Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Summary: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte tells the story of a young girl born into unfortunate circumstances blossoming into a hard-working, intelligent woman. The novel starts off in Jane’s childhood. She was an orphan, forced to live with her abusive aunt and cousins who take pleasure in making Jane suffer. However, she did not stay a victim to her circumstances for long and when she was ten years old she stood up for herself, causing her to be sent to a boarding school known as Lowood. Despite the poor living conditions of her new home, Jane manages to make the best of her situation and learns everything that was expected of a well cultured lady at that time. She remains at Lowood until she is 18, when she then agrees to become a governess and tutor a little girl at an estate named Thornfeild. Upon her arrival, she meets the owner of the house and guardian of the girl she was hired to look after, Mr. Rochester. The pair immediately becomes attracted to one another, primarily taking an interest in the differences they see between themselves and the rest of society. Jane further proves herself to Rochester when she reacts quickly to a fire inside the estate, saving the life of Mr. Rochester himself. Despite the hints of romance between Rochester and Jane, he invites over several house guests to stay at Thrornfeild, including the lovely Blanche Ingram whom he enjoys openly flirting with. Around this time, Jane receives word that her Aunt has fallen ill and Jane goes to take care of her and attempt to forget the troubled past between them. During her trip, she begins to realize how much she misses and cares about Mr. Rochester and returns to Thornfeild. Rochester then proposes to Jane, and a happy ending seems to be just around the corner for the pair. However, at the wedding, the shocking news that Rochester is already married comes to light. Trying to explain himself, he reveals that the women he married has become severely mentally ill and is confined to live in his house with no contact with the outside world besides her nurse. Despite his claims that he is not in a real marriage, Jane refuses to listen and resolves completely rid him from her life. She then aimlessly flees from the estate, putting no planning or forethought into her future. This causes Jane to nearly starve to death, until she finds refuge with her cousin, St. John. The clergyman has romantic feelings for Jane, and asks her numerous times to marry him and go on mission trips to India. Jane however declines the offer of marriage but finds the idea of missions work exciting and says she will accompany him merely as a friend and cousin. However before any plans are made, Rochester appears to Jane causing her to have an uncontrollable desire to find him. Jane goes back to Thornfeild and discovers that a tragic house fire resulted in the death of Rochester’s wife but leaving him physically disfigured. His new marital status makes Jane want to marry him again, and the book ends with the pair happily married.
Analysis of Major Characters:
Jane Eyre - Throughout the novel, Jane Eyre demonstrates her most notable quality, inner-strength. This character attribute is most easily seen in Jane’s actions. Her inner-strength provided her with the ability to stand up for
herself at the young age of ten, knowing that she was standing completely alone. It also gave her the courage to leave the man she loved because he violated her morals. Jane does what she thinks is right no matter the situation, and her definite views on right and wrong make her one of the most powerful female characters in literature. However, her unique worldview makes it hard for Jane to make friends, and people seemingly dislike her. Her strong personality is so apparent that Rochester frequently compares her to mythical creature, implying
that she truly is different from everyone else she is surrounded by. Jane also has an intense craving for a home like environment. Her attraction to Rochester can likely be attributed to the fact that he provided her with her first ever home-like experience. Jane’s strength, intellect, and integrity guide her life.
Setting: Jane Eyre takes place in rural England during the 19th century. Similar to other settings in her novels, Charlotte Bronte sets most of the story in houses that have been given specific names. The different houses in Jane Eyre stand to represent the different stages of Jane’s life. Her first home, Gateshead, represents Jane’s childhood, and most importantly her entrance into the world of adulthood. The education facility she lived in next, Lowood, represents the time in Jane’s life in which she was a student and shaping her own future. The third house, Thornsfeild, represents her first and ultimately last home. Another important thing to consider about
the setting is the gender roles that were accepted at that time. Men were considered both physically and mentally superior to women in every way. Those gender roles were what made the love between Jane and Rochester so captivating, because they were equal.
Types of Conflicts: The major conflict seen in Jane Eyre is Man vs. Society. Jane battles all odds to become the women she is; fighting against numerous circumstances out of her control in order to live a happy life, such as being an orphan. Also man vs. man conflict is seen between Jane and Rochester in Rochester’s struggle to convince
Major Themes:
Morality - Within the novel, Jane Eyre is a moral character and uses her senses of right and wrong to assist her in her decision making. She follows her beliefs in a strict way and it comes across as didactic. Passion and emotion seems to interfere with morality throughout the novel.
Marriage - The establishment of marriage within the novel is based upon ability to get along with one another, passion, and similar morals. The book makes it evident that marrying outside of these boundaries may cause issues over time, particularly marrying outside of one's social class.
The role of women in society - During the Victorian Era, women were expected to maintain simple and genuine throughout their lives and carry out the roles that were expected of them, including being wives and mothers. With the novel came a new description of a woman- strong, independent, and radical.
Major Symbols:
The Red Room - The red room serves as a major obstacle for Jane Eyre. Though she is able to eventually literally escape from the confinment and obstruction, she remains finacially and socially trapped. She strives for freedom and independence but this is threatened by these obstructions. The red room also serves as a comparison for Jane as she uses the memories of it to compare to her current situation.
