Jane Eyre Summary
Jane Eyre Précis Jane Eyre is a girl growing up in the home of her rich Aunt, Mrs. Reed, who, along with her children, mistreats Jane. One day after Jane's cousin, John Reed, knocks her down, she is punished for fighting with him by being sent to the room where her uncle died. There, she swoons in fear that that room is haunted, and wakes back in the nursery with a kind servant, Bessie, and an apothecary, Mr. Lloyd, at her side. After Jane confides in Mr. Lloyd about how unhappy she is at Gateshead, he recommends to Mrs. Reed that Jane be sent to school. Mrs. Reed soon has a meeting with the superintendent, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Jane is sent to Lowood school. At Lowood, Jane finds that the girls are given only the most basic amenities needed to survive. Jane is frustrated when her friend, Helen Burns, takes unjust punishment from teachers, but uses the example Helen sets to endure the humiliation Mr. Brocklehurst causes her when he calls her a "liar" in front of all the students. Mrs. Temple, a kind teacher, soon clears Jane of these charges. Many of the girls in the school become ill with the typhus fever, and Helen dies of the consumption. Mr. Brocklehurst is blamed for the illnesses, and he is soon replaced by a kinder group, who creates a much more pleasant environment for the girls. After six more years of schooling and two years as a teacher, Jane takes a
Wuthering Heights accurately reflects the sharp class divisions of nineteenth century England. Discuss
Wuthering Heights accurately reflects the sharp class divisions in nineteenth-century English society. In the Victorian Era, the three main classes in society were the elite class, the middle class, and the working class; however, further divisions existed within these three class distinctions. In addition, social class was not solely dependent upon the amount of money a person had; money, manners, speech, clothing, education, and values also contributed to a person’s position in the social hierarchy. This is made evident in the novel as when Heathcliff returns to the Grange following his three year absence as a nouveau riche, having money is not enough for Edgar to consider him a part of acceptable society. This is because of Heathcliff’s non-noble birth which is reminiscent of Oliver from Dickens’ novel, ‘Oliver Twist’; a child who could have been of noble birth but because he lived on the streets he was automatically placed at the bottom of society. Unlike the Lintons, Heathcliff was born and abandoned as an orphan on the streets of Liverpool and ‘seeing it starving, and houseless, and as good as dumb’, Mr. Earnshaw brought him home to raise as a son amongst his two legitimate children. As an abandoned orphan, Heathcliff belonged to the lowest station in society. During this time, it was unheard of for a middle class family to raise someone of lower statute
Compare Katherina and Jane Eyre's attitude towards marriage, commenting on the historical context of each character and the language they use. What are your views on marriage and its future in the twenty-first century?
Compare Katherina and Jane Eyre's attitude towards marriage, commenting on the historical context of each character and the language they use. What are your views on marriage and its future in the twenty-first century? ...The two characters Katherina and Jane Eyre both have different views about marriage but they both believe that it is necessary. In the end Katherina believes that men are superior to women, where as Jane believes that woman are equal to men. Today society doesn't make women feel that they have to be married to gain importance they are treated as equals and it is not socially wrong for people not to be married. ...Katherina had no say of who she married, anyone could have her for the right price. When married her possessions then belonged to her husband. When this was written all women were expected to be loyal to there husbands, because if they were not they could be beaten and thrown out by their husband. Women at this time could not work, only around the house. Marriages at this time do not seem to have much to do with the religious side women were just sold like objects. ...Katherina was not obedient at first though she refused to be married. There was no one that would marry her though because she was such a "shrew". The only reason why she was married was
Remind yourself of the passage in Chapter 14 from I know it well; therefore I proceed almost as freely(TM) to the end of the chapter. Discuss the significance of this passage in your reading of the novel.
