Throughout Jane Eyre, we see the common theme of social class. It's everywhere! We see Jane's side, being the poor orphan who has no social status and then we also see the other side with the people she lives with. Bronte did a good job of portraying what it was like living in the Victorian times. Since Jane was sent to Lowood as a child she learned her manners, education, and discipline -all things the typical aristocrat were expected to know. But being a governess, she was still considered to be part of the servant or lower class. Back then, social class pretty much determined everything. With the position Jane was in, she didn't really have any power anywhere she went. Her understanding of this double standard became evident when she started having feelings for Rochester because they were obviously from two seperate classes. While she contains the knowledge and the manners to match Rochester, they are not socially equal.
An example from the book where Jane speaks out about social prejudice was in chapter 23 when she said to Rochester, "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I have as much soul as you—and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you."
Social class had such a major impact on the lives of people living in the Victorian era. It played a part in pretty much everything. Today, its not as important to us. Sure, it plays its part in some situations, but it doesn't have quite the same impact on us.
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