Jane+Eyre

=//Jane Eyre Data Sheet//=


 * Title:** //Jane Eyre//
 * Author:** Charlotte Bronte
 * Original Date of Publication and Awards:** 1847
 * Literary Period:** Victorian
 * Genre:** Gothic-Romantic fiction

**Theme:**
Bronte depicts the struggles that women face in Victorian society due to their expected subservience. Women were expected to serve the men in society, able to only join the convent or to get married. Jane feels caged by these rigid guidelines, fighting for her own independence and freedom. Her female foils echo the female stereotypes of the era while enhancing Jane's own rebellious and expressive nature. Furthermore, Bronte demonstrates that independence comes from the soul; it cannot be given or taught, but it must be experienced. Jane is constantly restless due to the confining controls of her society. Not only must independence be gained from the self, but also self acceptance comes from within the soul. Jane searches to find out her true identity and meaning in society through serving others, but she cannot find happiness until she finds what fills the void inside her life. Furthermore, Bronte demonstrates that there are two forms of passion among females in society. She commends the intellectual passion that Jane experiences, wishing to rebel against class systems and female stereotypes. However, she criticizes Bertha's "untameable" and "wild" passion that stems from sexual desire and full dominance over men. Although Bronte satirizes Helen and demonstrates that her philosophy shouldn't be followed, she shows that people are able to grow and heal from forgiveness. Forgiveness is necessary to move on. Jane cannot forgive Rochester and his transgressions until she forgives those who tormented her in childhood. In addition, Bronte demonstrates the hypocrisy of many religious zealots in the Victorian Era. Helen allows people to take full advantage of her whereas Brocklehurst is a self preached zealot who is cruel and ignorant about the Bible; she praises St. John's decision, showing that St. John's choices are acceptable whereas Helen's are not because he chose his fate through a deliberate choice.

**Relevance of Setting:**
__Gateshead:__ Jane is emotionally and physically tormented by Mrs. Reed and her cousins. She doesn't know what it is like to feel affection or love, ultimately driving her future decisions to place passion over reason. At the Reed's, she feels isolated and cold from the world around her. This experience greatly impacts how she sees herself later on; she truly believes that if she was pretty, people would love her which creates one of the themes revolving around feminine identity and Victorian stereotypes. Jane views herself as an outsider, symbolizing her appearance with that of an imp or fairy-a supernatural creature feared and hated by her society. She is told that her passion and behavior is wild and unruly, believing that passion is equal to wickedness and sin. Lowood: Both Mr. Brocklehurst and Helen are introduced here, satirized by Bronte. Bronte reflects on the hypocrisy of many religious zealots like Brocklehurst. He makes the orphans at his school cut their hair and wear ugly clothing because "beauty is sin". However, his wife and daughters dress in silk, jewels, fake lace bangs, etc. Although his family lavishes in wealth, he treats the girls severely and cruelly. Without Helen, Jane wouldn't have been able to survive Lowood. However, Jane appears to lose her passionate this point, controlled by the "Lowood constraint". She realizes that she is not content being a school teacher, yearning to find independence and happiness. __Thornfield__: Mr. Rochester, the master of the manor, is full of passion and sarcasm. He objects to class rules, urging Jane to express herself freely. This is the first time that Jane is encouraged to share her intellectual passions and ideas; he is the first person to refer to her as something good. However, supernatural elements begin at play here as well; Jane is still relentless about her future. Even after Rochester's proposal, it is clear that she feels forced to act like a machine that bows to his every will. She feels suffocated by his demands and passion, drowning in his own wants and needs. When Bertha is revealed, it frees Jane in an odd way. She wouldn't have been able to leave Rochester because of the deep love she felt for him, but at the same time, she felt as if something were wrong. She is able to continue her search for independence because she know realizes it can't be with Rochester...just yet. __Moor House:__ Moor House is small and quaint, offering more comfort than the large, mysterious halls at Thornfield. Moor House and Thornfield are juxtaposed often, offering another juxtaposition of Rochester and St. John. Moor House is small, quaint and although it offers warmth, it is not exciting, mysterious, passionate, etc. Here, Jane is offered a choice to except St. John's marriage proposal. He is intelligent, modest, caring, religious, and moral. He resembles many characteristics that women would find honorable and handsome in the Victorian Era. he is also incredibly handsome and young. On the contrary, Rochester is older, bitter, and not handsome. He has money and lacks religious devotion. However, Jane cannot deny her heart and realizes that marrying St. John would be a huge mistake on her part; she realizes her fate lies with Mr. Rochester, as his wife, friend, or even just a caretaker. __Ferndean:__ Ferndean is in an unhealthy state, filled with mold and decay. Rochester couldn't even consider placing Bertha here for the belief that it was too inhumane, she would simply waste away. After Rochester's accident, he goes to Ferndean to die. He believes that Jane could possibly be dead and that there is no reason for him to keep on living. Ferndean becomes his tomb; he decides to wait there for his death. Jane saves him, sparking hope and comfort back into his heart. he is able to let her care for him, and she becomes his support. Together, they survive past death, destruction, and wild passion to find what a true meaningful relationship is.