Remind yourself of the passage in Chapter 14 from 'I know it well; therefore I proceed almost as freely...' to the end of the chapter. Discuss the significance of this passage in your reading of the novel. In the course of your answer: * Look closely at the effects of the writing in the passage(s) you have chosen: * Comment on ways in which your chosen passage(s) to the novel's methods and concerns. In this particular chapter, Rochester chooses to confined in Jane- 'I know it well; therefore I proceed almost as freely as if I were writing my own thoughts in a diary...' without 'giving himself away' he proceeds to hint at this 'past existence' to Jane without either one really understanding why. Rochester states that he finds it 'impossible to be conventional' with Jane, and thus 'talks like Sphynx' to subliminally tell Jane that he believes to be in love with her. 'When fate wronged me, I had not the wisdom to remain cool...' is significant in the further reading of the novel when you read of Rochester's dissipation around Europe and his Mistresses-particularly Céline Varens-he suggests being remorseful at his past actions and tells Jane to 'dread remorse when you are tempted...remorse is the poison of life,' which foreshadows Jane's latter decision to leave Rochester and Thornfield as she too would become remorseful as Rochester has she stayed and become his Mistress
Write an account of Helen Burns last night done from her perspective.
Write a Page on Your First Impressions of Nora from "A Doll's House". When we first meet Nora she enters with a bag on presents after ringing the doorbell, this would at once strike an audience as strange as despite the fact that Nora lives in this house she must ring the doorbell in order to enter it which thus gives us the impression that perhaps she isn't as free as we are later led to believe. On Nora's first entrance she is shown to be quite immature as she acts very child-like and as the season is Christmas Nora is happy and joyous mirroring the time of year as she 'continues to laugh happily to herself' showing that she is cheerful. On its own this wouldn't strike an audience as strange added with her other childish actions such as the way she 'tiptoes' to listen 'at her husband's door' and also the way she clandestinely wipes her mouth after she "pops the bag of macaroons in her pocket" which is a similar action a child would make if they were about to be caught eating something they shouldn't. Nora is shown to be more child-like than the adult she supposedly is through her speech as uses phrases just 'a tiny bit' when she talks of shopping or "lots and lots of money". This makes her sound very childish and so adds to the little girl image that has been built up thus far. We can also deduce that Nora likes to spend money and does this a lot as her husband, Torvald,
Is Catherine Earnshaw a Nineteenth Century Heroine?
Cathy is a nineteenth century heroine. * With reference to appropriately selected parts of the novel, and relevant external contextual information, give your response to the view above. By definition, a heroine is a woman who would typically encompasses the qualities of nobility, courage, independence and strength. Nineteenth century English women would have struggled to accomplish any of these particular acts of heroism within their social environment as ultimately, their roles within civilisation saw them becoming a good wives and mothers and before that, obliging and caring daughters. Catherine Earnshaw appears to begin her life free-spirited, rebellious and with a wild nature. However, her inner desire craves social ambition which, in turn, shows her slowly representing culture and civilisation. Cathy certainly displays some of those characteristics which are present in a nineteenth century heroine in the early stages of the novel, such of that as rebellion and the desire to reject the conformities expected of her. The first time we are introduced to Catherine is through Lockwood who observes that, ‘The ledge… was covered in writing, scratched on the paint’. It is obvious that Cathy was the one to deface the window ledge as it is her name that is etched across it, ‘in all kinds of characters, large and small- Catherine Earnshaw, here and there varied to
Edgar Linton has more right than Heathcliff to be called the hero in "Wuthering Heights". Discuss.
Edgar Linton has more right than Heathcliff to be called the hero of Wuthering Heights. The word hero conjures an image in one’s head of a valiant, courageous, strong individual; one who puts the needs of others before their own, a being who defies evil with their handsome charm and fearless nature. However, this stereotypical image does not accurately depict the full extent to which the term hero covers, as there are many different types of hero including the Byronic Hero, Classic Hero, Medieval Hero, and Romantic Hero. Classic Heroes are those in Greek and Roman literature; they are often of royal birth or even like the Titan Prometheus; half mortal, half god. Although Edgar Linton is not of royal descent, he is from a family of the highest social class throughout the country which allows him to fall loosely into this category of noble birth. Heathcliff on the other hand, is from a discernible background and is brought into the household at Wuthering Heights as a ‘gipsy brat’ after Mr. Earnshaw saw, ‘it starving, and houseless, and as good as dumb in the streets of Liverpool.’ Another characteristic of a Classic Hero is that they perform extraordinary feats. Throughout the novel Edgar Linton displays no obvious signs of having done anything extraordinary; he is a calm, weak natured individual who avoids conflict and allows himself to be easily overpowered both
Madness in "Wuthering Heights".