Fire - Symbolism of passion, desire and fury are seen in the fire
present in Jane Eyre. Also due to Jane Eyre’s warmth and intensity, fire
can be seen as a metaphor for her character. The symbolism of fire is also seen
in other characters, such as Rochester.
Food - Food can represent the separations of social classes within the novel, however, it also demonstrates hunger on a larger scale. It represents the character's yearning for desires much larger than food. Jane Eyre has an appetite for independence, freedom, social acceptance, and sexual fulfillment.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyoQjFGvLyw
Analysis of Major Characters:
Jane Eyre - Throughout the novel, Jane Eyre demonstrates her most notable quality, inner-strength. This character attribute is most easily seen in Jane’s actions. Her inner-strength provided her with the ability to stand up for
herself at the young age of ten, knowing that she was standing completely alone. It also gave her the courage to leave the man she loved because he violated her morals. Jane does what she thinks is right no matter the situation, and her definite views on right and wrong make her one of the most powerful female characters in literature. However, her unique worldview makes it hard for Jane to make friends, and people seemingly dislike her. Her strong personality is so apparent that Rochester frequently compares her to mythical creature, implying
that she truly is different from everyone else she is surrounded by. Jane also has an intense craving for a home like environment. Her attraction to Rochester can likely be attributed to the fact that he provided her with her first ever home-like experience. Jane’s strength, intellect, and integrity guide her life.
Setting: Jane Eyre takes place in rural England during the 19th century. Similar to other settings in her novels, Charlotte Bronte sets most of the story in houses that have been given specific names. The different houses in Jane Eyre stand to represent the different stages of Jane’s life. Her first home, Gateshead, represents Jane’s childhood, and most importantly her entrance into the world of adulthood. The education facility she lived in next, Lowood, represents the time in Jane’s life in which she was a student and shaping her own future. The third house, Thornsfeild, represents her first and ultimately last home. Another important thing to consider about
the setting is the gender roles that were accepted at that time. Men were considered both physically and mentally superior to women in every way. Those gender roles were what made the love between Jane and Rochester so captivating, because they were equal.
Types of Conflicts: The major conflict seen in Jane Eyre is Man vs. Society. Jane battles all odds to become the women she is; fighting against numerous circumstances out of her control in order to live a happy life, such as being an orphan. Also man vs. man conflict is seen between Jane and Rochester in Rochester’s struggle to convince
Major Themes:
Morality - Within the novel, Jane Eyre is a moral character and uses her senses of right and wrong to assist her in her decision making. She follows her beliefs in a strict way and it comes across as didactic. Passion and emotion seems to interfere with morality throughout the novel.
Marriage - The establishment of marriage within the novel is based upon ability to get along with one another, passion, and similar morals. The book makes it evident that marrying outside of these boundaries may cause issues over time, particularly marrying outside of one's social class.
The role of women in society - During the Victorian Era, women were expected to maintain simple and genuine throughout their lives and carry out the roles that were expected of them, including being wives and mothers. With the novel came a new description of a woman- strong, independent, and radical.
Major Symbols:
The Red Room - The red room serves as a major obstacle for Jane Eyre. Though she is able to eventually literally escape from the confinment and obstruction, she remains finacially and socially trapped. She strives for freedom and independence but this is threatened by these obstructions. The red room also serves as a comparison for Jane as she uses the memories of it to compare to her current situation.
Fire - Symbolism of passion, desire and fury are seen in the fire
present in Jane Eyre. Also due to Jane Eyre’s warmth and intensity, fire
can be seen as a metaphor for her character. The symbolism of fire is also seen
in other characters, such as Rochester.
Food - Food can represent the separations of social classes within the novel, however, it also demonstrates hunger on a larger scale. It represents the character's yearning for desires much larger than food. Jane Eyre has an appetite for independence, freedom, social acceptance, and sexual fulfillment.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyoQjFGvLyw
Citations:
"Eyre Apparent Figure 2." Eyre Apparent Figure 2. N.p., n.d. Web.
01 Apr. 2013.
< http://www.rarebookschool.org/2005/exhibitions/eyreapparent/brofig2.html>.
"Jane Eyre Themes." Study Guides & Essay Editing. N.p., n.d. Web. 02
Apr. 2013.
http://www.gradesaver.com/jane-eyre/study-guide/major-themes/.
"Jane Eyre." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Jan. 2013. Web.
02 Apr. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre.
"Jane Eyre." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/janeeyre/themes.html>.
"Eyre Apparent Figure 2." Eyre Apparent Figure 2. N.p., n.d. Web.
01 Apr. 2013.
< http://www.rarebookschool.org/2005/exhibitions/eyreapparent/brofig2.html>.
"Jane Eyre Themes." Study Guides & Essay Editing. N.p., n.d. Web. 02
Apr. 2013.
http://www.gradesaver.com/jane-eyre/study-guide/major-themes/.
"Jane Eyre." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Jan. 2013. Web.
02 Apr. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre.
"Jane Eyre." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/janeeyre/themes.html>.