=__Plot Summary (beginning, middle, end)__= __Opening:__ Jane Eyre is a recollection of her life, narrated by Jane, beginning at her childhood at Gateshead. From a young age, Jane has always felt like an "interloper race"; she is ignored and abandoned from the Reed Family. The only attention she receives is through John's physical torment. Mrs. Reed emotionally abuses Jane, even the servants refer to her as wicked and unkempt. At the age of 10, Jane only desires to have love, yet she has no idea what love truly is which begins her journey for self acceptance, love, and independence. Jane spends her time alone, reading //Bewick's History of British Birds//, which reflect her mood of isolation and belief that she is alone against the struggle of life. She is locked in the Red Room for her unruly passion and wickedness which becomes a defining moment for her life. The first description of supernatural elements begins here as well. Jane is certain she sees a specter coming for her which further shows the abuse she suffers when Mrs. Reed doesn't believe her, leaving this small child alone in a decrepit room. Jane faints from fear. After confronting Mrs. Reed about her cruel and evil nature, Jane is sent to Lowood: a poor school for orphans.

__Middle:__ Mr. Brocklehurst believes that Jane is a wicked child due to the lies of Mrs. Reed, so Jane does her best to distant herself from him in fear he will make all the teachers and other students hate her. Lowood is an atrocious school for children; they eat molded and spoiled food; they are forced to walk almost barefoot through snow for miles; they must dress in modest, ugly clothing to reflect the idea that beauty is a sin; disease spreads quickly, and some of the teachers are also abusive. Jane meets Helen, a Christ figure, who believes that suffering is duty. Helen helps Jane survive Lowood by being her friend and showing her how to control her passion. Mr. Brocklehurst eventually sees Jane, orders her to stand on a chair in front of the school, and recalls how she is evil and wicked, commanding all teachers and students to stay away from her. Helen doesn't listen and comforts Jane; however, typhus fever spread around Lowood, decimating the population. Jane finds out that Helen has tuberculosis and is kept in the beautiful and loving Miss Temple's room. Jane holds Helen in her sleep as she dies peacefully. Jane becomes a teacher at Lowood when she is older, and although she is content, she wishes for more in the world. She applies for a governess position at Thornfield Manor. She teaches Miss Adele, a French child that could possibly be the offspring of the master, Mr. Rochester. Jane reflects on the shallowness she feels at Thornfield. She desires loving relationships, but again she is only content. However, she falls in love with the bitter and sarcastic Mr. Rochester. He enjoys treating her like a small pet; she is completely subservient to him. He reveals he plans to marry Blanche Ingram, a beautiful but horrid young lady. A part of noble friends, including Blanche, comes to Thornfield. Blanche treats Jane with cruelty; Rochester doesn't object. During this time, a man named Mr. Mason is stabbed. oddly enough, someone else attempted to light Mr. Rochester on fire before the party arrived. Jane believes that Grace Poole, a servant, is behind the murders and that she is a wicked creature. The party leaves, and Jane travels back to Gateshead after hearing the news of John's suicide and the unstable state of Mrs. Reed.

