A woman living in Victorian England had very limited options in her life. From birth she was given orders and told exactly what to do and when to do it. In Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, a young girl experiences numerous difficulties that act as stepping stones as she matures during this period; from exile and isolation from his family, to adapting to work and finally realizing his own self-worth. In the early chapters of the book, the quality of independence is evident in Jane's character. At Gateshead she finds herself sitting “cross-legged, like a Turk; and having almost closed the red noreen curtain, [she] was shut up in a double retreat” (Brontë 7). Jane decides for herself that trying to impress the Reed family is futile and that she finds comfort in distancing herself from them. Jane transcends her place in the family and knows she is the only person worthy of being liked. Jane knows she is ready to move on with her life and makes the decision to become a governess while telling herself "I want this because there is no use wishing for something better" (Bront...