Representation of Childhood Trauma and the Formation of Identity in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre: A Trauma-Theoretical Study

Romaan Abdul Aleem Siddiqui

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80439

Representation of Childhood Trauma and the Formation of Identity in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre: A Trauma-Theoretical Study

Author(s)	Dr. Romaan Abdul Aleem Siddiqui
Country	India
Abstract	Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is one of the most influential novels of the Victorian period, widely admired for its exploration of identity, morality, gender, and individual freedom. Among its major themes, childhood trauma plays a central role in shaping Jane’s psychological development and formation of self. This paper examines the forms of trauma experienced by Jane Eyre during her childhood and analyzes their impact on her emotional life, relationships, and identity formation. Drawing on trauma studies and psychological literary criticism, it argues that abuse, neglect, humiliation, and social exclusion function as key forces shaping Jane’s character. The novel presents childhood trauma through Jane’s experiences at Gateshead Hall and Lowood School. At Gateshead, Jane suffers emotional neglect and mistreatment from Mrs. Reed and her cousins, which creates feelings of alienation and inferiority. The Red Room episode further intensifies her psychological distress, symbolizing fear, isolation, and emotional confinement. These early experiences shape her understanding of herself and her place in society. At Lowood School, institutional neglect, harsh discipline, and loss deepen Jane’s suffering. The death of Helen Burns exposes her to grief, but also introduces moral endurance and resilience. Although these experiences are painful, they contribute to Jane’s emotional strength and self-discipline. This paper argues that childhood trauma plays a crucial role in forming Jane’s identity and guiding her adult decisions. Her strong sense of self-respect and independence emerges as a response to early oppression. Even in her relationship with Rochester, her insistence on equality reflects her traumatic past. Ultimately, Jane Eyre presents childhood trauma as both destructive and transformative, showing how suffering shapes resilience, identity, and self-realization.
Keywords	Childhood Trauma, Identity Formation, Psychological Development, Resilience, Emotional Neglect, Social Exclusion, Trauma Studies, Victorian Literature, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-04
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80439

View / Download PDF File

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Representation of Childhood Trauma and the Formation of Identity in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre: A Trauma-Theoretical Study

Share this