It represented both literally and figuratively their ability to free themselves from the home and take up new roles in society, but most importantly the bicycle was the catalyst of change in women’s clothes. Function overpowered fashion, and what followed was a paradigm shift in women's clothing.

 Jane is not like other women, she is the “swallow” while every other female character is described as a “flower” which Mr. Rochester uses to disguise the “Secrets of the House” from himself and others, Jane describes her wish for freedom in “Sweet Liberty” and her determination to be equal with men. Values which clearly reflect those of the women who split their skirts and mounted bicycles in 1896.