Jane EyreJane Eyre

Charlotte BrontCharlotte Brontëë

ThemesThemes

Christian love and forgivenessChristian love and forgiveness Moral conflictMoral conflict SpiritualismSpiritualism Love and the need for autonomyLove and the need for autonomy The system of social classThe system of social class Gender relationsGender relations

SymbolsSymbols

The moon=changeThe moon=change Food=deprivation and wantFood=deprivation and want Fire=passionFire=passion Chestnut tree=Jane and RochesterChestnut tree=Jane and Rochester’’s relationships relationship Bertha Mason=the Bertha Mason=the ““trappedtrapped”” Victorian wife; the Victorian wife; the

prevailing attitude towards other cultures; Janeprevailing attitude towards other cultures; Jane’’s s subconscious ragesubconscious rage

The red room=what Jane must overcome in order The red room=what Jane must overcome in order to find love and independence.to find love and independence.

Charlotte BrontCharlotte Brontëë

The Gothic NovelThe Gothic Novel

Definition: Gothic novels, originally from the Definition: Gothic novels, originally from the European Romantic Period, have a European Romantic Period, have a prevailing sense of mystery and terror. prevailing sense of mystery and terror.

Called gothic b/c its imaginative impulse is Called gothic b/c its imaginative impulse is drawn from the rough and primitive grandeur drawn from the rough and primitive grandeur of medieval buildings and ruins.of medieval buildings and ruins.

Dark and tempestuous – full of ghosts, Dark and tempestuous – full of ghosts, madness, outrage, superstition, and madness, outrage, superstition, and revenge.revenge.

Gothic, cont.Gothic, cont.

Settings often castles or monasteries with Settings often castles or monasteries with underground passages, dark battlements, underground passages, dark battlements, hidden passages, and trapdoors.hidden passages, and trapdoors.

Examples: Frankenstein, DraculaExamples: Frankenstein, Dracula Jane Eyre is not strictly gothic, but many Jane Eyre is not strictly gothic, but many

elements can be found.elements can be found.

Elements of gothic motifs in Elements of gothic motifs in Jane Jane EyreEyre

Romantic and desperate escape/flee from Romantic and desperate escape/flee from site of male hero.site of male hero.

Setting is castle-like structureSetting is castle-like structure Haunting mystery and sufferingHaunting mystery and suffering SecretsSecrets Dark, disturbing charactersDark, disturbing characters Emotional traumaEmotional trauma AlienationAlienation

Motifs, cont.Motifs, cont.

Fire and iceFire and ice Prevalence of mysteryPrevalence of mystery SuspenseSuspense GhostsGhosts ImprisonmentImprisonment The appearance of a fortune tellerThe appearance of a fortune teller Portentous dreamsPortentous dreams

The Byronic HeroThe Byronic Hero

So called from poet Lord ByronSo called from poet Lord Byron’’s heroess heroes A type of antihero who is a romanticized but A type of antihero who is a romanticized but

wicked characterwicked character Defies authorityDefies authority Associated with destructive passionsAssociated with destructive passions Brooding, alienatedBrooding, alienated Persistent lonelinessPersistent loneliness Fiery rebellionFiery rebellion

Hero, cont.Hero, cont.

ArrogantArrogant High level of intelligenceHigh level of intelligence Suffering from unnamed crimeSuffering from unnamed crime Troubled pastTroubled past Powerfully seductivePowerfully seductive MoodyMoody Jaded, world-wearyJaded, world-weary A good heart in the endA good heart in the end

Victorian fashionsVictorian fashions

contcont

contcont

Victorian architectureVictorian architecture

moremore

moremore