Sunday, November 30, 2008
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre is a dense, romantic, Gothic novel telling the story of young Jane Eyre, an orphan with a cruel aunt and cousins who eventually leaves for school and encounters many adventures. One of the first novels dealing with feminism, Jane Eyre provides readers a new point of view into the minds of women during the 19th century. 16 concordances for Jane Eyre follow.
Double Retirement
“I mounted into the window-seat: gathering up my feet, I sat crosslegged, like a Turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, I was shrined in double retirement” (2).
Early in the novel, Jane is shown as a solitary character, spending much of her time alone. In her aunt’s house, Jane discovers many places, such as this window-seat, that provide her with the seclusion that she wishes for, not only for happiness, but safety as well. For Jane, the window-seat symbolizes security, safety, and seclusion, important aspects of Jane’s life. Brontë uses this passage as an early characterization for Jane, showing not only how she is somewhat introverted, but also how she is intelligent enough, at such a young age, to know when to leave the presence of her aunt and cousins.
Early in the novel, Jane is shown as a solitary character, spending much of her time alone. In her aunt’s house, Jane discovers many places, such as this window-seat, that provide her with the seclusion that she wishes for, not only for happiness, but safety as well. For Jane, the window-seat symbolizes security, safety, and seclusion, important aspects of Jane’s life. Brontë uses this passage as an early characterization for Jane, showing not only how she is somewhat introverted, but also how she is intelligent enough, at such a young age, to know when to leave the presence of her aunt and cousins.
Photo Credit: http://www.yourspersonally.ie/images/windowseat1_b.jpg
Fields of Ice
“Nor could I pass unnoticed the suggestion of the bleak shores of Lapland, Siberia, Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Iceland, Greenland, with ‘the vast sweep of the Arctic Zone, and those forlorn regions of dreary space—that reservoir of frost and snow, where firm fields of ice, the accumulation of centuries of winters, glazed in Alpine heights above heights, surround the pole, and concentre the multiplied rigours of extreme cold.’ ” (2).
This passage foreshadows the traveling that Jane does throughout the novel. Though she does not travel to any of the places she names here, she does travel throughout her country for various reasons ranging from education to employment opportunities. Brontë also uses these lines to show Jane’s intelligence and desire to educate herself further. Jane says that she could not “pass unnoticed the suggestion of the bleak shores…” which exhibits her craving to know more and to increase her knowledge.
This passage foreshadows the traveling that Jane does throughout the novel. Though she does not travel to any of the places she names here, she does travel throughout her country for various reasons ranging from education to employment opportunities. Brontë also uses these lines to show Jane’s intelligence and desire to educate herself further. Jane says that she could not “pass unnoticed the suggestion of the bleak shores…” which exhibits her craving to know more and to increase her knowledge.
Love and Adventure
“Bessie…fed our eager attention with passages of love and adventure taken from old fairy tales and older ballads; or (as at a later period I discovered) from the pages of Pamela, and Henry, Earl of Moreland” (3).
Here, Jane shows her age more clearly and accurately. Before this, it is difficult to believe that Jane is a child around the age of ten. Her dialect and diction suggest an older, more mature Jane, not the ten-year-old Jane that she is at the beginning of the novel. Brontë employs a literary device, allusion, to depict Jane’s age. Brontë alludes to two novels, Pamela, and Henry, Earl of Moreland, both romantic novels that a girl of Jane’s age would find enthralling during the 19th century.
Here, Jane shows her age more clearly and accurately. Before this, it is difficult to believe that Jane is a child around the age of ten. Her dialect and diction suggest an older, more mature Jane, not the ten-year-old Jane that she is at the beginning of the novel. Brontë employs a literary device, allusion, to depict Jane’s age. Brontë alludes to two novels, Pamela, and Henry, Earl of Moreland, both romantic novels that a girl of Jane’s age would find enthralling during the 19th century.
Madame Mope
“ ‘Boh! Madame Mope!’ cried the voice of John Reed; then he paused: he found the room apparently empty” (3).
Brontë uses an unusual nickname to characterize Jane during her childhood. Jane’s terrorizing cousin, John, calls Jane “Madame Mope” because of her tendency to sulk around the house. Instead of using direct characterization to show Jane’s depression and specifically saying that Jane is depressed, Brontë uses John’s nickname for Jane, “Madam Mope” to show that Jane is a miserable child.
Brontë uses an unusual nickname to characterize Jane during her childhood. Jane’s terrorizing cousin, John, calls Jane “Madame Mope” because of her tendency to sulk around the house. Instead of using direct characterization to show Jane’s depression and specifically saying that Jane is depressed, Brontë uses John’s nickname for Jane, “Madam Mope” to show that Jane is a miserable child.
