There are many symbolic and psychological functions of place, setting, and landscape in Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte uses descriptions throughout the novel to exaggerate the effect of an event. Bronte also uses setting (less frequently however) to foreshadow a situation, or the nature of a situation.
From the commencement of the story, the reader is introduced to the climate. A cold, winter day, full of clouds and rain is described. Physical abuse by John Reed and the family’s rejection of Jane soon follows. Bronte uses the weather to mirror the mood of Jane’s surroundings, which are depressing and gloomy.
An event which traumatises Jane psychologically and emotionally is her imprisonment in the Red Room. As the room is seldom visited, it has an icy cold nature. After she calms down, there is coldness in Jane’s mood as well. She admits, “…my courage sank. My habitual mood of humiliation, self-doubt, forlorn depression, fell damp on the embers of my decaying ire.”(p. 10) Jane’s emotions parallel the imagery of the Red Room. The room is furnished with red curtains, a red carpet, white pillows, and a white easy-chair. White signifies absence of passion and fire, purity, and sexlessness, while red signifies passion, lust, and energy. These colours are symbolic of Jane’s temperament, as she transforms from being hysterical to quiet and calm. She feels a sense of alienation and self-estrangement as she looks at herself in the mirror.
The Essay on The Red-room in Jane Eyre
It is not rare to encounter effective and incisive uses of space within nineteenth century literature. The famous novel _Jane Eyre_ by Charlotte Brontë is one of the finest examples of a fictional work with profuse uses of space in the period. The red-room in which the little Jane Eyre is locked as a punishment for her panicky defense of herself against her cousin John Reed is the first noteworthy ...
Upon her departure from Gateshead, Jane looks forward to the new experience of school. However, the rain, wind, and darkness, which are present upon her arrival, give an indication that the school may not be as pleasant as Jane had anticipated. Lowood Institution is made up of many compartments, passages, large and irregular buildings, and has a dreary silence. The garden is convent-like and is surrounded by high walls. The clothing which the students wear have the drabness and uniformity of an institution. These characteristics and the teacher’s disciplinary techniques contribute to the prison-like atmosphere, which is present at Lowood. The students are closely watched and many feel like inmates.
Bronte paints the coming of spring with “days of blue sky, placid sunshine… flowers [peeping] out amongst the leaves… [and a] scent of spice and apples” (p. 70-71).
The ambience at Lowood correspondingly becomes lighter and less-disciplined. Nevertheless, a disease-stricken school brings some misfortunes to Jane’s friend, Helen. Helen’s departure from the world, however, imitates the cheerful setting which surrounds her. Helen is at peace and is not afraid of dying. She assures Jane that she is happy, that she has faith, and that she is going to God (p. 76).
A contrasting scene of death occurs at Gateshead. As Mrs. Reed lies on her deathbed, she requests the presence of Jane in order to repent her sins. Her ultimate goal is a selfish one: to improve her own health. While she denies Jane affection and blames Jane for her own mistakes, “the rain beat strongly against the panes, [and] the wind blew tempestuously” (p. 235).
Bronte uses an opposing climate in this scene to illustrate the wickedness of Mrs. Reed’s character and that her death can be characterised as having a spiteful and agitated nature.
Thornfield is portrayed as an old manorhouse, quite large in size, with long, dark corridors and spacious rooms. It has a cold and lifeless feeling as one walks through it (p. 93).
This solemn place strongly insinuates the presence of a family secret or hidden information. The rarely visited rooms, the lack of light, and the few occupants make for the perfect mystery. The Thornfield secret is later exposed as Bertha, the mad woman locked in the attic.
The Essay on Jane Growing Up Eyre Bronte Life
Charlotte Bronte was born in 1816, in Thornton, Yorkshire, the third of Patrick and Maria Bronte's six children. Charlotte's clergyman father became in office at Haworth in 1020, a year before for mother died. In 1824, all the girls with the exception of the youngest Anne were sent to a boarding school for clergymen's daughters. The treatment there was so rigorous that is probably caused the early ...
Bronte displays a good use of landscape as an emblem for Jane’s feelings. On a cold day, Jane travels on a silent and lonely road to Hay. She is content to walk among the fields, watch a few birds, and enjoy the light from the moon (p. 106-107).
