In the 1847 Bildungsroman Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the eponymous character’s distressing experiences are presented through physically and emotionally scarring events, ultimately shaping her up to represent a proto-feminist icon formed by Bronte to present an opposition to typical Victorian societal norms. Distressing experiences are initially presented through the setting of Gateshead, in which Jane Eyre endures physical and psychological abuse which contributes to forming her independence and presenting her as a pre-feminist role model. In Chapter 1, Jane Eyre experiences a physical attack from her cousin John Reed, lashing out in a furious outburst: “You are like a murderer; you are like a slave driver; you are like the Roman emperors!” The anaphoric asyndeton here portrays Jane’s anger through the quick and snappy pace. This also links to the recurring motif of fire throughout the book, which could be symbolic of Jane’s progression throughout the book and the difficult experiences which shape her. John Reed conveys a distressing domestic environment for Jane here through continued psychological and physical abuse; Victorian and modern readers alike would likely be shocked by the reality of patriarchy in the 1800s, and I believe that was Bronte’s aim to raise awareness of the conditions women were kept under and therefore present Jane Eyre as a proto-feminist icon due to her firm stance in self-worth and justice. Jane Eyre is further subject to distress and despair at Thornfield through her cruel aunt. The anaphoric rhetorical questions “How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth!” presents Jane Eyre furthermore as a pre-feminist, even at ten years old as she stands up for herself. I believe that Bronte intended to lead the audience to empathise with Jane here, even though the conditions for her, had it been real-world Victorian Britain, would have been very similar; Bronte raising awareness and arguably a negative disposition towards patriarchy through the reality of such portrayed in such a young child. Jane is further subject to psychological abuse in Chapter 7, when she attends Lowood School for Orphans. She is made to stand on a stool and subject to the headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst’s cruel words as he tells the rest of her classmates to “punish her body so her soul may be saved”. The antithesis between Jane’s soul and body emphasises a key theme in the play: religion, and how it was carried out in Victorian times for good, yet alternatively, in this case, for negative morals which were perceived as honouring Christianity, however would be viewed by the modern audience as opposing the set values of Christianity and Catholicism. A final distressing experience is presented in Lowood through Jane’s mentor, Helen’s death. “Are you warm, dear?” The use of endearing direct address here presents Helen as a motherly figure which Jane never had, therefore losing her to tuberculosis would’ve been extremely difficult as Jane was arguably left on her own, without a significant mental connection to anyone comparable to what she had with Helen. The third main setting in the book, Thornfield, also presents distressing experiences to Jane through themes of the supernatural and romantic love. In Chapter 18, Jane’s frustration at Blanche Ingram embodying all typical feminine traits and therefore complying with patriarchy is presented through the quote “She was too inferior to excite the feeling.” The use of lexical condescension here contrasts typical social class norms, as Jane esteems herself higher than Blanche off of the basis of independence and Blanche’s worthiness of Rochester, which she obviously believes as second to none. This presents a difficult experience here as Jane has obviously formed a connection with Rochester at this point, and seeing them play charades as a married couple, though foreshadowing Jane and Rochester’s eventual peace, torments her emotionally. A second distressing experience at Thornfield is embodied in Chapter 20, through Richard Mason’s stabbing. “My pulse stooped: my heart stood still; my stretched arm was paralysed.” utilises an anaphoric asyndeton to present Jane’s immense fear from the pained yells she hears from Richard Mason. This chapter presents a key theme in the play: the supernatural. The supernatural is presented in Thornfield through the mysterious character of Bertha, Richard’s sister and Rochester’s mentally insane wife. The semantic field of body parts in this quote also stands as ominous; emphasising the Gothic nature of the Bildungsroman even more and presenting this as a physically and mentally distressing event for Jane. Finally, Jane’s distressing experiences are presented when leaving Thornfield. In the extract: “…but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable.”, Jane’s juxtaposing love to her decision is presented through the asyndetic adverbs, presenting a moral conflict within Jane as she defies patriarchy and societal norms, confirming herself as an independent woman. This would obviously pain her, as she is voluntarily leading the man she loves, yet Bronte presents the titular hero as such a bold and independent woman with a highly developed moral compass, perhaps setting the way for modern feminists and the ideas which accompany them. Furthermore, her distress in leaving Rochester is emphasised in Chapter 28 when she turns up at the door of St. John Rivers after a treacherous journey, leaving her luggage on the coach in a stressed effort to get as far from Thornfield as possible. The quotation “This was the climax. A pang of exquisite suffering—a throe of true despair…not another step could I stir.” presents this moment as a climax of her feelings; ultimate distress in the face of moral adversary. Overall, distressing experiences are presented throughout Jane Eyre with intense physical and psychological effects, shaping the woman she becomes when she alerts the reader of her marriage to Rochester in Chapter 38, in the iconic quote “Reader, I married him.” This is therefore my proved thesis.