Explore how Brontë presents Jane’s strong personality in the novel "Jane Eyre".

The strength of Jane Eyre's personality can be seen in a number of instances in the novel. I will focus on two - one in her childhood, where she defends herself against her cousin, and another when she tells Mrs. Reed how much she has been hurt by her treatment at Gateshead. Jane is presented often as being mentally strong, as opposed to physically. We see this in the first instance I mentioned, where, after John Reed (her cousin) throws a book at her, she reacts immediately with anger, calling him "a slave-driver" and likening him to a Roman emperor. By showing us this, Bronte is demonstrating Jane's mental strength. I believe we are likely meant to view these words in contrast to John Reed's actions - where he uses brute physical strength, Jane is able to use her intellect. Unlike John, she does not need to stoop to the level of physical violence in order to be understood, or to defend herself. The second instance in the novel that is of note regarding the presentation of Jane's personality is in chapter four, where Jane has come to say goodbye to Mrs. Reed as she leaves Gateshead. Mrs. Reed, prior to this, has called her deceitful and suggested that she lied to Mr. Brocklehurst. Jane is hurt by this, and proclaims to Mrs. Reed that "people think you are a good woman, but you are bad, hard-hearted. You are deceitful!" Once again, we see Jane able to defend herself verbally without resorting to violence. In this case in particular, Jane is defending herself against someone much older, with much more power. Yet she doesn't waver, nor does she allow herself to be silenced. This shows a tremendous strength of character.