Throughout the story we realize that Jane Eyre is very much the story of a quest to be loved. This not only applies to romantic love, but also in a sense of being respected of belonging. We perceive incidents throughout the novel where Jane longs for love. However Jane's search for love sometimes ends up challenging autonomy. When Jane is at Lowood she says to Helen:" to gain some real affection from you, or miss temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my broken arm, or let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking ore, and let it dash it's hoof at my chest" (chapter 8). As the book progresses, Jane must learn how to gain love without sacrificing and harming herself in the process.

Jane Eyre falls in love with and plans to marry Edward...