"Jane is not such a weakling as you would make her. . ."(495)
Charlotte Bronte creates a theme of growth through the character of Jane. In the beginning of the novel, she is consider weak and unappreciative. However, over the course of her life she evolves into a strong woman and others definitely notice. She grows into an intellectual and also develops excellent art skills. From begining to end, Jane is a completely different person. The struggles that she faces transform her into the incredible person at the end.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Edwin Ransford
"In a days when we were gipsying,
A long time ago." (79)
Charlotte Bronte references Edwin Ransford in Jane Eyre. At the time this was a very popular song. This song may have been about reminiscing on "the good ole days". However, this is extremely ironic because Jane's childhood was not very pleasant. Between her poor relationship with her aunt and not having a true mother and father, it does not seem like a time she would want to reminisce on.
"Edwin Ransford. 1805-1876. John Bartlett, comp. 1919. Familiar Quotations, 10th ed." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more. Web. 02 Dec. 2009..
A long time ago." (79)
Charlotte Bronte references Edwin Ransford in Jane Eyre. At the time this was a very popular song. This song may have been about reminiscing on "the good ole days". However, this is extremely ironic because Jane's childhood was not very pleasant. Between her poor relationship with her aunt and not having a true mother and father, it does not seem like a time she would want to reminisce on.
"Edwin Ransford. 1805-1876. John Bartlett, comp. 1919. Familiar Quotations, 10th ed." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
Paradise Lost
"And really after a day or two of confusion worse confounded, it was delightful, by degrees, to invoke order from the chaos ourselves had made." (489)
Charlotte Bronte references Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost is a work of literature that shows up in many different novels> Paradise Lost is was written in the seventeenth century and still influences people today. It was also referenced in Heart of Darkness and Frankenstein.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_1/index.shtml
Charlotte Bronte references Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost is a work of literature that shows up in many different novels> Paradise Lost is was written in the seventeenth century and still influences people today. It was also referenced in Heart of Darkness and Frankenstein.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_1/index.shtml
Cultural Context
"Yes ma'am - but she looks like such a tinkler." (272)
A tinkler a.k.a. tinker is someone with a rough personality as well as appearance. Throughout the novel Charlotte Bronte sprinkles bits and pieces of cultural context whether its sayings and phrases from the time, or ideas that society may have had. Jane Eyre really sets the tone to describe the time period that the novel takes place.
"Define: tinker - Search." Google. Web. 02 Dec. 2009..
A tinkler a.k.a. tinker is someone with a rough personality as well as appearance. Throughout the novel Charlotte Bronte sprinkles bits and pieces of cultural context whether its sayings and phrases from the time, or ideas that society may have had. Jane Eyre really sets the tone to describe the time period that the novel takes place.
"Define: tinker - Search." Google. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Phrenology
"You must have become in some degree attached to the house, -- you, who have an eye for natural beauties, and a good deal of the organ of Adhesiveness?" (334)
Phrenology is referenced several times throughout the story. Phrenology was a theory based on that a person's personality could be based off of the shape of their skull. Phrenology influenced people of the nineteenth century - when this novel took place. Mentioning this theory, is merely just something that people of this time talked about. Although it is not familiar to us, people of this time were used to hearing about it.
"Phrenology -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 02 Dec. 2009..
Phrenology is referenced several times throughout the story. Phrenology was a theory based on that a person's personality could be based off of the shape of their skull. Phrenology influenced people of the nineteenth century - when this novel took place. Mentioning this theory, is merely just something that people of this time talked about. Although it is not familiar to us, people of this time were used to hearing about it.
"Phrenology -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
More to it than you would think
"Perhaps the less said on the subject the better, Mr. Brocklehurst." (90)
Charlotte Bronte concealed many obscure things within her characters that first time readers may not pick up on. Mr. Brocklehurst, one of the more important characters of the book, was based off of Reverend William Carus Wilson. This man was the founder of Cowan Bridge School, the school that Bronte and her sisters went to. The inspiration from a man considered to me very prestigious was a huge controversy back when the novel first came out. Rev. Wilson actually threatened to sue Charlotte Bronte because of how negative she portrayed him to be.
"Revealed: why Brocklehurst's inspiration threatened to sue Bront." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. Web. 01 Dec. 2009..
Charlotte Bronte concealed many obscure things within her characters that first time readers may not pick up on. Mr. Brocklehurst, one of the more important characters of the book, was based off of Reverend William Carus Wilson. This man was the founder of Cowan Bridge School, the school that Bronte and her sisters went to. The inspiration from a man considered to me very prestigious was a huge controversy back when the novel first came out. Rev. Wilson actually threatened to sue Charlotte Bronte because of how negative she portrayed him to be.
"Revealed: why Brocklehurst's inspiration threatened to sue Bront." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. Web. 01 Dec. 2009.
