A Comparison of Jane Eyre and the Harry Potter Books as Novels of Development

Abstract: Although written during different centuries, both Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter books follow the protagonist’s journeys from childhood to adulthood, which is why they are both often described as novels of development. This essay therefore aims to compare the protagonists’ development, looking at the differences and similarities which can be found when analysing them according to the pattern of the Bildungsroman. While analysing this in relation to their relationships and to their own identities it can be seen how these protagonists show similarities since they search for similar concepts: self-discovery and the establishing of a family. However, there are also differences in how they develop since they have different needs due to how society shapes them, Jane has a need to find independence, whereas a major part of Harry’s identity is to defeat evil in the form of Voldemort.