Although there are a lot of differences between these novels, the characters Jane Fairfax and Jane Eyre have a lot in common. First of all, both are orphans trying to manage their lives on their own. As orphans, they are more independent than others, as Adrienne Rich puts it: “mothers are dependent and powerless themselves and can only teach their daughters how to survive by the same means: marriage to a financially secure male.” (Thaden 63) Motherless children, on the other hand, had to find a way on their own to survive in this world.
Their Childhood
In early childhood both were sent away in order to get an established education. In Jane Eyre’s case, it is Mrs Reed who arranges boarding school and Jane Fairfax, on the other hand, was sent
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“As yet I had spoken to no one, nor did anybody seem to take notice of me; I stood lonely enough, but to that feeling of isolation I was accustomed: it did not oppress me much.” (Bronte 51) Jane Eyre describes isolation as something she is familiar with and does therefore not complain about it. However, Jane Fairfax’s mysterious character does not allow her to make friends at Highbury which is the same for Jane Eyre after she leaves the boarding …show more content…
Jane Eyre, on the other hand, is confronted with mother-like figures everywhere, although she is not accepted by her relatives. At Gateshead, Bessie is the only person who takes care of Jane when everyone else despises her. When she is put into the red room, Bessie is the only person who comes and talks to her. At Lowood, her teacher Miss Temple saves the children from the bad conditions at the school and becomes a good friend to Jane. While Mr Brocklehurst judges Jane for no reason, Miss Temple defends her and she is the only one who wants to learn the truth about Jane’s actions before judging her. Mrs Fairfax is the one who welcomes Jane to Thornfield. Mrs Fairfax introduces Jane to her new job and supports her through her stay at Thornfield, and it is important to mention that Jane values her opinion: “Mrs Fairfax, I saw, approved me: her anxiety on my account vanished; therefore I was certain I did well” (Bronte
However, the outsider in literature who resonates with me the most is the titular protagonist of Jane Eyre. As the penniless orphan daughter of a deceased gentleman, Jane Eyre is treated as the social Other wherever she goes, for she doesn’t fit into the establish social moulds of either gentry or servants. Apart from the orphans at Lowood and recluses at Marsh End (who are social outsiders themselves), characters in Jane Eyre shun the protagonist from their social circles. For example, at Gateshead, John Reed marginalizes Jane by calling her a “dependent” who doesn’t deserve to live amongst “gentleman’s children” (8).
Jane Eyre Chapters 5-6: I chose the quote, “The “real” subject of [Jane Eyre] is the emotional and intellectual needs (the two inextricably related) of a woman.” to connect with Chapter 6. In pg. 51, it states, “‘You dirty, disagreeable girl! you have never cleaned your nails this morning!” This exclamation spoken by Miss Scatcherd shows the current state the girls are in [in the orphanage].
In Chapter 1, Bronte introduces the idea of Jane’s isolation to help the reader understand where she is coming from; it’s almost as if she is trying to gain sympathy from the reader, as life has not dealt Jane a fair hand. For example, Bronte describes all of the unfortunate events that have occurred in Jane’s life in the beginning of the story. We learn that she is a poor orphan who is reliant on the Reed Family, who treats her poorly. She is secluded behind the curtains of a window seat and reading “History of British Birds”. The window seat is a place of self-imposed seclusion; the red-room is a place of enforced seclusion.
Bronte explores anxiety through the extract as suppressed, due to the way Jane conceals her feelings when Mr. Rochester is in a hurry. Jane perceives that "There were no groomsmen, no bridesmaids, no relatives to wait for or marshal". Firstly, the anxiety is demonstrated through the use of a list of isolation. This technique could link to the fact that isolation, in most cases, can cause anxiety, thus Bronte presents Jane's anxiety through the technique used, creating the effect of apprehension towards the reader as they are reading from Jane's perspective.
