How does Charlotte Bronte create sympathy for jane in the first 2 chapers

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GCSE English Literature Coursework

How does Charlotte Brontë create sympathy for Jane in the first two chapters of the novel, ‘Jane Eyre?’

We are transported back to 1842; a customary cold and dreary day is the setting of the month of November. A young child of the female gender sits alone. Made redundant from the daily family meeting and is left to fend for herself. This is merely the beginning of a great novel that has been transformed into countless sequels, prequels, silent and sound film adaptations, musicals and television series. Though it was made 166 years ago and for it to still have all this publicity and media hype means it really is one of the best pieces of English literature that will always remain on the top of the leader board.

In a time where women were supposed to behave in a certain manner that if opposed to would make you stick out like sore thumb, and when children were to be seen and not heard, it is Jane who challenges these and makes a stand, but up to a certain extent.

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The use of ‘I’ at the beginning of the novel instantly makes us enter into the workings of Jane's mind, which helps the reader understand what Jane is feeling: ‘I was glad of it.’ Us being allowed to enter Jane’s mind, gives us a deeper insight into her thinking patterns which are quite rich as they allow us to make vivid images in our minds and are definitely very mature ‘The words in these introductory pages connected themselves with the succeeding vignettes, and gave significance to the rock standing up alone in a sea of billow and spray…’ compared to ...

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