Social Contrast
“He gorged himself habitually at table, which made him bilious, and gave him a dim and bleared eye with flabby cheeks. He ought now to have been at school; but his mamma had taken him home for a month or two, ‘on account of his delicate health.’ Mr. Miles, the master, affirmed that he would do very well if he had fewer cakes and sweetmeats sent him from home; but the mother’s heart turned from an opinion so harsh, and inclined rather to the more refined idea that John’s sallowness was owing to overapplication, and, perhaps, to pining after home” (4).
This passage shows the difference between the two social classes inhabiting Mrs. Reed’s home. The upper class, in which Mrs. Reed and her children live, believes in extravagance and affluence, while the lower class, which Jane and the servants populate, do not know what it is like to live with such luxuries. Jane comments on the treatment Mrs. Reed gives her son John with a note of disapproval in her voice. Brontë uses Jane’s commentary to contrast the two different social castes and to show her own disapproval of the upper class’s behaviors.
This passage shows the difference between the two social classes inhabiting Mrs. Reed’s home. The upper class, in which Mrs. Reed and her children live, believes in extravagance and affluence, while the lower class, which Jane and the servants populate, do not know what it is like to live with such luxuries. Jane comments on the treatment Mrs. Reed gives her son John with a note of disapproval in her voice. Brontë uses Jane’s commentary to contrast the two different social castes and to show her own disapproval of the upper class’s behaviors.
Roman Slave-Driver
“ ‘You are like a murderer—you are like a slave-driver—you are like the Roman emperors!’ ” (5).
Jane compares her cousin John to the Roman emperors, who were known for their tyranny and cruelty. Nero and Caligula were two Roman emperors that Jane read about in “Goldsmith’s History of Rome” (5). Jane’s interpretations of the two emperors deemed them slave-drivers and tyrants in Jane’s opinion, and she sees similarities between her John and the emperors, which she expressed here. Brontë includes this comparison to the Roman emperors to give her audience a better understanding of John’s behavior. Although the reference to Roman emperors is now outdated, at the time Brontë published Jane Eyre, Roman emperors had not been gone for long, thus making the reference useful.
Jane compares her cousin John to the Roman emperors, who were known for their tyranny and cruelty. Nero and Caligula were two Roman emperors that Jane read about in “Goldsmith’s History of Rome” (5). Jane’s interpretations of the two emperors deemed them slave-drivers and tyrants in Jane’s opinion, and she sees similarities between her John and the emperors, which she expressed here. Brontë includes this comparison to the Roman emperors to give her audience a better understanding of John’s behavior. Although the reference to Roman emperors is now outdated, at the time Brontë published Jane Eyre, Roman emperors had not been gone for long, thus making the reference useful.
Strengthened Resistance
“I resisted all the way: a new thing for me, and a circumstance which greatly strengthened the bad opinion Bessie and Miss Abbot were disposed to entertain of me” (6).
One theme of Jane Eyre is resistance, which is clearly shown for the first time in this line. Here, Jane is resistant to force; she does not want to be locked up in the red-room, so she fights the force of Bessie and Miss Abbot opposing her. Later in the novel, Jane resists conformity, change, and divulgence, but her earliest resistances are against authority.
One theme of Jane Eyre is resistance, which is clearly shown for the first time in this line. Here, Jane is resistant to force; she does not want to be locked up in the red-room, so she fights the force of Bessie and Miss Abbot opposing her. Later in the novel, Jane resists conformity, change, and divulgence, but her earliest resistances are against authority.
Chimney Prayers
“Say your prayers, Miss Eyre, when you are by yourself; for if you don’t repent, something bad might be permitted to come down the chimney and fetch you away” (8).
During the 19th century and previous, it was believed that evil spirits would enter a house through the chimney to bother and sometimes harm the residents of the house. Several countering methods were devised to deal with these intrusions, and one of those methods was prayer. By praying and repenting for one’s sins, evil spirits were not allowed to harm the occupants of the house. Brontë incorporates the supernatural to give the novel an added layer of meaning and to make later use of the supernatural more believable.
During the 19th century and previous, it was believed that evil spirits would enter a house through the chimney to bother and sometimes harm the residents of the house. Several countering methods were devised to deal with these intrusions, and one of those methods was prayer. By praying and repenting for one’s sins, evil spirits were not allowed to harm the occupants of the house. Brontë incorporates the supernatural to give the novel an added layer of meaning and to make later use of the supernatural more believable.
Snowy Marseilles
“Out of these deep surrounding shades rose high, and glared white, the piled-up mattresses and pillows of the bed, spread with a snowy Marseilles counterpane.” (8).
