Jane Eyre
The relationship between character and atmosphere is one of the principal concerns in Jane Eyre. This is developed with reference to Jane’s movement from place to place. The movement from one place to another can be called the movement in atmosphere in the novel. Corresponding to the movement in atmosphere, there is a movement in character. Location changes correspond to similar changes in the nature of Jane’s experience. Each location represents a stage both physical and experiential. The significance of the five locations (Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Moor House and Ferndean) lies in the fact that each house is a metaphor for each of the stages through which Jane has pass on her journey to self-discovery. For the most part, the mood of the novel is sad and depressing. Jane needs to rise above one hardship after another. Since the novel is related in the first person, everything is colored by Jane’s gloomy point of view. Early in the novel, Jane shows certain spunk, and the mood brightens accordingly. As the novel progresses and the hardships increase, the mood sometimes darkens to somberness and despair. Throughout the novel Jane gradually acquires mature confidence. At the end, Jane is triumphant in her quest for love
Jane Eyre has been called a new type of Gothic romance on account of Charlotte Brontë’s use of poetic symbolism in the novel. The chestnut tree splitting into two serves as a symbol for the separation of Jane and Mr. Rochester. Bertha’s tearing of the wedding veil symbolizes Mr. Rochester’s betrayal of his real wife and Jane, his betrothed. In this way Charlotte Brontë contributed a new dimension to the Gothic novel. She managed to make the patently Gothic more than just a stereotype. In her stay at Lowood, her capacity for endurance is tested to a great extent. Her good friend Helen Burns offers her advice on how she can evade pain. According to her, Jane is too emotional and should resist the impulse to react in the face of injustice. However, as the novel progresses, the reader finds that Jane’s emotions and intuition often guide her to make the right decisions. Besides, Jane is definitely not a person who can settle for a life of staunch piety, such as the one St. John offers her. Therefore, although she admires Helen Burns, she cannot adopt her attitude. are passionate, Jane, that you must allow,” Mrs. Reed points out. Another feature of the Gothic novel is the use of the supernatural. There are no ghosts in Jane Eyre, but every phase of Jane’s life is preceded by her imagining a supernatural visitation from another world. And Mr. Rochester’s seemingly telepathic communication to Jane towards the end of the novel is in fact a supernatural phenomenon fully exploited for the purpose of fiction. Jane’s resolution, firmness and tenacity are seen in the way she tries to overcome the oppression which she has to face throughout her life. She is oppressed first by Mrs. Sarah Reed and her son at Gateshead. Their influence follows her at school, where Mr. Brocklehurst makes a vicious and false report about her in front of everyone. Initially, although she is attracted to her master, Mr. Rochester, Jane does not admit her feelings even to herself. Gradually, then, the reader witnesses these two characters coming closer and confronting each other on various issues. Each gets the chance to examine the other’s tastes, values and attitude to life. However, there are times when Jane is not entirely confident about Mr. Rochester’s feelings for her. This insecurity is enhanced in the isolation she faces when Blanche Ingram tries to win Rochester over. Eventually Mr. Rochester propos
Some topics in this essay:
Jane Eyre,
St John,
Helen Burns,
House Ferndean,
Eventually Rochester,
Edward Rochester,
Rochester Jane,
Miss Eyre,
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Brontë Jane,
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helen burns,
st john,
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Approximate Word count = 1634
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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