As Jane walks along a lonely road, she too feels alone in the world. She despises the only family members she knows of, and has no real friends. Although, as she is grateful for nature’s beauties on a cold night, she is also grateful for the opportunities which she has acquired. She does not take for granted her position as a governess, even if it is not a highly respected occupation. She wishes to live her life simply, conservatively, and honouring God.
After denying their feelings for many months, Jane and Mr. Rochester finally reveal their love for one another. His request for her hand in married pleases her immensely and is accepted. Unlike what we have seen so far in the novel, “[the] wind blew… the thunder crashed… the lightning gleamed… [and] the rain fell” (p. 255) on this joyous occasion. In this case, the weather is not used in accordance with Jane’s feelings. The storm is used as a subtle hint by Bronte to show that the relationship may not be as innocent as was thought. While Jane expects there to be a wonderful union between Rochester and herself, a lightning struck tree is cut in half, which foreshadows a split of the union.
Upon Jane’s departure from Thornfield, it was a “lovely summer morning” with birds singing (p. 321).
Although her heart is suffering, she has a clear conscience and is unburdened. The blissful climate is an assurance that she has made the right decision, and is respected for her honesty.
The first evening Jane spends outside is a clear night. Even if she is heartbroken and lonely, she still appreciates nature and the presence of God. Her second evening is not tolerated as well. She is alone in the dark woods, surrounded by trees, as the rain falls, and the wind blows (p. 331).
Her only enthusiasm stems from a glaring light in the distance. The light is symbolic of warmth, love, and comfort. Once rejected from the Moor House, Jane reaches her ultimate depth of misery. Isolated and banished into the cold, damp woods, Jane is prepared to die.
The Essay on Jane Bronte Charlotte Emily Anne
'Emily Jane Bronte was born at Thornton in Yorkshire on 30 July 1818, the fifth of six children of Patrick and Maria Bronte (nee Branwell). Two years later, her father was appointed perpetual curate of Haworth, a small, isolated hill village surrounded by moors. Her mother died shortly after her third birthday and she and her sisters and brother were brought up by their aunt, ElizabethBranwell. ...
The appearance of St-John Rivers signifies the salvation of poor Jane. She is welcomed into the house, and is treated with kindness and generosity. There is “a room with a sanded floor, clean scoured… a glowing peat-fire… a low rocking-chair… [and] a lower stool” (p. 332).
The ambience of the home reflects the decor. There is a cheerfulness, warmth, and good-humour present, just as the shining light had suggested. Jane shares many interests with the occupants of Moor House. They spend many delightful days together and Jane grows to love the house as Diana and Mary do. Jane spends one of the most pleasant times of her life among these new friends.
A position of schoolmistress is occupied by Jane, forcing her to leave Marsh End. A cottage in Morton is appointed to her; it consists of a small, white room with a table and chairs, a clock, and a small dining set, as well as a bedroom comprising a bed and dresser (p. 359).
This plain and humble abode does not instil happiness into Jane’s life. After being exposed to cultured families and educated households, she feels constrained and restricted by living alone in the country, and teaching underprivileged children. She doesn’t feel “gleeful, settled, content” at her new domicile, but is “dismayed at the ignorance, the poverty, the coarseness” which surrounds her (p. 360).
Bronte uses descriptions and illustrations extensively throughout the novel. Images are often depicted with a specific mood, which mimic Jane Eyre’s emotions. The atmosphere of the house at which Jane resides, is almost always in correspondence with her temperament. Bronte also finds a psychological function of landscape and climate. When Jane is homeless, her suffering becomes very conspicuous as the climate worsens. Secondary character attributes can also be demonstrated using setting, as was seen when Helen and Mrs. Reed are on their deathbeds. Bronte makes an effective use of place, setting, and landscape to symbolise the mood of the scene, or to foreshadow events.
Bibliography
· Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Charles E. Tuttle Co. Inc. Vermont, USA.
1993.
The Essay on Emily Jane Bronte One Poetry Home
Emily Jane Bronte Emily Jane Bronte remains a mystery. Very little is known about her. There is little information, and much of what we have is contradictory. She is the author of only one novel and a few bits of poetry. This gives people little to build on. The majority of what we know about her comes from her sister, Charlotte, who is another well known author. From what is known, it would ...
