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