Carolina Anzola Mrs. Smith AP Literature and Composition 7 August 2012 The Maddness of Wuthering Heights What is madness? It is defined as the state of having a serious mental illness, extremely foolish behavior, according to Oxford Dictionary. To an author, however, it can be so much more. In her novel, Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë had a method behind the madness, so to speak, using it to make many main points throughout the novel. She employs this madness specifically in her character Heathcliff, whose own emotions driven him to insanity. Through what causes him to go mad, and his actions as a result, the story is develped Heathcliff’s madness derived from multiple factors but is rooted from hate shown by Hindley. When Mr. Earnshaw founb Heathcliff in the streets and took him in (page 36), he treated him like his son, sometimes even better than his own children. This created Hindley’s resentment for Heathcliff. Hindley did not like the attention Heathcliff recived from his father, therefore wanted to make Heathcliff as miserable as possible. When Hindley makes him a servant of the family, after Mr. Earnshaw’s death (page 43), he makes his distain know, with constasnt abuse and ill-treatment. It would give reason to Heathcliff’s loathing of Hindley. No one would agreeably go through that adversity without good reason. Therefore, it would seem reasonable
Discuss the nature of love between Heathcliff and Catherine
Discuss the nature of love between Catherine and Heathcliff. The love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff is one of its kinds. It is not the romantic love we know nowadays, but deeply, and passionate. As we know that Heathcliff and Catherine love each other very much, they usually show their by sarcasm and criticizing for each other. Heathcliff and Catherine grow up as brother and sister, although Heathcliff was adopted by Mr. Earnshaw from Liverpool. They grew to be very close to each other because both of them shared the love of the moors and the freedom of being wild outside. Their love exists on a higher or spiritual plane; they are soul mates, two people who have an attraction for each other which draw them together irresistibly. Heathcliff repeatedly calls Catherine his soul, and when Catherine was explaining her choice of marrying Edgar to Nelly Dean she says that "I am Heathcliff!" show emphasizes how much their souls are bonded together. This is further proven when Catherine dies, and Heathcliff tells Nelly, "I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" referring to the dead Catherine. This is then fulfilled later beyond the grave when they are reunited in death, and some inhabitants of the village claim that they saw the ghosts of Heathcliff and Catherine together. Their relationship is presented as something enduring, hard and
Wuthering heights
Examine the reasons for destructive relationships in Wuthering heights Bronte's Wuthering heights displays several characteristics of destructive relationships, stemming from jealousy, uncaring parents, and not knowing the true personality of a husband or wife. These situations are all present in the novel, and all cause a breakdown in communication between characters, resulting in hostility and separation. The destructive relationships between parent and offspring are shown through the characters of Hindley and his father, as well as Linton and Heathcliff. When Heathcliff first begins living with Mr Earnshaw, it becomes difficult for the relationship between him and his son to remain unaffected. Hindley becomes hostile towards his father as a result of being overshadowed by Heathcliff, who is favoured by Mr Earnshaw. Nelly reveals to the reader in chapter 4 that she had noticed Mr Earnshaw becoming increasingly fond of Heathcliff, disregarding the feelings of his own son Hindley. This resulted in a separation between Hindley and his father. The destructive relationship between them presents themes such as isolation and depression, typical of a gothic novel. "..and at Mr Earnshaw's death, which happened less than two years after, the young master had learnt to regard his father as an oppressor rather than a friend...". Bronte skilfully chose to continue the theme of