Marseilles is a major port in France situated on the Mediterranean Sea. Marseilles was where the popular Marseilles counterpanes, white bedspreads with intricate stitching, were produced in the 19th century. During the 19th century, Marseilles counterpanes were popular additions to bedrooms and symbolized wealth and prosperity. Brontë shows the Reeds’ wealth by placing the “snowy Marseilles counterpane” on the last bed Mr. Reed occupied. If the Reeds are able to afford a Marseilles counterpane for every bed, then they would not need to place this one in a room that does not have one.
Marseilles is a major port in France situated on the Mediterranean Sea. Marseilles was where the popular Marseilles counterpanes, white bedspreads with intricate stitching, were produced in the 19th century. During the 19th century, Marseilles counterpanes were popular additions to bedrooms and symbolized wealth and prosperity. Brontë shows the Reeds’ wealth by placing the “snowy Marseilles counterpane” on the last bed Mr. Reed occupied. If the Reeds are able to afford a Marseilles counterpane for every bed, then they would not need to place this one in a room that does not have one.
Works Cited: "Quilting Stitched or Woven." Old and Interesting. 13 June 2007. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.oldandinteresting.com/marseilles-quilts-marcella.aspx
Punish and Avenge
“I began to recall what I had heard of dead men, troubled in their graves by the violation of their last wishes, revisiting the earth to punish the perjured and avenge the oppressed” (12).
Brontë again brings in the supernatural when Jane is locked in the bedroom that her uncle died in. Jane hopes and believes that her uncle’s spirit may come and avenge his troubled niece’s woes. During the era that Jane Eyre takes place, many people strongly believed in troubled spirits staying on earth until revenge is obtained. By bringing the supernatural into her novel, Brontë establishes a surreal setting that appeals to readers who believe in ghosts and spirits.
Brontë again brings in the supernatural when Jane is locked in the bedroom that her uncle died in. Jane hopes and believes that her uncle’s spirit may come and avenge his troubled niece’s woes. During the era that Jane Eyre takes place, many people strongly believed in troubled spirits staying on earth until revenge is obtained. By bringing the supernatural into her novel, Brontë establishes a surreal setting that appeals to readers who believe in ghosts and spirits.
Apothecary vs. Physician
“I scrutinized the face of the gentleman: I knew him; it was Mr. Lloyd, an apothecary, sometimes called in by Mrs. Reed when the servants were ailing: for herself and the children, she employed a physician” (14).
During the 19th century, an apothecary’s role was similar to a physician’s, but they did not receive the same training and education that a physician did. The first apothecaries simply distributed drugs to physicians, an act now practiced by pharmacists. Eventually, apothecaries began giving medical advice to patients who were unable to afford a physician. Brontë again contrasts the two social classes living in the home of Mrs. Reed. For the lesser servants and Jane, she employs an apothecary who is unable to provide the same level of service and care as a physician, yet for herself and her children, she employs a physician, which shows that she cares more about her family than her servants.
During the 19th century, an apothecary’s role was similar to a physician’s, but they did not receive the same training and education that a physician did. The first apothecaries simply distributed drugs to physicians, an act now practiced by pharmacists. Eventually, apothecaries began giving medical advice to patients who were unable to afford a physician. Brontë again contrasts the two social classes living in the home of Mrs. Reed. For the lesser servants and Jane, she employs an apothecary who is unable to provide the same level of service and care as a physician, yet for herself and her children, she employs a physician, which shows that she cares more about her family than her servants.
Works Cited: "Apothecary." Nation Master. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/apothecary
Bird of Admiration
“Bessie had been down into the kitchen, and she brought up with her a tart on a certain brightly painted china plate, whose bird of paradise, nestling in a wreath of convolvuli and rosebuds, had been wont to stir in me a most enthusiastic sense of admiration” (16).
Bird of paradise is a tropical bird found in New Guinea and surrounding isles. It is also a flower native to South America named for its resemblance to the bird. Jane’s description of the plate does not make it clear whether it is the bird or the flower that decorates the plate, but her affection for birds expressed earlier in the novel makes the bird more likely. Her adoration for an out of place bird trapped on a plate shows her feelings for her present surroundings. Brontë shows Jane’s desire to be content in her surroundings; the bird is pleased to be wrapped “in a wreath of convolvuli and rosebuds” and Jane wishes to feel the same.
Bird of paradise is a tropical bird found in New Guinea and surrounding isles. It is also a flower native to South America named for its resemblance to the bird. Jane’s description of the plate does not make it clear whether it is the bird or the flower that decorates the plate, but her affection for birds expressed earlier in the novel makes the bird more likely. Her adoration for an out of place bird trapped on a plate shows her feelings for her present surroundings. Brontë shows Jane’s desire to be content in her surroundings; the bird is pleased to be wrapped “in a wreath of convolvuli and rosebuds” and Jane wishes to feel the same.
Works Cited:
Park-Brown, Sydney G. "Bird-of-Paradise." EDIS. University of Florida IFAS Extension. 30 Nov. 2008 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg106.