__End:__ Jane meets with Eliza and Georgiana again, becoming closer with each but still aware of their many character flaws. Mrs. Reed reveals that she hates Jane Eyre because of her jealousy and insecurity due to her late husband's favor for Jane versus his own children. Jane forgives Mrs. Reed for her transgressions, knowing that she is scared of the Hell that may await her for breaking her promise to her husband. Mrs. Reed tells Jane that her uncle came to claim her and give her a loving life while she was at Lowood, but Mrs. Reed lied and said Jane was dead. Jane urges Mrs. Reed to forgive her and to reconcile, but she dies bitter in an unpeaceful state. Jane returns to Rochester at Thornfield. It is revealed that he never planned to marry Blanche, it was an elaborate plan to make Jane jealous. They reveal their mutual love for each other and Rochester proposes. He covers her in jewels, pearls, and silk, but Jane refuses; although she has finally found "love", something is still clearly wrong. Right before the wedding, Jane sees a monstrous woman come into her room, ripping her wedding veil after trying it on. Rochester assures her; they go through with the wedding. Right before they are married, Mason busts in with his lawyer, claiming Rochester can;t marry Jane because he's ALREADY MARRIED. It is revealed that he marries Mr. Mason's sister, Bertha, 15 years ago. He claims she was crazy, eventually locking her up in a room with Grace Poole. She attempted to kill Mason and Rochester for what they did to her. Jane realizes that she cannot marry Rochester because it would be a horrid sin. She sneaks out of the house, running away to find a new life. When she is on the brink of starvation and death, she meets St. John and his sisters who offer her refuge. It is later revealed that they are cousins, Jane is left a hefty sum from her deceased uncle that she divides among the four of them. She becomes a school teacher, finally finding the familial love she has desired for so many years. St. John proposes, not out of love, but because she believes she would make an amazing minister's wife. Her passion wins over reason; she decided she must find out of Mr. Rochester's fate, and then she would decide. As she travels back to Thornfield, it was revealed that the entire mansion burned down, just like in her previous dream. Rochester lost his vision and a hand due to the fire and his attempted sacrifice to save the servants. Bertha committed suicide. Jane finds Rochester as the old Ferndean manor. They assert their love for each other, and now they are able to be together due to Bertha's death and the "castration" of Rochester's dominance. They have a child together and it is revealed that Jane is incredibly happy in their equal relationship. She ends her story while referring to St. John's impending death in India, and the glory that awaits him for his religious servitude.

__ **Memorable Quotes and Significance** __

Even at the age of ten, Jane ponders about the thoughts of suicide. She is so miserable with the Reed family because of their physical and emotional torment that she feels that death is the only escape. She is completely isolated and separated by from any form of affection or love. She feels as if she is constantly being beaten, tortured, and tormented and that if her small body won't be able to take it anymore. Death feels like her only form of escape.
 * //"'Unjust!--unjust!' said my reason, forced by the agonizing stimulus into precocious though transitory power; and Resolve, equally wrought up, instigated some strange expedient to achieve escape from insupportable oppression - as running away, or, if that could not be effected, never eating or drinking more, and letting myself die" (19)//**


 * //"'My dear children,' pursued the black marble clergyman with pathos, 'this is a sad, melancholy occasion; for it becomes my duty to warn you that this girl, who might be one of God's own lambs, is a little castaway - not a member of the true flock, but evidently an interloper and an alien'" (78)//**

Bronte satirizes religious zealots through Mr. Brocklehurst. He picks and chooses the Bible verses he likes, unaware of the meanings and symbolism in others. Jane has more knoweledge about the Bible and understands its mysteries more than Mr. Brocklehurst. He is a horrid hypocrite who induces suffering on the girls in the orphanage. Although he claims that beauty is a sin, forcing a girl to cut her beautiful long hair, his children and wife are showered in silks, gold, jewels, and lace.

