We have seen Jane grow old from an eight year old girl to an eighteen year-old woman. In what ways have we seen the theme of maturity, especially the idea that forgiveness is a sign of maturity, exhibited in these 21 chapters???

Jane is an orphan who lived with her cruel aunt, Mrs Reed. Her aunt decides to send her to Lowood, a school for orphans.When Jane is at Lowood, she gets so angry when Miss Scatcherd yells at her friend, Helen. She says to Helen,“If I were in your place I should dislike her: I should resist her; if she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose” (Bronte 66). In this quotation, Jane is showing her naivety by telling Helen to fight back. She believed that to conquer an enemy, one must fight back. This demonstrates the immaturity and restlessness that are already evident in Jane at a young age. Here, Helen tells Jane that fighting back is not always a good option. She tells Jane that she should love everyone, even the people whom she hates and who has done wrong to her. At this time, Jane is not as mature as Helen therefore, she doesn't understand what Helen is talking about.  

At school, after having been accused of being a liar, Jane starts maturing. As she becomes an adult, Jane wants to be independent. So, she decides to get out of Lowood and earn money for herself. Another sign of maturity is shown when Jane falls in love with Mr. Rochester. When a person forgives someone, it shows that he or she has really matured. Even though years ago Jane, as a child, vowed to never associate with Gateshead household or its inhabitant, when Jane is called by Bessie to come to Gateshead and see her aunt, Jane agrees. Later, when Jane sees her sick aunt, she says, “Love me, then, or hate me, as you will, you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God’s; and be at peace” ( Bronte 269). Jane forgets all the enmity she had for her aunt and forgives her.This quote contrasts greatly with the previous quote because in this quote, Jane talks about forgiving and asking for forgiveness from God rather than fighting back or being mad. These quotes shows how much Jane has changed and become mature.