Throughout the novel Jane endures many different emotions but one constant is her passion of anger. She expresses it through rage in the first and second chapters, “I resisted all the way: a new thing for me”, but quickly learns it only worsens her situation. After the 10 year old has learnt the hard way she realises she needs to restrain her emotions although she never accepts her substandard position to others. Her passion is still there only expressed by the author rather than Jane, through symbolism. Charlotte Bronte uses symbolism in this novel but a main theme throughout is Jane passion of anger portrayed as red. At one of Jane’s most passionate times in the book she is locked in the red room, a mysterious “chamber” where Mr Reed “breathed his last”. The room itself is a reflection of Jane’s “deep surrounding” frustration with her helplessness in Gateshead Hall and in society. The fact that she is locked in the room as well symbolizes her feeling of enclosure in her position, that she is trapped as a woman with limits and restrictions and there is nothing she can do to change it.
There is also much other symbolism, for example Jane often retreats to escapism, but through out her years in different ways, they also often symbolize her feelings at the time. In the first chapter Jane finds refuge in reading “Berwick’s History of British Birds”, which has much about remote places like, “the bleak shores of Lapland, Siberia, Spitzbergen” etc, Jane goes on to read about “those forlorn regions of dreary space-that reservoir of frost and snow”. This is symbolic of how isolated, cold, forlorn and lost Jane feels. It is also another use of pathetic fallacy setting the scene for what was to come in later chapters, like Jane being locked in the red room. In fact the weather in general is a constant source of pathetic fallacy and reflection upon the mood that is to come next in the chapters. At the beginning of chapter seven Jane pursues to tell the reader about the “severe cold” she and the girls at Lowood had to endure and that their “clothing was insufficient to protect” them, this is a reflection of the poor treatment the girls suffered at Lowood, inadequate foods and later as a result of this “semi-starvation and neglected colds had predisposed most of the pupils to receive infection”. Another future insight is the pathetic fallacy used at the beginning of chapter 23: “It was as if a band of Italian days had come from the south, like a flock of glorious passenger birds, and lighted to rest them on the cliffs of Albion”, this is most certainly a reflection of the chapter to come as Mr Rochester claims his love for Jane, and for Jane this has only been a dream, a foreign place she only can go in her mind. The flock of birds, lighted to rest is symbolism of Jane and all the different personna there has been throughout the book, all coming to rest as Mr Rochester offers Jane this life security. Later on in this chapter just after Jane agrees to marry him, “the rain rushed down” this almost acts like a warning to Jane and again an insight into the future as Mr Rochester is deceiving her into a false marriage as is later portrayed in the book.
Bronte also uses major symbolic references at the end of this chapter when “the great horse-chestnut at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by lightning”, this great horse-chestnut tree represents Mr Rochester and for a long time he had been deceiving allot of people for being a bachelor, single, and after the night of his proposal to Jane it is to be destined that his secret marriage would be exposed and it will be clear that he already has a second half. Notice that “half of it split away”, this could be a resemblance of Bertha Rochester and her later death.
At Gateshead the servants treated Jane “less than a servant” and referred to her as a nuisance. When cut off from the rest of the Reed family Jane is given tasks and chores to do and nagged over them, “No, Bessie; I have only just finished dusting.” But although Jane is cut off from the rest of the family she is more content this way “I was not miserable”, Jane feels more comfortable with Bessie as she would much rather pass an evening with her than “under the formidable eye of Mrs Reed”. Also Bessie has been the only soul to ever show slightly maternal affectionate towards Jane, she has advised her: “what we tell you is for your good”, and has sung to Jane before so sweetly it has caused Jane to cry, “Miss Jane, don’t cry”. After Mrs Reed dismissing Jane out of her sight for months, pressure is put on Bessie to raise Jane but though this brings them closer consequently as Jane matures she feels she can relate to Bessie and appreciates her friendship.
