Metacognition: Reading Jane Eyre

Nineteenth century social conventions amuse me, until I realize the cage they put you in.
The characters in Jane Eyre and the ideals they hold others to fascinated me throughout the book, and I personally found the detail with which Jane describes her thought processes more helpful than any history book could provide. I really love learning about the culture and societal norms during any one era, and this novel gave a likable heroine a chance to tell her tale and speak out against the ridiculous restrictions placed on women during her time.
At first, I was simply entertained by the strange (to me) laws that allowed one thing to be blatantly acknowledged while another unspeakable. I couldn't understand how people spoke of Jane's plainness as if it were a reassuring quality. I blew off the signs that Jane was sending about women's rights, taking for granted that jobs are open to me, that I can be an equal with men, that I can be respected for traits other than docile femininity. I just took it as part of the experience of the 19th century before I realized how much it bothered me.
I first became aware of how outrageous these social restrictions are when I noticed the obvious tension between Jane's self-respect and honor, and her desire to submit and do what her 'master' wants. Obviously in any relationship there is compromise, but Jane seemed honestly tormented, as if staying true to herself was a guilty pleasure she almost couldn't dare to do. True, her situation was an unusual case, what with social convention saying she couldn't commit adultery and social convention also saying being adamant and unrelenting was being 'ornery and unfeminine'. Regardless, it made it very clear to me what an impossible situation women were put in.
Next time I read a book and notice this topic, I'm going to try to be very attentive to it and focus on every aspect it affects. I think noticing the culture and how it impacts the characters and the plot would deepen my experience and make everything more connected and cohesive.