Jane Eyre
CONTEXT & SETTING
The Weather
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Setting is vital to plot and action and helps to understand character and scene
Numerous examples of climatic conditions intensifying mood: PATHETIC FALLACY – A WAY OF
EMPHASIZING MOOD BY LINKING IT TO THE SURROUNDING WORLD;
The bleak view from the window in the opening scene reinforces the idea of Jane’s unhappiness,
“ a scene of wet lawn and storm-beat shrub”, with ceaseless rain sweeping away wildly before a
long and lamentable blast”
The freezing conditions at Lowood add to the misery there in the same way that the storm in
the Thornfield orchard on the night of Rochesters’s proposal gives a feeling of foreboding
Thornfield is vaguely threatening with its somber rooms hung with tapestry, its strange noises
and mysterious secrets, and fits into this genre, “I lingered in the long passage…narrow, low and
dim, with only one little window at the far end…like a corridor in some castle”
Was very much influenced by writers of the GOTHIC – with its melodrama, haunted and gloomy
castles and innocent heroines
Social Status
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Social status very important in the 19th c
Class divisions were far more fixed and pronounced than they are today
Jane is very conscious, that socially, she is inferior to many of those with whom she associates
The idea that high social status does mean necessarily mean goodness
Surroundings
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Houses and possessions are used to add information about characters
The Rivers are not wealthy and yet Jane approves of their home because is typifies the values of
cleanliness and common sense, “The parlor was rather a small room, very plainly furnished; yet
comfortable, because clean and neat.” She was much more at home in this kind of environment
than at the grand houses of Gateshead or Thornfield, and it is logical that she and Rochester
should settle at Ferndean Manor
Women’s Status
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Victorian period – women had inferior status to men
Marriage seen as only desirable goal
Girls such as Jane only were able to use their education
Her romantic, passionate nature would never settle for a marriage of convenience
Religion
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Religious ideas and images are referred to frequently and are integral to the novel
Then it was more a part of everyone’s day to day life
Near everyone went to church said prayers at bedtime and tudied the Bible
Jane is extremely religious and comes across several characters who are also governed by their
religious beliefs
Chapters 1-5
Chapter 1:
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Jane E is 10 yrs old
Lives in Gateshead with her aunt and three cousins, John, Eliza and Georgina
Discover she is unhappy
Her sense of loneliness and isolation is evident in the way she hides herself behind thick curtains
in a deserted room, ostracized by her aunt and cousins
When she is discovered by her cousin John, he is cruel and abusive to her
Her resulting anger and refusal to be dominated are severely punished – she is carried to her red
room
Apparent that she has a strong personality and is beginning to question the behavior and
attitudes of those around her
She resugses to be dominated by her elder cousin and stands up to his cruelty
Her independence and strength of character is shown in her well-defined opinions
The weather outside is cold, wet and miserable “near a scne of wet lawn..” – there is pathetic
fallacy in the reflection of Jane’s situation in the miserable weather; the gloomy pictures in the
book fascinate her as they also mirror her situation
Chapter 2
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Shows how unloved she is
Afraid of the red room
Accepts that she is unwanted and unloved
As she calms down she becomes more and more aware and afraid of her surroundings; light fails
and she is convinced that the room is haunted and screams for help; passes out from terror
Jane’s personality becomes clearer – she is able to look at her situation and judge it honesly; she
realizes that it is not her fault that she is beign punished – she sees their cruelty, “unjust-unjust”
According to Jane, she is clearly a cruel woman; however even Jane admits that Mrs Reed
sincerely believes that Jane is artful and wicked and is therefore a just punishment
Chapter 3
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See how Jane is starved for love from her reaction to Mr. Lloyd
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Adult narrator Jane recognizes the shrewdness in Mr. Lloyd that the child does not understand;
he is trying to help her situation by suggesting school
The theme of being judged and consequently rewarded or punished in life because of physical
appearances appears to be addressed in this chapter
Jane is very aware of her weak and unappealing features and how unfav she is compared to
Miss G; rather than accepting this, there is an implicit sense of her eracting very strongly to the
unfairness of such a surface judgement
Chapter 4
