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
1 comment:
"the constant contrast we see in Bronte's writing between bleakness and exotic wilderness signify the contrast within Jane of conformity vs non-conformity." - I like this idea. Yes, please follow its devpt throughout the novel.
You are making some very perceptive comments, especially about fire imagery and the use of symbolic names.
So far you are really reflecting in depth on what you are reading. You are aware of Jane's devpt and how she is changing.
Good responses.
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