Mrs. Reed
"I am glad you are no relation of mine: I will never call you aunt again so long as I live." (95)
Mrs. Reed and Jane Eyre had an extremely poor relationship. Jane being an orphan, of course had no mother. Mrs. Reed and her husband helped raise the young girl. However, Mrs. Reed always resented Jane due to the actions of her husband. Mr. Reed loved Jane; some say even more than his own children! To Mrs. Reed this was unethical and she took her frustrations out on Jane. At age 10, Jane got sent away from the household she despised. Later on in life, she planned to come to terms with her once cruel aunt. But after all the years, her aunts resentment towards her did not disappear and neither did their poor relationship.
Mrs. Reed and Jane Eyre had an extremely poor relationship. Jane being an orphan, of course had no mother. Mrs. Reed and her husband helped raise the young girl. However, Mrs. Reed always resented Jane due to the actions of her husband. Mr. Reed loved Jane; some say even more than his own children! To Mrs. Reed this was unethical and she took her frustrations out on Jane. At age 10, Jane got sent away from the household she despised. Later on in life, she planned to come to terms with her once cruel aunt. But after all the years, her aunts resentment towards her did not disappear and neither did their poor relationship.
"Autumn"
"Where the Northern Ocean, in vast whirls
Boils round the naked, melancholy isles
Of farthest Thule; and the Atlantic surge
Pours in among the stormy Hebrides." (64)
This poem is a part of James Thomson's master piece, Seasons. This excerpt is a small fraction of the Autumn section. James was from Scotland and only lived to be 48 years old. Charlotte Bronte included this small excerpt perhaps because of the tone of loneliness. Jane is an individual with many thoughts. Compared to other women, she is not normal. Throughout Jane's life she faced those hardships as well as being an orphan forcing her to feel very alone at times.
"James Thomson (poet) -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 02 Dec. 2009..
Boils round the naked, melancholy isles
Of farthest Thule; and the Atlantic surge
Pours in among the stormy Hebrides." (64)
This poem is a part of James Thomson's master piece, Seasons. This excerpt is a small fraction of the Autumn section. James was from Scotland and only lived to be 48 years old. Charlotte Bronte included this small excerpt perhaps because of the tone of loneliness. Jane is an individual with many thoughts. Compared to other women, she is not normal. Throughout Jane's life she faced those hardships as well as being an orphan forcing her to feel very alone at times.
"James Thomson (poet) -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
Truth
"How dare I, Mrs. Reed? How dare I? Because it is the truth." (98)
Truth is a major theme that plays in all of the novels we have read. Charlotte Bronte exposes the truth through the mouth of Jane Eyre. The young but blunt Jane expresses her true feelings about her Aunt in chapter four. This being early on in the book as well as in Jane's life, foreshadows the strong woman that she will develop into. Although Mrs. Reed and Jane have an extremely poor relationship, readers may discover that Jane would not be the same woman without her.
Truth is a major theme that plays in all of the novels we have read. Charlotte Bronte exposes the truth through the mouth of Jane Eyre. The young but blunt Jane expresses her true feelings about her Aunt in chapter four. This being early on in the book as well as in Jane's life, foreshadows the strong woman that she will develop into. Although Mrs. Reed and Jane have an extremely poor relationship, readers may discover that Jane would not be the same woman without her.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Religion - with a twist of being true to yourself
"I like Revelations and the book of Daniel, and Genesis and Samuel, and a little bit of Exodus, and some parts of Kinds and Chronicles, and Job and Jonah." (92)
Charlotte Bronte creates Jane to be a character who is trying to live her own life but constantly being told to do otherwise in the process. Religion is a part of her life although it is much different then what religion is to others in the novel. Jane develops her own religion and spiritual thoughts based on little of what she hears and a lot of what she thinks up. In the novel it makes various references to St. John Rivers and Helen Burns who represent religion.
"Revelation 1 - Passage." BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages. Web. 29 Nov. 2009..
Charlotte Bronte creates Jane to be a character who is trying to live her own life but constantly being told to do otherwise in the process. Religion is a part of her life although it is much different then what religion is to others in the novel. Jane develops her own religion and spiritual thoughts based on little of what she hears and a lot of what she thinks up. In the novel it makes various references to St. John Rivers and Helen Burns who represent religion.
"Revelation 1 - Passage." BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
Bertha Mason
"Bertha Mason is mad; and all she came of a mad family: - idiots and maniacs through three generations!" (379)
Charlotte Bronte has Bertha Mason serve as a catalyst in Jane Eyre. Although she may be made, she is what truly sparks Jane's growth as a person. Bertha foreshadows what could happen to Jane if she decided to live a submissive lifestyle that was being pushed upon her. The reason behind Bertha's madness may be because of all that she holds inside and yearns to express aloud.
Charlotte Bronte has Bertha Mason serve as a catalyst in Jane Eyre. Although she may be made, she is what truly sparks Jane's growth as a person. Bertha foreshadows what could happen to Jane if she decided to live a submissive lifestyle that was being pushed upon her. The reason behind Bertha's madness may be because of all that she holds inside and yearns to express aloud.
Fire/Ice
"Man and horse were down; they had slipped on the sheet of ice which glazed the causeway." (181)
A key symbol in Jane Eyre is fire vs. ice. There are many ways to analyze this theme. Some say that ice stands for tradition while fire represents rebellion. Others say that fire is a symbol for vitality while ice stands for isolation.
