Explore the Theme of Education in Jane Eyre.
Explore the Theme of Education in Jane Eyre Jane Eyre is a Gothic novel written by Charlotte Brontë, which recounts the life story of a young heroine who faces the challenges of society and family to finally achieve happiness. The Gothic novel is a type of Romantic fiction which was popular in English literature in the 18th and early 19th centuries, examples including Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. The Gothic novel often follows this pattern: a beautiful, young, passive and helpless heroine is abducted from her parents' home by a dark villain who imprisons her in his castle, a location haunted with fear, madness and mystery. Following a period of danger and adventure, the beautiful heroine is rescued by her hero, usually a "nice" fair young man, who returns her home safely. The influence of the Gothic novel is not hard to find in Jane Eyre. Thornfield contains many Gothic features, most notably in the third storey: narrow, low and dim, with only one little window at the far end, and looking, with its two rows of small black doors all shut, like a corridor in some Bluebeard's castle. A handsome young man, St John, and a dark, rough one, Mr Rochester, compete for Jane's attention, as fits the traditional pattern for the Gothic novel. However, the interesting aspect is the way in which Charlotte Brontë turns the Gothic tradition upside
The feminism in Jane Eyre
Haian Nguyen October 31, 2009 Word Count: 3271 In what ways might Jane Eyre be considered a feminist novel? For many years, women have always been placed under a multitude of societal constraints and limitations in society. This status quo accepted by society as an ideal defined by the norms of each time period. Feminists disagree with this unjust power to define the women's status as dependent upon the dominant male figures. However, as time progresses, more women sought and seek to overturn the status quo by voicing their opinions that all are equal, making this one of the feminist's characteristics. Feminism can be defined as: 1) the belief that women and men are, and have been, treated differently by our society, and that women have frequently and systematically been unable to participate fully in all social arenas and institutions; 2) a desire to change that situation; 3) a "new" point-of-view on society, when eliminating old assumptions about why things are the way they are, and looking at it from the perspective that women are not inferior and men are not "the norm." As an approach to change the belief that women and men are, and have been treated differently by our society, feminist writers utilize the power of literature to speak out against inequality through their feminist novels. Feminist novels are books written to illuminate women's inequality in society.
Comparison of Jane Eyre + The Color Purple.
Comparison of Jane Eyre + The Color Purple Both novels are variations of the same theme: the spiritual and emotional growth of the heroine. Is this a fair assessment? Both novels convey important, political messages exploring the idea of feminism and womenÆs emancipation. Bronte uses Jane as a figure of female independence, while Walker demonstrates her views on civil rights and commitment to feminism through Celie. In this essay I will be examining the traumatic journeys that both Jane and Celie go through, to find their eventual happiness. I will also be considering the spiritual and emotional growth of both girls, throughout their journey in life. Written in 1847, Jane Eyre was an immediate best seller in the early Victorian period. At this period in time, women had a very inferior status to men, which allowed Bronte to stress her theme of female independence. Jane is the eponymous heroine of the novel, going through severe tests in each stage of her life, so that she can eventually deserve her eventual happiness. Jane starts her journey with her childhood at Gateshead. Here, we quickly discover that Jane is unhappy and it is evident by the way she hides behind the thick red curtains in the deserted room, that she is lonely and isolated. It is quickly apparent that Jane has a strong personality and though she is only ten years old, she refuses to be dominated by her
How does Charlotte Bronte use the different houses in her novel Jane Eyre?
How does Charlotte Bronte use the different houses in her novel Jane Eyre? In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte uses different locations in particular different houses to produce a structural base for the story and to provide a basis for Jane's progression through life and the changes she experiences. The houses are a background to the plot of Jane Eyre that is the evolution of Jane from lonely orphan at Gateshead into an established and well-developed character at Ferndean who is Mr Rochester's equal. Throughout the story Jane lives in many houses all that are different in certain aspects but in some aspects they are similar. One such aspect is that all the houses have a dominant male in Gateshead it is John Read in Lowood it is Mr Brocklehurst and at Thornfield even though she is equal to Mr Rochester when they are alone when guests are present she must then observe the social hierarchy which means Mr Rochester is dominant over Jane. Another similarity is that in each of different and contrasting houses there is always an over all feeling of Jane being trapped and constrained inside their walls. Jane is always fighting against the dominant males in the houses as seen when she encounters John Reed and calls him a murderer. She always rebels against the dominant male in the household until she meets Rochester who is not only the dominant male but also a kind and loving
It has been said of Jane Eyre,
It has been said of Jane Eyre, "She has learned to keep the passionate and assertive side of her nature well-disguised." Do you agree with this statement? In Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Jane Eyre' the eponymous heroine, is portrayed as being a passionate and assertive person who adapts to the restricting Victorian society in which she lives by trying to disguise this part of her character. At some points in the book she succeeds in this aim, but in others, such as her eventual desertion of St John for Mr Rochester, she shows that she must be able to express herself freely and therefore has not "learned to keep the passionate and assertive side of her nature well-disguised." 'Jane Eyre' has been described as being like a Five-Act Play. This is because it can be divided into five parts: Jane's childhood at Gateshead, her education at Lowood, her employment at Thornfield, her stay at Moor House and the conclusion of the book, taking places in Ferndean. By looking at each of the locations individually, it can be seen whether Jane learns to hide the unconventional side of her nature. Each of these 'acts' contain problems Jane must overcome and each learning process affects her character which is why the novel is described as a bildungsroman, a novel about spiritual and social education. Jane narrates the book in retrospect, showing the reader her thoughts at the time, and also
