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Jane Eyre (Characters in Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre
• She is strong willed…
Jane Eyre
Settings in Jane Eyre
The Weather
There is a lot of pathetic fallacy used in Jane Eyre. This mirrors Jane's emotions in the first scenes, at Lowood, Gateshead, Thornfield and Ferndean Manor. She is most comfortable at the last three where the weather is more pleasant.
Surroundings
Houses and possessions add extra information about characters. The Rivers are not wealthy but their house is clean which Jane approves of. Whereas she does not like Gateshead or Thornfield as much because they represent wealth more.
Gothic
Bronte was influenced by a lot of gothic work, as Thornfield is very gloomy and almost haunting and quite threatening.
Context in Jane Eyre
Marriage and Money
At the time Jane Eyre was written women would have little independence. They would have been expected to learn skillz that would have helped around the house so that they would be more appealing towards potential suiters. Marriage would have been seen as a way to make financial gain and grow the family fortune. A good example of this is Blanche Ingram who is a typical women of this class lookin for a suiter like Mr Rochester but is disappointed when she hears he may have less wealth than originally thought.
Governesses
They were a staple of those times representing wealth. As there was no state education and few local schools. Some were also run by religious leaders like St John who runs a charity school. Men would be sent to boarding school and women would be educated by a governess. Governesses were often middle class as they would be educated but have no dowry for marriage.
Religion
In the 19th century England was a Christian country and this affected lots of daily life. Three characters are introduce to whom religion is very important. Jane eventually moves away from all of these in order to find a happy Christian life.
Themes in Jane Eyre
Love and Marriage
Jane Eyre is essentially a love story as the main focus is the relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester. They are suited for each other but are separated so that they can have some individual character development. Jane needs to become Rochester's equal in independence and maturity. Rochester commits a selfless act to show that he was wrong. Ironically Rochester is a better person without his sight and hand.
Religion
Jane has strong religious beliefs and follows a moral code: putting others before herself, valuing character over appearance, working hard to deserve god opinion of others. She never changes her way even though she meets many others with their own code: Helen Burns who never complains, Mr Brocklehurst who uses it to justify cruelty, Eliza Reed who become a nun and St John Rivers who is on a quest to give his life to God.
Female Independence
Jan is often alone and has to create her own path she had limited options for making a living as she was not born to a wealthy family. The only things she could do was uses her level of education to get a job as her parents were not rich so marriage would not have been a big enough financial gain. There are also several other strong female characters introduced. Miss Temple, Diana and Mary Rivers are all people who Jane looks up to, they all mary for love and are often not treated as well as they should be.
Social status
Jane knows that she associates her self with other people who would be considered of a higher class than her. She sees little value in wealth and instead values earning respect. Societal conventions were more strictly followed in her time. Her mother married someone who was considered a lower class and was intern cast out by her family.
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Characters in Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre
• She is strong willed even as a child, and will assert herself when she is right. 'How dare I? Because it is the truth.'
• She is independent and is confident of her own views. 'I Care for myself.'
• She trusts her instincts. Rushes back to Thornfield.
•She has strong moral principles. 'My spirit... is willing to do what is right.'
Mr Rochester
• He is fascinated by Jane from the start. 'he searched my face'
• His past and present circumstances are heavy to bear. 'he has painful thoughts'
• He is haunted by his past of marring Bertha, but still wishes to marry Jane. 'I know my Maker sanctions what I do.'
• He tries to save Bertha despite the misery she has caused. 'He wouldn't leave the house till everyone was out before him.'
Bertha Rochester
• Her presence is felt the moment Jane enters Thornfield. 'It was a curious laugh - distinct, formal, mirthless.'
• She knows what is going on at Thornfield. Sets fire to the beds.
• She is violent and does not speak.
St John Rivers
• He arranges for Jane to become a teacher at a local school.
• He is in love with Rosamund Oliver but thinks she will not be a good missionary's wife.
• He proposes to Jane twice.
• He sends a letter to Jane telling her he is dying but is happy.
Mrs Reed
• She is harsh and cruel to Jane.
• She arranges for her to be taken to Lowood school.
• She has a stroke because of family disgrace and her son being in financial ruin.
• When she is dying she tells Jane that her uncle is still alive.
Helen Burns
• She shows kindness towards Jane.
• She explains her Christian beliefs.
• She becomes ill and dies in the school.
• Jane builds a grave for her 15 years later.
Miss Temple
• She defends students against Mr Brocklehurst.
• She laughs at Mr Brocklehurst wanting the girls hair cut.
• She befriends Helen and Jane.
• She marries and leaves Lowood.
Mr Brocklehurst
• He is invited to Gateshead by Mrs Reed.
• He visits the school with his spoiled daughters.
• He says Jane is a liar and tells her to stand on a stool all day as punishment.
Mrs Fairfax
• She is kind to Jane when she arrives at Thornfield.
• She tells Jane about Rochester's troubled past.
• She is concerned about Jane's relationship with Rochester.
• She is sent away from Thornfield with a generous pension.
Grace Poole
• She is used as an excuse for the noises Jane hears.
• She drinks alcohol which allows Bertha to escape from her room at night.
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Blanche Ingram
• Shows herself being accomplished and beautiful.
• Shows her arrogance towards Jane through Adele.
• She is tricked by Rochester into thinking that he has little money, so doesn't want to marry him.
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