Thornfield era- meeting, setting and mystery

Chapter Summary

11. Introduction to life at Thornfield

12. Mystery man falls off horse

13. Jane meets Rochester- interrogation

14. Conversation with Rochester

15. Adele's connection to Rochester explained and FIRE

Themes

• kindness in unexpected places
• isolation
• foreign places, people and feelings
• ghosts, preternatural
• superiority and inferiority, classes and stations
• love; passionate, false, shallow, friendship

Characters

Jane

Jane is now an adult and her character is now quite different from how she was as a child. She is far more restrained. Almost overtly so to the modern reader. Jane's thoughts are just as passionate and colourful as before but this is no longer reflected in her behaviour. Instead Jane is plain, modest and humble. The perfect model of a Lowood student.

Mrs Fairfax

The housekeeper. Jane sees her as a kind old lady.More of a neccessary character for placing mystery and answering questions than anything else.

Adele

Jane's student. She brings in much energy into the book and is a catalyst for many of Jane and Rochesters conversations.

Mr Rochester

Mr Rochester is introduced as a humbled man. Jane pities him and offers assistance that Mr R has to accept. Jane even mentions that in another context she would have been afraid 'Had he been... i should not have dared to stand thus questioning him against his will, and offereing my services unasked.' He is described as stern, stubborn, unhandsome and has a tendency to interrogate, he seems a tad eccentric or not of the norm. None the less he at least seems to treat Jane fairly (for the times) and eventually affords Jane tenderness, especially after the fire.

Grace Poole

A character of mystery... ghostly associations...a rumoured drunk.

Motifs

• Fire (less in the language and more as a physical symbol- i think this is a symbol that janes emotions are being subdued. Only actual fire rouses her to action)
• Exotic physicalisations in Rochesters furniture.
• Ghosts and gothicism

Place

Thornfield- gothic in its descriptions, suggests inherent mystery. A haven for Jane, but more down to the people who reside within.

Narrative Voice

Jane is just as passionate in her language but is far more subdued in her actions, she no longer acts how she feels. She has become more analytical of situations and tends to go against her instincts. This is particularly evident when she is around Mr R, who is the only person who can excite her inbuilt eccentricities out.

Interesting Phrase

' it was a curious laugh; distinct, formal, mirthless. I stopped: the sound ceased...it passed off in a clamourous peal that seemed to wake an echo in every lonely chamber...' Grace Pooles laugh pg 107

' women are supposed to be very calm generally; but women feel just as men feel; they need....to that they ought to confine themselves...than custom has pronounced necessay for their sex.' feminist outpourings pg 109

'The man, the human being, broke the spell at once...' Supernatural humbleing pg 112 in man falls off horse chapter

'your language is enigmatical, sir: but though i am bewildered, i am certainly not afraid' pg 138 Jane on Rochester

'And was Mr Rochester ugly in my eyes? No, reader...'pg 146

' i tried again to sleep... i was chilled with fear' pg 147 fire chapter

'There was a demioniac laugh... My first impulse was to rise and fasten the bolt; my next, again to cry out ' who is there?'' pg 147 fire chapter

'baptized the couch... and by gods aid, succeeded in extinguishing the flames that were now devouring it' pg 148

Thoughts and reflections

The chapters thus far have dealt with janes childhood and how it has shaped her growing up. as a child she is passionate, wild, strong of head and knows what she knows. These traits, however, are not desirable and we see them being gradually beaten and indoctrinated out of her by the conformation needs of gateshead(which largely fails) and then the Lowood indoctrination which is far more sucessful (she takes example from those she loves and uses their lives as an example of how to lead her own. I think that the constant contrast we see in Bronte's writing between bleakness and exotic wilderness signify the contrast within Jane of conformity vs non-conformity. It shall be interesting to see how this is reflected in later chapters.

The Lowood Indoctrination...

Chapter Summary

5. Introduction to life at Lowood.

6. Jane meets the holy Helen

7. Mr Brocklehursts deadly visit

8. Nectar and ambrosia healings with Helen and Miss Temple

9. Helens death

10. Moving on

Themes

• Hypocrisy- highlighted by Mr Brocklehurst


• Religion-the contrasts of through Helen and Brocklehurst


• Growing up


• conforming vs non-conforming- a battle inside jane whether to conform for ease or be herslef

Characters

Jane

This section of the book sees many conflicting battles inside jane as she attmepts to discover how to lead her life and in which directions to put her efforts. At the start she is highly emotional and melodramatic but during this section of the novel we see her learning from her experiences and surroundings to tone down her emotions in order to make herself more believeable.

Helen

Helen is a character specific to this section and she is one of the main catalysts of Janes inner developement. Helen becomes Janes best friend and confidant about life and she reveers Helens views. The most notable characteristic of Helen is her religious nature. She lives by the bible and utterly believes that every harsh experience she experiences is for her own good and will help rid her of her faults.This is hard for jane to comprehend who, on several occassions, prevents Helen from carrying on her punishments. An interesting point to look at is Helens name. She has the last name Burns (it is, in fact, how we are introduced to her). I do not think that this was a name chosen by mere whim on Bronte's part. I believe that the religious aspect of her character is reflected through her name, symbolically she is like a holy fire through this part of Janes life which quickly dwindles and burns out until the final snuffing of her spirit. Also, when she is in Miss Temples company she is described as having the powers within her 'kindled'.

Miss Temple

Miss Temple is the first maternal figure of the book. Jane idolises her and this is reflected in the language used to describe her; all the words are holy or angelic. It is interesting that Bronte gives her both these characteristics and the name 'temple', clearly she is attempting to send a very clear message to the reader as to the virtues of Miss Temple.