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Excluded from all Christmas celebrations
Her sense of her own strength becomes more and more evident, however – she refuses to be
bullied by John any more and hits him hard when he once again attempts to e cruel to her;
when her aunt scolds her for this, she argues back
The shadowy spectre of Mr. Brockelhurst appears – warden of Lowood charity school
The man’s questioning of Jane reveals him to be harsh and cruel guided by religious fervor –
allusions to Red Riding Hood
Mocking religious sentiments with her ready made answers
Jane and Mrs R have their final terrible encounter. J’s emotional but honest account of her
treatment shocks and undermines her aunt’s authority
Power balance has finally shifted because jane presents the truth fairly and honestly; Jane’s
character upholds the value of truth and honesty in all things which is to be a driving theme
Childish ref to Red Riding hood sows that Jane has instinctively made B both a figure of threat
and mockery; he is diminished in our eyes by this reaction from her
Jane’s need for and belief in love is highlighted by the doll she loves despite its shortcomings –
it’s a reflection of herself – pitiful, but still worth attention and care
There is a strong sense of Jane’s developing integrity, her opinions are firmer and more readily
expressed; Bessie’s need for reassurance from Jane highlights this shift in their relationship
Chapter 5
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First of Jane’s solitary journeys – journeys which signpost every change in her life
Her first day is spent in observation – one of Jane’s most familiar occupations
Sees a kindred spirit in Helen Burns
A character’s response to those around them is often a good indicator of their won
personality – J is instantly drawn to Miss Temple and Helen Burns, and in their own ways
have profound effects on her life
Miss T is to become a role model for Jane upholding the values of strength, observance of
duty and above all truth to oneself which Jane sees in herself
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Helen, interestingly, troubles Jane although she admires her intensely; she immediately
recognizes someone with strong opinions and personal integrity and is confused by the
seeming obedience to orders and duty even if misplaced
Chapter 6
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reinforces the cruelty of the regime at Lowood, again strengthened by the depiction of harsh
weather conditions; girls are given very little to eat, suffer cold temps, work long hours and have
little conversation with each other – PATHETIC FALLAC Y
Jane gets to know Helen Burns better – H.B. bears with fortitude any cruelty and punishment
without complaint
Jane struggles with this idea, believing that one should stand up to oppression and undeserved
cruelty; Helen gives her a different point of view, driven by the Christian conviction that one
should bear any amount of suffering in this world in order to benefit in the afterlife
Jane’s constant questioning of Helen marks her as someone very interested in life and her place
in it – she is a strong character who will not merely accept things as they are but explores and
understand them – her analytical nature is very well developed and demonstrates her
independence – has very strong opinions
Chapter 7
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Jane spends next three months in a tireless, determined effort at school (good opinion of
teachers and peers matters)
Mr. Brocklehurst visit – undoes all her efforts (tells the ‘truth’,hair, stand whole day)
Irony – wife and daughter in fine clothes although he believes the way for a pure soul is to
punish the body ; curly hair cut – vanity
Brocklehurst’s cruelty - admonishes Miss Temple for profligacy –( breakfast/lunch)
Chapter 8
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Jane is worried about her reputation, Helen consoles her
Miss Temple invites them to tea
Asks of Jane’s life in Gateshead; promises to write and check the story
Intellectual discussion between Miss T and Helen – enjoys an intellectual discussion
Hint of Helen’s illness – sense of foreboding in Miss T’s manner towards Helen, “it was Helen her
eye followed to the door; it was for her she a second time breathed a sad sigh…”
Helen and Jane have conflicting views on the importance of the opinions of others – Jane prizes
public approval above all things, Helen feels that personal integrity is more important – this is
resolved in the adult Jane who listens to herself first but still needs the love and respect of those
she admires
Chapter 9
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As Jane becomes more settled, better weather reflects her altered state of mind – warm spring
reflects her altered state of mind – PATHETIC FALLACY
Typhus fever outbreak
Helen dies (undaunted spirit); this extremely moving part is described in a pragmatic,
unemotional manner. No comment is made regarding Jane’s feelings – by not emphasizing the
emotional intensity, the loss of Helen is made all the more poignant, as if no words are
necessary or appropriate to honor her memory
Enough to have tender image of girls clinging to each other
