Charlotte Bronte and the ‘Poor Girl’.

Explores author Charlotte Bronte’s use of her novel Jane Eyre to critique the treatment of poor girls and orphans in the society of her time.

In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte uses the character of Jane Eyre to critique the treatment of poor girls and orphans. Indeed, Jane refuses to be placed in the traditional female position of subservience. She stands up to superiors, as well as for her rights and defends the plight of all poor girls for doing so. In this way, her representation is a strong social statement against rich peoples’ abuse of young poor girls.