"Bird of Paradise." How Stuff Works. 22 Apr. 2008. 30 Nov. 2008 http://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/bird-of-paradise-info.htm
Infantine Fawkes
“Abbot, I think, gave me credit for being a sort of infantine Guy Fawkes” (22).
Guy Fawkes was the first member in a group of conspirators caught having planted gunpowder in a cellar room under Parliament. Fawkes was extremely xenophobic and claimed that he wanted to “blow the Scotsman present back to Scotland” (Herber). Abbot compares Jane to Guy Fawkes because both were believed to constantly scheme up plots, though there is no proof that either ever did. Brontë uses a real person that was well known during the 19th century to show how Jane’s acquaintances feel about her. It also shows that Jane is intelligent if she knows about a man that died 200 years before her birth and understands what he is infamous for.
Guy Fawkes was the first member in a group of conspirators caught having planted gunpowder in a cellar room under Parliament. Fawkes was extremely xenophobic and claimed that he wanted to “blow the Scotsman present back to Scotland” (Herber). Abbot compares Jane to Guy Fawkes because both were believed to constantly scheme up plots, though there is no proof that either ever did. Brontë uses a real person that was well known during the 19th century to show how Jane’s acquaintances feel about her. It also shows that Jane is intelligent if she knows about a man that died 200 years before her birth and understands what he is infamous for.
Works Cited: Herber, David. "Guy Fawkes: A Biography." Britannia History. Britannia. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.britannia.com/history/g-fawkes.html
Liars in the Lake
“ ‘Deceit is, indeed, a sad fault in a child,’ said Mr. Brocklehurst; ‘it is akin to falsehood and all liars will have their portion in the lake burning with fire and brimstone’ ” (31).
Brontë references the biblical lake of fire and brimstone where those who have committed wicked crimes are sent after death. This is meant to scare Jane to keep her from lying, but it also adds to the theme of religion that is constantly present throughout the novel. Religion was an important concept during the 19th century, and Brontë shows this with her allusions to the Bible and other religious works.
Brontë references the biblical lake of fire and brimstone where those who have committed wicked crimes are sent after death. This is meant to scare Jane to keep her from lying, but it also adds to the theme of religion that is constantly present throughout the novel. Religion was an important concept during the 19th century, and Brontë shows this with her allusions to the Bible and other religious works.
Works Cited: Eby, J. Preston. "The Lake of Fire." Freedom in Messiah. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.freedominmessiah.com/lake_of_fire.html
Babel of Tongues
“Discipline prevailed: in five minutes the confused throng was resolved into order, and comparative silence quelled the Babel clamour of tongues” (45).
Again, Brontë references the Bible, this time with a story from Genesis. The Tower of Babel was a tower to Heaven built by men who spoke the same language. God interfered with the building of the tower by giving the men different languages, inhibiting their ability to understand each other, and scattering them throughout the Earth. Brontë compares the school full of young girls to the Tower of Babel to show how varying the girls are and how difficult it is to quell the uproar.
Again, Brontë references the Bible, this time with a story from Genesis. The Tower of Babel was a tower to Heaven built by men who spoke the same language. God interfered with the building of the tower by giving the men different languages, inhibiting their ability to understand each other, and scattering them throughout the Earth. Brontë compares the school full of young girls to the Tower of Babel to show how varying the girls are and how difficult it is to quell the uproar.
Works Cited:
Dolphin, Lambert. "The Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Languages." 16 Apr. 2000. 30 Nov. 2008 http://ldolphin.org/babel.html
Maas, Anthony. "Tower of Babel." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15005b.htm.
Photo Credit: http://ldolphin.org/babel.html
Highlander's Frock
“with little pockets of Holland (shaped something like a Highlander’s purse) tied in front of their frocks” (45).
A Highlander was a Scottish soldier; his purse was a small bag tied to a belt that held small treasures and valuables. The more affluent soldiers decorated their purses with silver tops and tassels to show their wealth. Brontë compares the pockets of the girls’ frocks to a Highlander’s purse to show that they do not have much personal property at the school for orphans. Jane had never been around orphans other than herself, and she is startled to see dozens of girls all dressed the same.
A Highlander was a Scottish soldier; his purse was a small bag tied to a belt that held small treasures and valuables. The more affluent soldiers decorated their purses with silver tops and tassels to show their wealth. Brontë compares the pockets of the girls’ frocks to a Highlander’s purse to show that they do not have much personal property at the school for orphans. Jane had never been around orphans other than herself, and she is startled to see dozens of girls all dressed the same.
Works Cited: "Highland Dress For Men." Scottish Tartans Authority. Scottish Tartans Authority. 30 Nov. 2008 http://www.tartansauthority.com/web/site/highland_dress/highland_dress.asp
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