Governesses in Victorian times fulfilled a crucial role that came out of a need for a cheap, albeit formal system of education. Many families could not afford to send their daughters away to school, and so the occupation arose as an alternative. This is stated in more specific terms in the article, “Hints on the Modern Governess System”, where it’s written, “The policy of the world is to take advantage of want. It became apparent that a whole family of daughters might be taught by one of these single women, struggling for bread, for less than it formerly cost to send one girl to school. Where competition was so great, there was no difficulty in driving a bargain” (567). This bargain, while on one hand allowing more young women to improve themselves through the teaching of governesses, also resulted in a lowering of salary for many of these teachers. The article refers to this in very economic terms that almost serve to disconnect the reader from the idea that the governesses were often paid next to nothing for their services. In connection with this, the article continues by deploring the treatment of governesses. In their positions, governesses were often treated as subservient to everyone in the house hold and they were seen as living a distinctly solitary life. Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre sheds some light on this matter, and the eponymous Jane is able to exemplify the role of governess while also transcending some of the boundaries that these women faced.

After serving at Lowood for eight years, Jane, who feels stuck at the school, finally wants to leave. However, because she is an orphan and has no friends or relations outside of the school, finds this rather difficult. Instead of asking for outside help, she creates an advertisement for her services as a governess and is quickly offered a position. This new occupation pays twice as well as her teaching job at Lowton and she is able to attain at least a little bit of the freedom she had desired. However she soon grows restless in her new position. The house where she serves, Thornfield, is a much quieter place than she had expected. Jane says, “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot” (Bronte 178). Speaking as Jane, Bronte gives a voice to all of the governesses who became stuck in their positions.  At this point Jane has left one unfulfilling situation only to find another. Fortunately for her however, everything changes when Mr. Rochester arrives. Unlike the governesses in “Hints on the Modern Governess System” who are often treated as subservient beings, Jane becomes an object of attention for Mr. Rochester and he begins to treat her with more respect and interest than anyone else in the house. This turn in Jane’s life is a display of Bronte’s knowledge of the governess life. Jane feels the weight of the problems expressed in “Hints on the Modern Governess System” but she is able to avoid the full brunt of their effects, and therefore we see her role as a governess as a largely positive one. Through this, Bronte is able to both reveal issues within the governess system and applaud it for its positive facets.

Works Cited

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview, 1999. Print.

“Hints on the Modern Governess System.” Fraser’s Magazine. November 1844: 567-577. Print