Charlotte Bronte has Jane connected with fire. She has her own opinions, goes against others opinions and disagrees with society. Jane is a strong feminist stuck in a "mans world." She burns with passion for equality. Society, Mr. Brocklehurst and Edward Rochester represent ice. They are traditional and believe that women are the best when they are not speaking. Their "icy" ways try to cool Jane's "burning" thoughts. Although each element or belief is strong and powerful, everyone knows it is hard to contain a fire that is already out of control - meaning that as hard as the men try to make Jane a soft-spoken and submissive women, she has developed her own thoughts and stands by what she believes in.
Biterman, Aaron. "Ice and Fire in Jane Eyre." Web.
A key symbol in Jane Eyre is fire vs. ice. There are many ways to analyze this theme. Some say that ice stands for tradition while fire represents rebellion. Others say that fire is a symbol for vitality while ice stands for isolation.
Charlotte Bronte has Jane connected with fire. She has her own opinions, goes against others opinions and disagrees with society. Jane is a strong feminist stuck in a "mans world." She burns with passion for equality. Society, Mr. Brocklehurst and Edward Rochester represent ice. They are traditional and believe that women are the best when they are not speaking. Their "icy" ways try to cool Jane's "burning" thoughts. Although each element or belief is strong and powerful, everyone knows it is hard to contain a fire that is already out of control - meaning that as hard as the men try to make Jane a soft-spoken and submissive women, she has developed her own thoughts and stands by what she believes in.
Biterman, Aaron. "Ice and Fire in Jane Eyre." Web.
"en regle"
". . . I wished the result of my endeavours to be respectable, proper, en regle." (155)
En regle means "by the rule." In Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte has characters and the outside world trying to force Jane into a cookie cutter lifestyle. As a female in the early nineteenth century, she is expected to not to have her own opinion or ever to share with anyone how she is feeling. However, although Jane is considered a dependent women, she does have her own opinions and beliefs. She stands for many things that at this time were unheard of and frowned upon. Although Jane is expected to live life en regle she decides to fight for what she believes in.
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview, 1999. Print.
En regle means "by the rule." In Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte has characters and the outside world trying to force Jane into a cookie cutter lifestyle. As a female in the early nineteenth century, she is expected to not to have her own opinion or ever to share with anyone how she is feeling. However, although Jane is considered a dependent women, she does have her own opinions and beliefs. She stands for many things that at this time were unheard of and frowned upon. Although Jane is expected to live life en regle she decides to fight for what she believes in.
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview, 1999. Print.
Mr. Brocklehurst
"Mr. Brocklehurst, who, from his wealth and family connections, could not be overlooked, still retained the post of treasure. . ." (149)
Mr. Brocklehurst is an important character in Jane Eyre. He represents social class as well as anit-equality which is what Jane feels so strongly about. He is considered to be among the highest of the social classes and works to make sure that he keeps that image. Instead of working hard the old fashioned way, he steals from the school he works for to keep up with his "Luxurious" lifestyle. In the novel, Charlotte Bronte stresses the importance of social class at the time of this story.
Charlotte Bronte also stresses the theme of equality. Mr. "B" was one man who felt strongly that women were inferior to men. Jane fought with these men to overcome her unhappiness and achieve equality.
"Jane Eyre, Proto-Feminist vs. "The Third Person Man"" The Victorian Web: An Overview. Web. 29 Nov. 2009..
Mr. Brocklehurst is an important character in Jane Eyre. He represents social class as well as anit-equality which is what Jane feels so strongly about. He is considered to be among the highest of the social classes and works to make sure that he keeps that image. Instead of working hard the old fashioned way, he steals from the school he works for to keep up with his "Luxurious" lifestyle. In the novel, Charlotte Bronte stresses the importance of social class at the time of this story.
Charlotte Bronte also stresses the theme of equality. Mr. "B" was one man who felt strongly that women were inferior to men. Jane fought with these men to overcome her unhappiness and achieve equality.
"Jane Eyre, Proto-Feminist vs. "The Third Person Man"" The Victorian Web: An Overview. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.
Motherly Bonds
"Bessie and I conversed about old times an hour longer, and then she was obliged to leave me. . ." (159)
Jane was an orphaned child who had many mother figures throughout her life. One major character that Charlotte Bronte includes to play a huge role in Jane's life was servant Bessie. Bessie soothed her when she was upset and calmed her when she was angry. Jane had never known her real mother, and that is why her relationship with Bessie was so important. Other women that also share a motherly bond with Jane are Mary River, Helen Burns and Diana.
Jane was an orphaned child who had many mother figures throughout her life. One major character that Charlotte Bronte includes to play a huge role in Jane's life was servant Bessie. Bessie soothed her when she was upset and calmed her when she was angry. Jane had never known her real mother, and that is why her relationship with Bessie was so important. Other women that also share a motherly bond with Jane are Mary River, Helen Burns and Diana.
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