in Mr. Rochester’s praises. Tobias also confesses to Tris the strength he sees in her when he says, “‘You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you’re wrong…My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press…Fear doesn’t shut you down; it wakes you up” (Roth 313). Tobias is the first person to acknowledge Tris’s courage and Tris soon learns that despite being small, she is tough and brave. Both Jane and Tris build romantic relationships that are grown from trust and respect that ultimately help them build their own self-respect. Jane has an empowering relationship with Rochester; similarly, Tris is also in a relationship that is based on equality, in which Tris and Tobias inspire and strengthen one another.
Do you see the similarities between these characters? Are they the same character, different time periods?
Works Cited
Brontë Charlotte. Jane Eyre. 1st ed., Apebook, 2016.
Roth, Veronica. Divergent. 1st ed., HarperCollins, 2011.
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