Independence and Love in Jane Eyre by Charlotte BronteIn Jane Eyre, Jane seeks a way to express herself as an independent person who doesn't need anyone's help, but also wants make him have the love and company of others. Often Jane finds that she can have independence but no one to share her life with, or that she can have the love of another at the expense of her independence. Jane's entire journey is based on the goal of achieving a perfect blend of independence and love, a blend that rarely seems to go hand in hand. The story begins with a young Jane Eyre who is essentially neither loved by anyone nor independent by nature. At this point in the story, the reader discovers that Jane is an orphan and is supported by the Reed family. This discovery is made through the portrayal of John Reed as he teases Jane about her social status. John states that since it is his family who supports Jane, it is their choice that dictates the circumstances in which she lives. In this case, Jane is not allowed to play with the younger Reed children or read a book that belongs to the Reeds. The fact that Jane is an orphan living under someone else's roof shows that she has not yet gained her independence.