A noticeable difference in the first chapters of Jane Eyre is Bronte’s use of language for different characters. For example Bronte uses standard formal English and complex sentences for the Reed family, “I declare she talked to me once like something mad, or like a fiend – no child ever spoke or looked as she did; I was glad to get her away from the house.” In contrast to this the servants of Gateshead Hall use slang and colloquialism dialect to illustrate their lower social class such as: “come, we’ll go down”, and such phrases as “at any rate”. This use of different languages between the two classes is highlighted in conversations between the two such as Bessie’s reply to Mrs Reed demands: “Miss Jane screamed so loud, ma’am”. Putting language like this next to Mrs Reed’s complex and well spoken dialect emphasizes Bronte’s statement about the decisions between classes.
Jane’s eight year schooling at Lowood brought her through turbulent early years, and rewarded her with knowledge of society’s expectations and limitations for a poor female. Not only did Jane succeed in her educational opportunities but she also grasped the unchangeable nature of conventional society. She was left in no doubt that her peer group appearance must emphasize their inferiority as Mr Brocklehurst drilled into the girls: “What is that girl with curled hair”, “all these top knots must be cut off”. The principle’s hypocrisy is highlighted by his own family swanning around with elaborate curls and velvet and silk dresses. The daughters, “fine girls”, are honourably received to widen the gap between the upper and lower classes as their questioning of the staff, at the school was quite acceptable.
Bronte introduces Helen Burns, a humble character, as guidance and inspiration towards Jane. The two girls bonded immediately, “is your book interesting” and soon become close friends. Helen is also Jane’s first proper friend and she looks up to her with great admiration. Jane and Helen have quite alot in common, they both are orphans, are interested in reading (Helen reads a book called “Rasselas”) and most importantly the two young girls notice the injustice and segregations between them and the higher class. Parallel to this they both have contrasting ways in dealing with these circumstances. Helen is a very controlled, tolerant girl, “not a feature of her pensive face altered its ordinary expression”, as she endures unwarranted criticism and unnecessary beatings in such a way that Jane’s impetuous nature could never abide. Although this is much difference between the two, Jane respects Helen and takes heed from her words of wisdom, “Yet it would be your duty to bear it”. Jane would much like to take this road of endurance but Helen has something which Jane lacks: a Christian faith. This is another contrasting difference between the two friends, but Jane finds inspiration and comfort from Helen’s certainty, “be received by the same mighty universal Parent, no doubt, dear Jane”.
Jane’s personal development continues once she begins her job as a governess. She becomes independent as she continues her journey of self discovery and reinforcing her views on equality between the classes and sexes, “women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel”. The main character’s inner strength is illustrated by her response to Mr Rochester’s challenging language, Jane shows her intelligence and robustness by simple replies indicating her complete understanding of the topic, “Distrust it, sir; it is not a true angel.” However, in common with her relationship with Mr Rochester Jane is attracted to St John Rivers’ offer of a marriage of convenience by his bullying tactics coupled with the suitor’s obvious strength of character. ”Jane come with me to India: come as my help meet and fellow labourer”, “I claim you-not for my pleasure but for my sovereign’s service”.
Jane Eyre is written in the first person narrative, which has advantages of engrossing the person who reads in the thoughts and feelings of the narrator; this enables her to grasp the hearts and minds of the reader. Bronte has also hallmarked this book by her use of direct address; this disengages the reader from the storyline to develop an affection and empathy to the main character, “READER, I married him.” The book’s simple and straight forward structure is dominated by its theme, which elevates the position of women.
In conclusion the key message from the novel is the position of women in society in Victorian England. Jane Eyre was frustrated and felt helpless but as she self-develops and takes opportunities as they come. She wants to try and make a difference, to prove to herself and others that she doesn’t have to be what society dictates. Bronte’s attitude to the position of women was confrontational as shown by Jane’s unique character and challenging thinking. Bronte explores the various factors which influence women’s position in society; class is the dominating one whilst beauty or lack of it can make a difference, “if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness”. A good education is also an influencing aspect on women’s position as this is their only weapon against the patriarchal society of Victorian England. Bronte’s views on women’s equality with men is accepted in western society now, but at the time these thoughts were very radical.