Helen resembles a Christ figure in Jane Eyre. However, Bronte satirizes Helen's character, implying that Jane should not follow in her path and philosophy. Helen believes that it is her duty to suffer; she doesn't question why because it is too painful for her to accept why so many terrible things could happen to her. Jane attempts to speak for both her and Helen's passion since Helen lacks any. She destroys the Slattern placed on Helen's forehead and burns it to show destruction of the word while attempting to rejuvenate Helen. Jane cannot fathom why her friend accepts this constant abuse; she fights for Helen since Helen will not.
 * //"The fury of which she was incapable and had been burning in my soul all day, and tears, hot and large, had continually been scalding my cheek; for the spectacle of her sad resignation gave me an intolerable pain at the heart" (88)//**

Jane is constantly searching for independence; she desires to flee from the tormenting Reeds. However, at Lowood, she still isn't happy and feels as if something is missing. Although she is content at her teaching position and realizes that Helen would scold her for ungrateful behavior, she still feels as if she has more to life. She desires liberty: not just freedom, but freedom to choose for herself.
 * //"And now I felt that it was not enough, I tired of the routine of eight years in one afternoon. I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer; it seemed scattered on the wind then faintly blowing.. . [f]or change, stimulus" (102).//**

Rochester is referring to a dark unknown secret that he harbors inside him. it is later revealed that his sin is his marriage to Bertha Mason. He expresses that fate wanted him to be a good man at first, but then his destiny changed abruptly, forcing him to lie in sin and remorse. Rochester is attempting to move on from Bertha; he wants ti forget her existence, but she continues to plague him. Rochester explains that living in the past, focusing on your mistakes, and dwelling on past regrets is the biggest mistake you can commit; it will lead you to waste the present and ruin your future. This statement helps explain why Rochester attempts to elope with Jane after the discovery of Bertha since he wants to let go of his haunting past.
 * //"Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; remorse is the poison of life" (159)//**

Jane is surprised by Rochester's selection of a bride at first; she thinks that he would prefer someone full of intellectual rigor instead of a shallow beauty. However, she realizes that Rochester and Blanche are simply products of their wealth and class systems. Although Blanche is cruel to Jane, Jane understands that Blanche has been twisted and conformed by her society. She doesn't believe that Blanche was born cruel, but she was taught to praise beauty and devalue education due to her wealthy status. Jane concedes her opinion, attempting to use logic to explain why Rochester cannot be with her.
 * //"It surprised me when I first discovered that such was his intention: I had thought a man unlikely to be influenced by motives so commonplace in his choice of a wife; but the longer I considered the position, education, etc., of the parties, the less I felt justified in judging and blaming either him or Miss Ingram for acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled into them, doubtless, from their childhood. All their class held these principles . . ." (217)//**

Jane confuses the meaning behind love and control throughout the novel, often seeing the two as synonyms. Jane has never experienced love before, until Rochester. His obsessive and passionate nature attempts to subjugate her into his little pet. His love is tainted by control and dominance, yet she cannot resist. Jane juxtaposes Rochester with God, echoing the reflection that Rochester is her entire world. She idolizes Rochester; she lives to serve him; she would stay by his side even if the world rejected him; she would commit blasphemy to her Christian religion if it meant worshiping him. However, this is dangerous and addicting behavior; Jane's logic is her only safety net to Rochester since her passion is overtaken by him.
 * //"My future husband was becoming my whole world; and more than the world: almost my hope of heaven. He stood between me and every thought of religion, as an eclipse intervenes between man and the broad sun. I could not, in those days, see God for His creature: of whom I had made an idol" (316)//**

Significance of Opening Scene:
Jane Eyre begins recalling her childhood, looking back on the complexity of her childhood to find the meaning and emotion behind it. Jane is completely isolated by her adopted family; she is emotionally tormented by her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and would rather choose to sit alone while watching the rainfall then be near her cousins. At age ten, she feels inferior and saddened by the isolation she experiences every day, unaware of love's power or force. She reads //Bewick's History of British Birds//, reflecting her current state. The first image shows a bird, isolated from the world, surrounded by realms of death and a frigid weather which mirrors her opinion os her life at Gateshead. The next image depicts a boat; waves are crashing into it, yet it will not sink. Although Jane is constantly tormented, she continues to linger in the world, holding on to hope and the strength from her character. She finds it necessary to hide from john Reed; he physically abuses her, yet the servants and his mother allows it. No one is willing to help or stick up for Jane. She feels like she is an oppressed slave because she is constantly being abused, hated, and mistreated, but no one will lend a finger to help a small, innocent girl.

