Both Jane Eyre and Lorde’s Transformation of Silence into Language and Action deal with overcoming misfortune as well as their own personal hurdles. I think these two text come from two very relatable points of views. Lorde being a black female poet has most likely experiences the ostracization that Jane felt. In both reading the subject of text is able to take back their life with both a solid foundation. (i.e. a community of support and a bit more self confidence) The most important part about finding the friends and family that supported these women, was that those relationships developed because of their introspection and the strength in character that materialized from it. There are actually quotes from both texts that portray this personal development in the women.
In Jane Eyre Brontë writes, ““I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” In this response to Rochester’s plea to have her as a mistress Jane refuses to undermine her self worth and choses to be in control of her life as an independent. (In my opinion this makes their marriage after their reunion far more meaningful than any relationship they would have had before she left.)
The quote that stood out from Transformation of Silence into Language was, “My silences have not protected me… But for every real word spoken, for every attempt I had ever made to speak those truths for which I am still seeking I had made contact with other women while we examined the words to fit a world in which we all believed, bridging our differences.” Here Lorde finds a community of peers who understand her burdens while raising her warrior spirit.
The passage from Jane Eyre discusses a woman leaving the person she finds comfort. The quote quote from Lorde’s work discusses a woman finding her comfort in a new community of likeminded people she relates to. Despite these differences the two moments share the aspect of self empowerment and the importance in how certain decisions, such as how to look at your life and where you want it to go, are forks in the road where you can choose to change your life.
Though both stories are not the exact same, one thing that excited me was how both women became advocates for those whose lives are comparable. In Lorde’s case she advocated for women in the same demographic, and in Jane’s case a she interceded in Adele’s schooling problems which brought up a comparison to Jane’s horrible educational experience.