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].
Nearing the end of Jane’s stay at Lowood, she decides she wants a change due to the fact that Miss Temple (a dear teacher who stood Jane in the stead of a ‘mother, governess, and latterly, companion) left the school. With her in the school, Jane felt somewhat at home and a sense of belonging. Upon her departure, she applies for the job of a governess to fulfil the longing of belonging once again.
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.
Therefore Jane must have expected more people to show up, most likely from Mr. Rochester's side, hence why this could have affected Jane even more, due to having higher expectations from a wealthy man. This presents her anxiety as Jane would be anticipating as to whether there are to be anyone else other than themselves and the inmates of Thornfield, or not. The fact that no one besides the residents at Thornfield Hall showed up, could prompt the reader that Jane moved on this far in her life without any family, and is still going, consequently, not many people have shown up. thus the reader would commiserate for
Mrs. Reed likewise separates Jane from the Reeds’ social circle by confining her to the nursery while her cousins spend their days in the drawing room (22) and calling Mr. Lloyd, the apothecary for “ailing servants,” instead of the family physician for Jane’s illness (15), thus placing her among the servants. However, the servants too reject Jane from their group—Miss Abbot told Jane that she is “less than a servant” because she does “nothing for [her] keep” (9). Jane thus
In reading the first part of Jane Eyre I couldn’t help but to make the comparison between it and Harry Potter. Jane, like Harry, is an orphan sent to live with her aunt. Gateshead is the equivalent to what the Dursley’s home is to Harry, and although Jane doesn’t live under the stairs it is reiterated that she does not belong with the family. Jane is often isolated from the people who have taken her in, and just wishes to belong despite being so different. Unlike Harry she is not sent away to Hogwarts, nor is it a school with ample food and the opportunity to learn magic, but instead a strictly religious girls’ school with burnt porridge and temperatures so low water freezes inside.
Miss Temple as mentioned by name becomes “a sort of shrine of ladylike virtues: magnanimity, cultivation, courtesy-and repression” (Gilbert & Gubar 344). Bronte uses Miss Temple to represent the woman that Victorian period accepts and yet does not lose her independence as the scene where she stands against Mr. Brocklehurst demonstrates. Miss Temple acts as a guide to Jane as she takes her first step of learning how to fit among other people. Jane also describes Helen Burns having powers within her which “kindle[s]… [and] glow in the bright tint of her cheek” (Bronte 55).
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
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
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
Jane goes against the expected type by “refusing subservience, disagreeing with her superiors, standing up for her rights, and venturing creative thoughts” (Margaret, 1997, p. 325-346). She is not only successful in terms of wealth and position, but more importantly, in terms of family and love. These two needs that have evaded Jane for so long are finally hers. Adding to her victory is her ability to enjoy both without losing her hard-won independence. Everybody has the rights to pursue happiness, to pursue the true spirit of life, which can be seen from Jane Eyre’s struggle for independence and equality.
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.
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.
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?”