Red flags ahead of their time

Harper's Bazaar India recommends '8 classic novels by women that were ahead of their time' including

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847) 

Another academically celebrated novel, Jane Eyre is often credited among the foremost feminist novels. It is a powerful yet intimate story about a young orphan, Jane, who becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall and falls for the mysterious Mr Rochester. But when a hidden truth comes to light, Jane is forced to make choices that test her values and independence. With its quietly rebellious heroine, emotional depth, and bold social critique, Jane Eyre challenged the rigid rules of Victorian society and remains a groundbreaking literary work even today. (Schenelle Dsouza)

On the other hand, Women.com lists '5 Famous Book Couples That Are Full Of Red Flags'. Yes, let's judge old books by current standards.

Jane Eyre & Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre)

Besides the fact that Mr. Rochester literally locks his first wife in the attic and then lies about it — for years! — there's a lot to be concerned about when it comes to Jane's relationship with her much older employer. While they might be peak Gothic romance, there are massive power inequities between Mr. Rochester and Jane. He's roughly 20 years older than her, wealthier, and her boss — all differences that make for an unstable relationship foundation. 

The problems with such inequities become obvious when their marriage is thwarted at the altar and Jane has to flee, losing not only her intended but also her income and home. It's telling that this couple can't actually reconcile until a fire in Mr. Rochester's home blinds him and Jane inherits her own wealth, placing the lovers on more equal footing.

But besides the foundational problems in their love affair, Mr. Rochester also tends to manipulate and gaslight Jane. Whether he's tormenting her by posing as a fortune teller or lying about his first marriage, he's not kind to Jane. And kindness is incredibly important for love. "Couples feel safe and secure when kindness is the norm of their interaction," writes couples counselor Lisa Rabinowitz on Counselor for Couples. In other words, Jane should probably swipe left until she finds someone a bit nicer. (Rose McMackin)

Funny that Cathy and Heathcliff have no red flags.