One of the things my group discussed when we were talking about our motif of windows, doors, and curtains, is that those things could be a metaphor for Jane's feelings of separation from the world. We guessed that was because she feels insecure. The question to follow, then, would be what those insecurities are any why she has them.
Jane's biggest insecurity seems to be her social status. She is always feeling as though she is in a lower class than those surrounding her. This is what keeps her hiding behind the curtain from Mr. Rochester's friends, and what keeps her from allowing him to see her as an equal. My guess is that this insecurity comes from the constant drilling from Aunt Reed of how Jane was not on the same level as her children. She was a charity case and should not forget it. That incessant repetition is keeping her from doing just that--forgetting.
Jane also seems to be insecure about the way she looks. She talks all the time about how plain she is. She knows she's not beautiful, and most of the time pretends that it's ok. However, when Bessie comes to visit her and tells her how she's not too pretty, she takes offense and shows us that she really does care. Jane feels throughout the book that she is lacking in physical attributes; this hinders her from haveing confidence in herself. It's not the only thing to do that, but it's one thing.
My question for you all is: what else do you think Jane feels insecure about, and why?
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