Isolation In Jane Eyre

Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender.

The novel incorporates Jane’s frequent conflicts, oppression, isolation and self-examination as she defends her identity and independence. Set amongst five separate locations, Bronte’s skilful use of literal and metaphorical landscapes, nature, and imagery, skilfully intertwines with the plot and denotes each phrase of her maturity. To deliberate

These images portray the harrowing feeling of desolation she is experiencing.

The patriarchal Victorian society often compared images of Birds to women. They saw a bird as caged, fragile, and beautiful, who like a woman needed to protect her nest, but the bird must be nurtured, because on her own she was incapable, and vulnerable. (The British Library, 2014). Bronte used bird imagery to imitate human behaviour and feelings, allowing a connection between emotions and nature; she also used Birds to describe Jane’s progression over time.

However, in contrast the images Jane focuses on are not pictures of pretty birds, but bleak shorelines. Jane is like a bird, she longs to fly away, but she is not beautiful she is plain and bleak, and feels trapped like a caged bird. These grim images virtually turn the vision of Victorian bird imagery upside down revealing that Jane is not a traditional Victorian woman, and these bird images depict the affinity Jane has with birds and the conviction to be free once she finds the strength and bravery she needs to take flight on her own. Throughout the story, Jane experiences ‘a rushing of wings’ (17) this ephemeral visitation recurs throughout the novel, which signifies the start of a major change in Jane’s