Jane puts a headstone after 15 years
Chapter 10
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Through typhus epidemic, people come to know dismal state of school – taken over by new
management
Spends next 8 years at Lowood- 6 as a pupil, 2 as a teacher
Relatively happy
Miss T marries and departs
This makes Jane very restless and advertises as a governess-advertises and hears about
Thornfield and from Mrs. Fairfax - Jane is on a quest for happiness;
Bessie the servant visits and tells her that her uncle came to the house 7 years before – finds out
that the Reeds are not happy- news which surprises neither her nor the reader
Jane’s desire for good opinions is obvious – inspite of impressing Bessie with her
accomplishments, she is still hurt by the fact that she is not appealing
Hint of other relations important to us
Chapter 11
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Third phase of her life begins – again with a solitary journey to Millcote, nearest town to
Thornfield
while waiting for her ride, she reflects upon her situation and things that while on level to be
alone is terrifying, there is also a thrill of the unknown about it – always she reasons with
herself whenever she is afraid or unsure
pleasant experience thus far at Thornsfield – Mrs. Fairfax (housekeeper) and Adele –
surroundings – P.F.
first hint of name Grace Poole
hears mysterious voices (GOTHIC)
opening lines of chapter signify new phase in her life
manner of narration is also different – reader drawn more into Jane’s thoughts; her internal
workings of the mind become focus of the story as she reaches maturity and is able to reflect
more articulately on her own situation, rather than having readers to draw their own
conclusions
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physical appearance – she examines herself and wishes she was more appealing, accepts it
pragmatically
Chapter 12
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the first three months pass peacefully enough – content but quest for happiness is on
chapter contains the first, dramatic, meeting with Mr. Rochester – falls of horse-finds out later
he is her employers
although poor and socially dependent, she is not afraid of Mr. Rochester and offers him physical
assistance and support – which benchmarks their relationship throughout
she maintains a strength and power in relation to him, a refusal to be dominated
vision in Red room (chapt 3) – “a great black dog behind him” when she had her fit; maybe the
child Jane had a premonition, a hint that this event was the most remarkable
Chapter 13
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Rochester’s interest in Jane starts
Adele shows off her governess
Jane comfortable in his presence, keen questioning by him
Impressed by paintings-paintings present dreamy & passionate side of Jane
Rochester has history of family problems
Chapter 14
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House is busy with guests with Mr. Ro’s return
Unpredictable behavior when he sees her in the corridors
First long interaction – discuss conventions of relationship between master and ‘paid subordinate’;
they are frank and honest with each other; impressed by her honesty and intrigued by her effect on
him – “do you think me handsome”/ “no sir”
Her clarity enables him to be honest about himself-interested in her opinion of him
Chapter 15
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Uncovers mystery surrounding Adel e-she is illegitimate daughter of a Frenchwoman, once a
mistress of Mr. Rochester-woman treated R badly and was interested in his money
His motivation of looking after her is to purge some sin by committing a charitable deed,
nothing more
Disturbed by some strange noises outside the room “demoniac laugh” – discovers Mr. R almost
unconscious from smoke inhalation and his curtains of fire- she saves his life
His gratitude has an unwarranted warmth and this section ends with her guessing of his growing
attachment to her - her innocence prevents her from seeing it
Jane doesn’t judge Mr. R for his past deeds and is impressed by his desire to make amends
Chapter 16
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Jane is becoming more and more fascinated by R
She things Grace Poole is the cause of the strange noises and fire
When she hears that Rochester has left to visit friends, she is perturbed (we don’t know why he
has left) – Mrs. F tells her of the beautiful Blanche Ingram who will be there-therefore clears her
own suspicions of Mr. R’s feelings towards her
She paints two portraits – one an imaginary one of Blanche which is exquisite and one of herself
which is plain and dowdy - strength of character available here, forces herself to consider the
reality by the paintings
Chapter 17
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Rochester returns with Blanche Ingram
Mystery regarding race (overhears conversation between 2 maids regarding Grace’s salary and
difficult job)
Jane emotionally distressed at seeing Edward and Blanche I – However tell tale signs of
Rochester being in love are there – insistence on her attending all parties, almost saying
“Goodnight my.....”
