Jane Eyre Practice Essay

Jane Eyre practice Essay

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is an autobiography of Jane herself, as she is followed through her troubled childhood as an orphan, and her challenging life as a young woman. It approaches the themes of religion, social class, gender relations, love and power, whilst using a vast range of techniques to emphasise these. This timeless novel speaks to deep human urges and fears, using the conventions of Gothic literature to chart the mind's recesses. The detailed exploration of a strong female character's consciousness has made readers in recent decades consider Jane Eyre as an influential feminist text.

Jane Eyre has a constant reference to elements of the Gothic Literature through supernatural events, eerie settings and suspicious people. The Gothic elemnt emerges right at th ebginnign of the book with the introduction of the Red room at Gateshead. This is a room in which Janes late uncle passed away and it has held an eerie significance ever since. Jane is sent there by her Aunt as a punichment for dosiobdeience. Jan recalls "This room was chillÐ'...Ð'...it was silentÐ'.....solemn". This immediately gives the readera strong imagery of a cold dark room. The mood of this situation is frightening which Bronte has also used to emphasies the idea of the Gothic Literature. Janes narration draws the reader to feel a if they are there right at that moment. This moment ties in the themes of the supernatural as well as social class as Jane was treating unfairly by her aunt as she was of a lower status in the hirachy to her prestige family.

Jane's strong character, is evident throughout the novel. Growing up without parental figures, Jane struggles ot understand obedience, punishment and the consideration of those around her. One such incident which demonstrated this is comes during her first days at Lowood School when her friend Helen is punished. Shocked at Helens little resilience she says "But I feel like this Helen: I must dislike those who,whatever I do please them, persist in disliking me. I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved." It is evident here that Bronte's technique of first person narration puts the reader into context of the situation at that momeny. This is a very effective technique as well as the use of the onte of Jane's angry voice. It si through contrast of Helen and Jane that Bronte portrays the fact that Many adults in the novel dislike Jane because she is an outspoken individual. She is a non-conformist and goes against the grain of the typical female child of the Victorian era. This brings out the themes of power whereby there was a strong distinction between the role of the adult and the child.

Janes independacne drives her to make many huge decisions in her life throughout Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Marsh End and finally Ferndean. A very important decision Jane has to make comes during her eriod at Thornfield. Rochester is in love with Jane and eventually, much to Janes schock and unexpectance, proposes to her. Being in love with Rochester Jane wants to expect however finds herself in dibelievance saying "Are you in earnest? Ð'- Do you truly love me? Ð'- Do you sincerely wish me to be your wife?" This is evident of