Significance of Closing Scene:
Jane Eyre ends in a way that would please most Victorian Era readers. it end happily, allowing Rochester and Jane to live happily together with no mention of Bertha. Jane finally feels free and happy in the life she has created for herself. Before their marriage, Jane switched roles with Rochester, becoming the game-player and the one who held the power and control, yet they have found a harmonic balance. She ends the story on St. John, spreading his acts of valor and kindness by helping those in India (The White Man's Burden all over again). Jane desires to serve others, yet she knows she doesn't possess the strength and the intensity that St. John has. he is willing to die for others in order to help them not only discover God but to survive. Religious themes persist through Jane Eyre; she commends St. John for his divine work, praising him above herself and all others. St. John travels to fight against dangerous pathogens, like the ones that decimated the Lowood population. he travels to not only serve others but completely sacrifice himself in the Lord's name. he brings safety and comfort to those in England by helping those from England's colonies that are viewed as "savage" and "lesser". His sacrifice fore helping both those in England and in India is to receive God's glory- one of the gifts Jane reveres.

Describe the author's style:
Bronte blends poetic devices with an aura of Gothic elements to create a romantic version of the dark and decrepit. All of the characters symbolize different meanings, stereotypes, and concepts in the Victorian Era. For example, Blanche is beautiful on the inside yet she is also superficial and cruel. Bronte demonstrates the deceiving nature of looks, referring back to the idea that intellect and kindness are hat is important. Although someone is beautiful, it cannot fix their horrid nature. On the inside they are ugly; Jane is able to see through the eyes of people and into their souls. The intricate phrases, words, and sentence organization create a fluid and natural novel that echos the language of a poem. Through Bronte's precise diction, she establishes herself and the ideal she communicates throughout Jane Eyre like the struggles and stereotypes of women, the consequences of passion, and the hypocrisy in religious figures. Bronte is capable of making her sentences complex and lengthy while keeping it balanced and flowing.
 * precise, poetic, fluid and natural, Gothic, romantic**