Lack of depth and sincerity in the conversations/flirting between Rochester and Blanche
Chapter 18
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Jane observes relationship between Ro and Blanche – no love between them, but may marry
her for “family, perhaps political reasons; because her rank and connexions suited him” (pg.211)
– Jane is horrified andshows Jane’s selfless nature as she is not concerned with her own love for
him but wants him to be happy
Fortune teller visits – Blanche Ingram silent after listening to the fortune teller; she is cruel
towards Adele and Jane
The calmness of Jane versus the hysterical screams of some ladies shows Jane’s dignity
Arrival of someone called Mr. Mason
Chapter 19
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Jane has an interview with the gypsy and attempts to get Jane to give the opinions on Mr. Ro
and Blanche; conversation becomes stranger and stranger until Jane realizes that the gypsy is in
fact Rochester in disguise – shows how well she knows him as she is able to find him out rather
than his ‘fiancee’
Rochester almost afraid with the arrival of Mr. Mason
Jane and Rochester’s conversation reveals how well they know each other; Jane is equal to
him in intellect feeling and sense even if not in social status and age
He also knows her very well – personality and judgments
Chapter 20
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Jane hears a terrible cry-Rochester asks for her help-this time to help Mr. Mason who has been
attacked, presumably by this strange Mrs. Poole – GOTHIC
She has to stay with Mr. Mason in the dark for 2 hours while Ro goes for a doc
Rochester’s atachmen tot Jane highlighted – he mentions his own wedding to Blanche ironically
Chapter 21
 Back to Gateshead – her aunt is near deathbed - Chapter opens with her musing on the
workings of fate – a strong idea in the novel
 John Reed has almost bankrupted the family and has died – giving Mrs. Reed a stroke
 Eliza and Georgina – selfish
 Tells her that Mr. Eyre wrote asking that Jane be sent to Madeira – Mrs. Reed told him that Jane
was dead
 Implicit message that selfishness and cruelty can only lead to misery
 Jane is able to rise above them and views them dispassionately because she no longer needs or
respects them
 The conversation between Ro and J at the beginning of the chapter is resonant with implied
meaning, charged with emotion underneath the surface banter
 Recurrent baby dream – personification of Jane’s innocence and vulnerability
Chapter 22
 Jane returns to Thornfield – another journey – mixture of anticipation and fear for the future
 Jane is welcomed warmly – no signs of any marriage – Ro uses animated language and his tone
shows this
 Finally acknowledges her love for Ro – self denial is useless – powerful force of her feelings for Ro is
intensified by the shift into the present tense as she approaches Thornfield – the effect of this
technique is to remove the distance of time from J’s narration and the make the event appear more
immediate
Chapter 23
 take a walk on a beautiful evening midsummer – Ro declares his love for Jane-she is thrilled
 Pathetic Fallacy: beautiful midsummer evening – sudden break in weather resulting in the storm
which splits the horse chestnut tree into two – an omen signifying that this impending union is
not right
 Ro’s manner and language also hint at some issues – the “savagery” with which he holds onto
Jane and his defiance of “the world’s judgment”
Chapter 24
 Mrs. F is cold at the match between the two – “I do fear there will be something found to be
different to what either your or I expect” – tinge of irony
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Jane uncomfortable at Ro’s behavior – expensive gifts, declaration of love
She wants match to be an honest one – not disintegrate into one of “society’s matches”
Writes to uncle for finances – financially independent
She wants Ro to love her for herself and not invalidate the relationship between them
Her need to be true to herself and to be independent – major part of her personality, even when in
