A key feature of the "classic Victorian realist novel" is the focus on realism. Realism deliberately rejects “conventionally attractive subjects… in favor of sincerity and a focus on the non-idealized treatment of contemporary life” (OED). Realism marks a shift towards a focus on the self as an individual, hence the in-depth portrayal of some characters in Jane Eyre (Brontë, 1847). An example of this is Jane's reflection on how her departure from Thornfield will affect Mr. Rochester. After considering how much she might suffer, she still resists the urge to enter Mr. Rochester's bedroom: "My hand went to the lock: I took it again and slipped past." This shows Jane as a complex character. Conflicting desires exist within her: she loves Mr. Rochester, but morally she is not determined to be his lover, and therefore she has decided to leave Thornfield. While deciding between love and morality is not an everyday occurrence, it is a moment that happens because of and in Jane's everyday life. As readers, we are able to empathize with Jane, as her conflicting impulses and motivations closely mirror the daily trials of being human. The realistic novel places more emphasis on its characters, rather than plot, and explores the relationships between these characters. The selected passage shows both the master-servant aspect of the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester, as well as its romantic nature. At the beginning of the selected passage, Jane affectionately describes Mr. Rochester as a "kind master," which is indicative of the fact that even after his proposal, she is unable to separate herself from her position as a servant. This is further emphasized when Jane states that he would "send for her in the morning", which... middle of paper... showed the true nature of reality. This gives the reader the feeling of being there in that moment. An early example of this in the selected passage is Jane's action of leaving Thornfield: “The dim dawn shone in the yard. The great doors were closed and bolted; but in one of them the hatch was only closed. Through that I left: I also closed it; and now I was out of Thornfield.” This detailed description shows Jane's dedication to her decision to leave Thornfield and allows the reader to feel as if they are with her in this moment. The sequence evokes strong images, with which the reader is probably familiar, such as the sight of sunrise. The locked gates suggest both a sense of isolation and security within Thornfield. Such a layering of small details and observations creates the sense of realism characteristic of classic Victorian realist literature.