Miss Scatcherd

As harsh and strict as her name suggests. More of a caricature than a 3D character.

Motifs

• Bland vs exotic continues...
• Fire (holy fire)
• Use of name

Place

Lowood Institution is the setting for these chapters. The bleakness of the accomodation is contrasted with the warmth of the friendship and hospitality inside. This is the opposite of Gateshead where there were many luxuries but no love. Jane learns through Lowood what her priorities in life are.

Narrative Voice

We see the general bleakness of mood lessen as Jane becomes happy in her environment. She becomes colourful more often.

Interesting Quotes

'Let the reader add...refined features...stately air and carriage...Miss Temple'- first description of Miss Temple pg 47

' I could see the title- it was 'Rasselas' a name that struck me as strange and consequently attractive' pg 49

'You say you have your faults...naturally neat, punctual and particular' Helens view on her faults and why Miss Scatchard treats her so pg 56

'She has been unkind to you... life appears to me too short to be spent nursing animosty, or registering wrongs' Helen's views on Mrs Reed and why she dislikes Janepg 58

'Naturally! Yes, but we are not to conform to nature' Mr B on Julias curling hairpg 64

'Helen Burns was not here. Nothing sustained me.' after Mr B's slanderpg 68

'Hush jane! you think too much of thel ove of human beings; you are too impulsive, too vehement' pg 69

'I would not now have exchanged Lowood with all its privations, for gateshead and its daily luxuries' pg 75

'I am very happy... i should have been continuously at fault.' helen on why she is not afraid of death pg 81

'Then' i cried, half desperate, 'Grant me at least a new servitude!'pg 85

'The refreshing meal...they woke kindled...her spirit seemed hastened to live...protracted existence' pg 73

Childhood misery and suppression with the Reeds

Chapter summaries 1-4

1. Janes world is introduced, the themes of the baren winter and the contrast of the colour and texture of the colour red is introduced


2. The Red Room


3. Illness and the apothecary Mr Lloyd


4. Mr Brocklehurst and interrogation

Themes

• Suppression and misery of Janes confinement at the hands of the Reeds


• The colourful wonder and texture of Janes imaginary world in books


• Willfullness/wildness vs bareness or suppression

Characters

Jane

So far we have been introduced to the main narrative voice of jane who we quickly ascertain is extremely intelligent for her age. She has had a tough childhood at the hands of the Reed family, but has grown up rather untamed. She thinks for herself and enjoys persuing the world with her vast imagination, having this fire kindled with the picture books from the Reed's library.

Bessie

Jane's nursemaid. Bessie is described affectionatley by jane and seems to be the closest thing to any maternity in jane's early life.

Mrs Reed

Mrs Reed appears to resent Jane living in her house, it is possible that jane reminds her of her late husband and disslikes a constant reminder of his final kindness towards his niece. She is a detestable character because of her flippant flowery criticisms of jane juxtaposed by her doting on her own children in a sickly sweet manner.

John Reed

Classic bully and aristocratic stereotype. Very spoilt by his mother.

Reed sisters

Eliza and Georgina look set to be spoilt socialites in their futures. They hold the stereotypical characteristics of the socialite.

Mr Lloyd

The apothecary who visits Jane when she is deemed ill from her encounter in the Red Room. A kind but shrewd character, he does not prejudge Jane based on what he hears from Mrs Reed.

Mr Brocklehurst

A harsh pillar of stone. Jane is unable to say anything right as he has already made up his mind about her due to his prior conversation with Mrs Reed. He is a formidable foe to Jane as he is of the same ilk as Mrs Reed.

Motifs

Recurring imagery of the contrast between the exotic texture of the colour red and the baren outside world of winter. This is mirrored by the contrast of wilderness and submission of the female spirit.

Narrative Voice

We see the world from the adult Jane's perspective. As a result we can see a contrast between her more subdued and logical outlook as an adult looking back as opposed to her wilful childhood. However, her emotions are shown through the connotations of the words used to describe events and places. Books and reading scenes are associated with exotic imagination, bright colours and excitement as opposed to the bleak winter of Gateshead and her detestable relations.

Reflections

Thus far jane has proved herself to be extrememly exceptional for her age, paticularly of the victorian era, as she is both wild and wilful where children of this time would ususally by convention be 'seen but not heard'. However, jane ignores these conventions to be herself. Another interesting point is the use of the imagery of both winter and the colour red. I shall look out to see if these particular images crop up again and what they signify overall.

Quotes

'leafless shrubbery... the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor excercise was now out of the question' pg1

'i sat cross legged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, i was shrined in double retirement.' pg2

'folds of scarlet drapery'pg2

'clear panes of glass, protecting but not seperating me from the drear november day.'pg2

'This room was chill....in spite of its grandeur' pg 14 red room

'broken reflections...' pg 14 red room

'all looked colder and darker in that visionary hollow than in reality... i returned to my stool' pg 14 red room

'i was oppressed, suffocated: endurance broke down- i uttered a wild, involuntary cry-...' pg 17 end of red room

'stony stranger..' with regards to Mr Brocklehurst pg 31

'He, for it was a man...' pg 31

'I must keep in good health and not die' pg 32 janes answer as to how to avoid hell

'Ere i had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with he strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, i ever felt..' pg 37 after confronting Mrs Reed

'First, i smiled to myslef and felt elate... chill of reaction' pg 37

'something of vengeance i had asted for the first time...as if i had been poisoned' pg 38