Audre Lorde, writes of the importance of speaking up and not being silent to any aspect of a person’s life, especially women. Black women and the “submissive women” known in the Victorian era. These two women have many things in common, primarily oppression. Jane Eyre was forced into oppression and separation as a child. Jane understood the importance of her silence in society. Jane was constantly in fear; the red room, aunts and cousins that was abusive And living in an all girls school defined her dehumanization and torment.

Lorde’s silence was abusive to her, living with thoughts that want to reveal itself is very oppressive. We are too safe with the right of “ free speech”, it’s essential to speak up and face the power of conversation and debate. Lord states that knowledge is power, learning our own fears will create liberation and freedom within ourselves for security. The understanding of growth through life is connected to our childhood and experiences.

The separation from Helen and Mr. Reed was crucial losses for Jane to experience at such a young age. Jane also lived in poverty during her stay at the institution for young girls, she also developed a pattern of creating a cover for her emotions and bottled up thoughts to escape destruction. However, Lorde faces the challenge of being herself while using her voice to filter her feelings for self-revelation. As a child to experience no concern from family and to be abused physically and mentally created a blueprint for her adulthood. The fear is what we hold on to and the feelings oppress us as individuals to the extension of our character. In comparison to Jane, we create the comfort without speech to live on.

Melissa Derrick