'Jane Eyre is a radical novel that critiques the institutions of Victorian society such as religion and marriage'. Discuss.

The novel of Jane Eyre did cause controversy at the time of its release. Whilst some considered it to be modern and progressive, a more general critique was that the novel was radical, trampling on the institutions that Victorian society revered. The rebellious spirit that flows through the novel is generally from Bronte's heroine herself, Jane Eyre, who's stubborn and strong-willed character is often used to expose the flaws of class, religion and marriage. The protagonist's relationships with other characters allows Bronte to interact with such institutions in a critical way, such as Jane's experience with the hypocritical Mr. Brocklehurst who neglects his pupils in the guise of religious discipline. Ultimately, Jane Eyre was a reformist novel that refused to worship Victorian ideals.Admittedly, it is a plausible interpretation that Jane Eyre does conform to Victorian values in that Jane is only able to marry once she is independently wealthy, preventing the scandal of inter-class marriage, and often accepts subordination to Rochester as her master. However, this is only a surface level interpretation. Upon closer inspection it can be interpreted that Jane's independent wealth allows her to marry to Rochester as his superior. Blind and maimed, Rochester is now inferior to Jane, a feminist ideal that undercuts the Victorian ideal of female inferiority, especially in marriage.