=Characters:= ===Jane Eyre: narrator and main character of story, the themes and metaphors woven in this story occur through Jane's choices and beliefs/the entire story revolves around her, "rebel slave"(15), "half fairy, half imp"(18), "disturbed mind", "oppressed, suffocated"(20)=== __Mrs. Reed:__ Jane's adopted mother (aunt), she emotionally torments Jane which is why Jane believes she is an outsider and alone against the world, she also lies to Jane's uncle about her death or else the story would have been completely different __Georgiana__: Jane's spoiled and beautiful cousin, she represents the consequence of being obsessed with shallow aspects of character like beauty, she is too far in one extreme, "very plump", "fair as waxwork", languishing blue eyes"(263) __Eliza:__ Jane's intense and harsh cousin (Georgiana's sister); she represents the other extreme, both sisters are stereotypes of women in the Victorian Era, she is too harsh and rigid, ignoring all of life's pleasantries, believing that sin comes form pleasure, "sallow face, severe mien", "extreme plainness" __John Reed__: Jane's eldest cousin; he torments and abusing her, becoming a juxtaposition for St. John, he commits suicide after turning to drugs, drinking, and enjoying prostitutes, it shows the downfall of those who don't understand the concept of love, "dingy unwholesome skin", "heavy lineaments","large and stout"(12) __Ms. Abbot:__ a servant; she remarks that she could have pity for Jane if she was beautiful which begins Jane's opinion that if she was beautiful that she would be loved, not understanding that the people around her aren't worthy of her affection __Bessie:__ Jane's favorite maid; she is the only person in Jane's childhood that offers her comfort and slight affection which reflects that Jane thought "slight affection" meant kindness even though Bessie let Jane suffer by the hands of her cousins __Mr. Brocklehurst:__ the treasurer and operator of Lowood; Bronte satirizes him for being a hypocritical religious zealot, " he is little liked here; he has never taken steps to make himself liked" __Ms. Temple:__ Jane's favorite teacher; Miss Temple is the first to show true kindness to Jane (after Helen), she is both beautiful and kind, "she had stood me in the stead of mother, governess, and latterly, companion" __Mr. Mason__: Bertha's brother; he is the reason Rochester's secret is found out and he allowed his sister to be locked up in a room for 10 years __Mr. Rochester__: the master of Thornfield, Jane's love and eventual husband; he helps develop Jane's character, he urges her to express her passionate nature and commends her for expressing herself and her mind, he is temptation to Jane and almost leads her to commit a sin she wouldn't have been able to live with, "changeful and abrupt", "grim mouth", "neither tall nor graceful" __Mrs. Fairfax__: caretaker of Thornfield; she warns Jane of Rochester's games and tricks __Helen:__ Jane's first friend at Lowood, dies of tuberculosis, teaches Jane how to survive, Christ figure, "you dirty, disagreeable girl", "it would be your duty to bear it"(66), “You think too much of the love of human beings" __Adele__: Jane's student; she is neglected by Mr. Rochester, Jane is able to empathize with the little isolated girl without a mother or true father __Blanche Ingram__: possible bride of Mr. Rochester; Blanche is Jane's foil, she is superficial and horrid, Jane sees past her beauty to her rotten core, "like Diane", "noble bust, sloping shoulders, graceful neck"(200) __Bertha__: wife of Rochester and the "madwoman in the attic", Bertha is Jane's doppelganger and the possible outcome of Jane if she hadn't gone to Lowood (although Jane doesn't recognize this), she is punished for her sexual desires and passion which shows the sexism and subjugation toward women that existed in the Victorian Era, "fearful and ghastly", "discoloured face", lips were swelled and swollen', "vampyre!" __Grace Poole:__ caretaker of Bertha; Jane believes she is a witch without evidence, demonstrating the prejudice and unfairness women were treated it by both the men and other women in society __St. John:__ Jane's minister cousin who proposes to her; Jane is appalled by the idea that St. John wants to marry her without love and can't fathom marrying someone who she doesn't love, Jane has been "losing" her passion since Lowood, she has been taught that it is wicked and evil, she believes she wants to be rational and logical but after meeting the cold, calculating St. John, she realizes that it isn;t the life for her, he helps her complete her journey by turning back to Rochester as if its a sign from God

**Symbols:**

 * Birds:** freedom, the caged nature of Jane, objective perspective, liberation
 * Weather:** change based on Jane's mood; at Gateshead and Lowood the weather is dim, dark, and depressing, it changes based on her attitude of herself and her surroundings
 * Mirrors:** self reflection, pathways to the spirit world, reflections of Jane's current state and how her external surrounds impact her views
 * Windows:** something that holds/blocks Jane out from the world around her (the dismal atmosphere of Gateshead) and also something that opens and leads Jane to new paths (Lowood window)
 * Fire:** both a destructive and rejuvenating force, passion, primitive nature, instinct
 * The Veil:** Bertha destroys Jane's wedding veil in an attempt to warn her
 * Supernatural creatures (vampyre, imps, faeries,etc):** Jane sees her reflection as a spirit or imp because she was taught that she was wicked like these creatures; she sees herself as an outsider
 * Chestnut Tree:** the destruction of the chestnut tree foreshadows the impending doom of Rochester's and Jane's wedding ceremony
 * Red Room:** a defining moment in Jane's life, she is tied down by her femininity (garters), she is becoming a women and she doesn't feel ready, how society traps women
 * Fire and Ice:** Jane's passions which are attempted to be oppressed and squelched
 * Eyes:** windows to the soul, betray the character's morals and inner-self
 * Portraits/Paintings:** Jane visualizes her deepest feelings
 * Bertha Mason:** doppelganger of Jane, possible outcome of Jane's future, representation of how women were tortured and subjugated if they dared to feel and say the same as men did