love
Chapter 25
 Day before wedding, Jane is unsettled and restless- overcast and windy weather reflect her mood
 Tells him she had a vivid dream which had a sense of omen – again is about being burdened with a
young child and showed J&R being separated forever
 She then tells him that on waking from the dream, she discovered a strange, fearful woman in her
room who tore her wedding veil apart before leaving the bedroom
 Rochester is scared but says it was Grace Poole – tells her to sleep with Adele and Sophie to be safe
as he believed there was a threat to her life
 Physical events seem guided and influenced by spiritual or even psychic features – the weather,
Jane’s dream
Chapter 26
 Disclosure of bigamy by Rochester (Jane’s uncle raised alarm – informed Richard Mason)
 Rochester tells the story of Mrs. Rochester – a mad woman who is under the guard of Grace
Poole
 Jane manages to stay calm through all this until she is alone – he has nothing now except her
belief in God and herself
 Rochester’s behavior under scrutiny – he calls upon a higher court than that of the world to
judge whether he in fact was acting immorally given his suffering since being tricked into
marrying this woman for his family’s financial gain
 Jane doesn’t judge him – loves him and believes in a similar kind of moral code
Chapter 27
 Jane’s only solution is to leave Thornfield
 Rochester tells complete story – Bertha Mason-father arranged marriage so that he would have
dowry of 30,000 pounds
 When he speaks of the effect Jane has on him, we see the full force, beauty and sincerity of his
love for her
 Is powerless to resist this but is resolved to “keep the law given by God, not by man”
 Runs away in the middle of the night
 Jane’s sense of self is a major part of her nature – “I care for myself”, “Do as I do: trust in God
and yourself”
 Jane was acting under the fear of disgrace and God’s punishment
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She forgives Ro because she understand the circumstances – he is acting under the direction of
an alternative moral code not out of his immortality
Chapter 28 – Chapters 35
 Next phase – adult hood and the road to knowledge
 She roams the countryside in search of work and sustenance – THE PATHOS, in this scene is very
powerful-her sense of integrity is highlighted-she would rather suffer all this than be with the
man she loves
 She finally stumbles upon a house one night (MOOR HOUSE) and the occupants admit her and
save her from death; St. John, Diana and Mary Rivers restore her to health and fitness and they
become her family
 Can see parallels between Jane and St.John character in how they are stubborn in following one
path
 Turns out they are cousins and when Jane receives an unexpected inheritance she insists on
sharing it with them, allowing them all to be financially independent – the existence of a kind of
natural justice, a moral and fair system which can sometimes go against society’s legal system,
has echoes back to Rochester’s appeal to a higher court than that of man to judge his actions –
reinforces that Jane and Rochester have similar ways of viewing the world
 Jane’s approval of the house – plan and functional, yet clean and warm –another example of her
sensible value judgments
 She still loves Rochester - St. John offers her a proposal of marriage and travel to India with him
to be a missionary, but the desire to near Rochester makes her say no and stay behind – she
rejects the idea of being “forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to
burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital
(organ)” – a description of the horror she feels at living in a loveless marriage
 One night, when she is being pressured by St. John into making a decision, she “hears a voice”
crying for her in despair – GOTHIC
 She returns to Thornfield, finding in blackened and the mad Mrs. Rochester dead – her search
for her love eventually leads her back to Mr. Rochester, now blinded and partially crippled – THE
JOURNEY HOME to FERNDEAN MANOR