'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte - review
Nikki Sadler Year 11- Wider reading 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte This book is by Charlotte Bronte, who has in some ways connected this book to her own life which will be identified in this essay. The story is written as though Jane is an adult that is looking back on her life and experiences as a ten year old child. At ten years old Jane is an interesting child, she argues for what she believes and is very intelligent and special, and all of which she is not regarded by the Reed family. The main point put across is that she does not think or act as what was expected by a 19th century child. This is how in some ways the character Jane and her life mirror's Charlotte Bronte's life. The way the novel opens on a 'dreary November afternoon' indicates that the place the story is based is gloomy and dark. The opening paragraph introduces the Reed family after the word 'wealthy', signifying immediate importance compared to Jane when she is introduced as 'a young girl', separate from the Reed family. This immediately shows how she is outcast from the family. Charlotte Bronte introduces Jane in second person, but then becomes Jane when explaining how she is 'dispensed from the group'. Using second person set the scene before becoming Jane. Jane lives with Mrs. Reed, Eliza, John and Georgiana. She was left with them by her Uncle, Mr. Reed who died. Her parents died of
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte traces the development of a girl from childhood at Gateshead to adulthood at Ferindean. We see Jane's lonely and traumatic life and we are made to feel sympathy for her. Bronte makes us feel sympathy for Jane throughout the novel by using a number of literary techniques, which is achieved by methods such as characterisation, narrative viewpoint, the Reed family, language and direct speech. We see and admire Jane's courage and her brilliant imagination. She is a likeable person because she maintains strength of character and rebellion throughout her suffering, which is unique for a woman at that period. We develop a closer relationship with Jane as the novel is written in the first person narrative. This is very important for creating sympathy for Jane as Jane pours out her thoughts and feelings so we know exactly what she is thinking and feeling. It gives us a greater insight into Jane's character and gives the story a sense of reliability and credibility as we believe what Jane tells us. Charlotte Bronte uses nature as a sympathetic background. The weather is miserable, cold and wet to reflect the cold, hostile atmosphere Jane encounters. "... the cold winter had brought with it clouds so sombre and a rain so penetrating." Right from the first few paragraphs it is made clear that Jane is an outsider and also humbled by the consciousness
Book Review - "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë.
Book Review "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë "Jane Eyre" is the timeless classic, telling the story of a girl who finds that beauty is found within, rather than on the outside. Written by Charlotte Brontë in a Victorian England time setting. This novel, though set over a century ago, still has issues with relevance to modern day society. Orphaned at a very young age, Jane lives with her cruel and criticising aunt until being sent to an all girls seminary. She stays at the Lowood Institution until the age of eighteen, when she advertises for a post as a governess. She receives one at an estate named Thornfield. This is where she meets Mr. Rochester, the owner of the estate and her true love. When she learns his dark secret, she flees to another part of England. She meets St. John, a man she finds attractive for his looks, but does not like what he holds inside. She realises she can only find happiness back at Thornfield and returns to marry Rochester. Jane is attracted to Rochester, even though she does not find him handsome. "...It was not easy to give an impromptu answer to a question about appearances; that tastes differ; and that beauty is of little consequence..." After answering no to Rochester's question of whether or not he was handsome, she goes on to tell him that appearances mean little or nothing. One of the purposes of this book is to make us realise
Jane Eyre
Mutha 1 Mutha Rushabh Ferns Sylvia English language 06 November 2008 JANE EYRE -BY CHARLOTTE BRONTË Self Reflection /World Connection Personal response to the novel - According to me the author of the novel, Charlotte Brontë has articulated herself to the fullest. She has described the plot, theme, and the setting in such a good way that it is very easy for the reader to create a picture in his mind. In my opinion the themes that provoked my interest mainly are -Confidence and Independence, Morality, Social Class, Atonement and Forgiveness, and of course Love and Passion .Throughout the book Jane Eyre demands to be treated as an independent human being, a person with her own needs and talents. The story is not only a love story; but recognition of the individual's worth. Jane refuses to become Rochester's wife because of her "impassioned self-respect and moral conviction." She also rejects John River's purity as much as Rochester's liberty. Instead, she works out a morality expressed in love, independence, and forgiveness. In terms of social class Jane herself speaks out against class prejudice at certain moments in the book, for e.g. "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!-I have as much soul as you-and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have
The function of landscape or the environment in Jane Eyre.
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre The function of landscape or the environment in Jane Eyre. ***** We must first distinguish between the above options. 'Landscape' seems more restrictive to terms of geography than 'environment', which, as the focus of this essay, I am interpreting as referring to physical surroundings and their effect in creating intangible environmental aspects of the social, spiritual, and atmospheric. Ostensibly this could include certain elements of landscape, and I will be discussing some brief relevant descriptions in the context of environment as a more holistic concept. So to what purpose does Brontë put her description of environment in Jane Eyre? According to Delia da Sousa Correa, we are made aware from the offset of the novel of the 'intense relationship... between the description of external conditions and the portrayal of individual thoughts and feelings' which 'establishes Jane's consciousness at the centre of the narrative'. How each 'external description conveys Jane's...feelings' and also how they foreshadow later events and settings. Brontë's use of imagery and symbolism in her description of environment is integral to the novel. She uses the setting to further the reader's appreciation of Jane's inner feelings, physically expressing, complimenting, and intensifying her emotions. The autobiographical first person narrative style of Jane