When Jane meets Helen at Lowood school, Jane is amazed and confused at Helen’s ability to tolerate the abuse directed at her by the teachers. Both Helen and Jane struggle at the school however, Helen and Jane endure the mistreatment from the teachers individually. “I heard her with wonder: I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance” (Brontë 6). Jane refuses to conform to the teachers complaints, her free
To deliberate these points further, the setting of Gateshead, Lowood and Thornfield will be closely analysed. Additionally, it will discuss how Bronte used the setting of Jane Eyre, to demonstrate that women can go beyond the oppressive limitations of their gender, and social class and find fulfilment. It will also consider how the setting reflects the political and social conditions of the era. The novel opens with a vivid description of the setting at Gateshead, which epitomises the first stage of the protagonist’s Jane Eyre’s life journey and her childhood development. The passage declares that ‘the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre and a rain so penetrating’ (Bronte, Jane Eyre, [1847] 2000, 1.1, all subsequent page
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” Edward Fairfax Rochester plays a contributing role in Janes development and growth as a character and human being in the Victorian time period. Not only does he play a large role in her independency, but in her emotional and spiritual growth as well. She grows around him whether she likes it or not. Due to Edwards manipulative and seductive nature, jane has to grow and develop in a way that has her frequently questioning her own ideals, whether that be spiritually or morally, and strengthening her independence by constantly refusing her feelings for him and adapting to punishing situations. Edward also opens Janes eyes to a world that is bigger than she realized due to his company at the house, wealth, and opportunities at the favorable Thornfeild manor at which she was employed by him.
First, Jane Eyre’s attributes displays women in our society who are still in search for meaning and love in their lives. Just like Jane’s spirit of passion despite abuse, these women continue to search for respect from other
Over the course of Jane’s journey, she struggles with her own Christian faith in God and beliefs as well as with the approaches to religion the characters Mr Brocklehurst, Helen Burns and St. John Rivers have chosen. Mr Brocklehurst Jane’s first encounter with one of the strongly religious characters takes place in her aunt’s house. Jane meets Mr Brocklehurst, the master Lowood school, where she will be studying and eventually become a teacher later in the novel. During her first interaction with him Mr Brocklehurst promptly asks Jane “Do you read your Bible?”
In addition to this, although given the governess position that Jane takes in Thornfield Hall, Brandon still interprets it as ‘nothing but a minor appendage in someone else’s household’ (qtd. in Owsley 59 and 62). This significant change— from lowly schoolgirl, to a charity school teacher, to a governess— in Jane’s place in the social class is one of Brontë’s first moves to get Jane over the social class barriers. And with that, Brontë did not fail in making sure that Jane appears as an independent thinker, utilizing her judgment in deciding for these major turning points in her
The famous opening scene of violence in which the novel begins, is with John Reed’s attack on Jane, and Jane’s counter-attack, associated with the moment of rebellion as well the autonomy with the dispute and confinement in the red-room. Jane displays and puts up a courageous defiance to Mr. Brocklehurst, as being the answer to his question about where “evil” children are being sent off after their death. The scene, especially if we were to put it into context with the later part of the novel, emphasizes her power of will to stand up to a man, based on her beliefs. The violence in turn, has led her life to Lowood which provide her with a supportive environment to express herself and her beliefs. In the figures of Ms. Temple as well as to Helen Burns, Jane finds the relief she is looking for and the ability of discovering herself.
Charlotte Bronte knew as one of the most talented women authors of the Victorian era. She and her sisters, Emily and Anne grow up in Victorian England, they were inspired by the Romantic authors, and all of them write masterpieces in English literature. Charlotte Bronte faced a lot of difficulties, and obstacles in her life even though she manages to write important works in English Literature. For example, Jane Eyre, The Professor, Shirley, and Villette. At first, she writes Jane Eyre under pseudonym Currer Bell.
Throughout Jane Eyre’s childhood life in Gateshead, Bronte depicts Jane having a life that does not have frequent presence
Jane Eyre is an orphan who lives with Mrs. Reed, the wife of her deceased uncle, and her cousins, Johnny, Eliza, and Georgiana. Jane is said to be a bad child, but she is actually tormented by Johnny and reprimanded by Mrs. Reed for it One day she bursts with anger and fights back so is punished and taken to the red room where she becomes hysterical, believes she saw the ghost of her uncle who died in the room, and passes out While she recovers in the care of Bessie and was tended by Mr. Lloyd, he discovers how miserable her life was and helps her by recommending to Mrs. Reed that she should send Jane to school Jane is ignored by the family for months and works with Bessie, who she admires now, until one day Mrs. Reed calls for her and she meets Mr.
Jane Eyre is a young female who is headstrong about her beliefs, and she is the main character in Jane Eyre. Jane is a plain woman who was always singled out by others, especially in her younger years. At the age of 10 Jane was sent to Lowood School by Mr. Brocklehurst and Mrs. Reed, where she then makes great friends and finds out how she wants to live and be treated. After working for two years as a teacher at Lowood, Jane answers an advertisement for a governess to teach a young girl at Thornfield Mansion. When Jane arrived at Thornfield she was highly satisfied by how Mrs. Fairfax treated her with respect unlike many others, and she was pleased with her cooperative pupil Adele.