Similar to many of the great feminist novels of its time, Jane Eyre emerges simply as a story about the search for love. The novel's protagonist, Jane, seeks not only the romantic side of love, but ultimately a sense of self-worth and independence. Set in the overlapping times of the Victorian and Gothic periods, the novel touches on both the supposed rights of women and their internal struggle for freedom. Orphaned at an early age, Jane was born into a modest lifestyle, with no major parental role to guide her through life's obstacles. Instead, she spent much of her adolescence locked in imaginary chains, serving those around her but never enjoying the many decadences that life has to offer. It is only when Jane becomes a governess that many small privileges become available to her and offer Jane a glimpse into what life could have been. It is in her search for redemption and discovery that she is truly liberated. Throughout Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, Jane Eyre, the story's protagonist, Jane, struggles to achieve balance between autonomy and love, without sacrificing herself in the process. Although written during both the Victorian and Gothic periods, Jane Eyre draws on many revolutionary influences which ultimately allowed it to become one of the most successful books of all time. Jane Eyre is simply a hybrid between a Victorian and Gothic novel, infusing a share of dark allusions with excessive romanticism. The primitive cultures of the Victorian period reflect high ethical standards, an extreme respect for family life, and devotional qualities towards God, all of which the novel portrays. However, labeling Jane Eyre simply as a Victorian novel would be misleading. While the characteristics of a Gothic no......middle of paper......ival depend on this. Jane often finds, “Human beings must love something” (Bronte 36). Bronte makes it clear that Jane above all has this irresistible factor within her that needs to be loved. Moseley goes on to say, “Freedom and love are somewhat at war in the lives of all of us.” It is only when Jane achieves personal liberation that she is capable of loving someone else to the fullest extent. Over the course of Jane Eyre Jane must learn to win love without sacrificing herself in the process. Orphaned at an early age, Jane becomes accustomed to a lackluster lifestyle without any real value. It is only when he finds love and comfort in his friends at Lowood that his life begins to change. After meeting Rochester, Jane's life was as simple as she made it. He melts into a worldwide love story, ultimately finding the love he longed for without losing his personal worth.