JANE EYREdiscussion guide - gateshead

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

CHAPTER ONE

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.”

Rather than systematically setting the scene, Bronte throws readers right into the mind of the 10-year-old narrator

“Dreadful to me was the coming home.”

Bronte loves inverted sentences. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.

Jane is constantly compared to the Reed children

In what ways is she different from them?

Note: Jane will continue to define herself by describing what she isn’t

CHAPTER ONE

What is the weather like outside when Jane retreats to the window seat?

Note: the exterior world often reflects Jane’s feelings

Icy conditions = Jane’s chilling alienation

What does Jane find interesting about Bewick’s History of Birds?

Again, the outside world reflects Jane’s feelings

CHAPTER ONE

John Reed

What do you think of him? Why?

The first of many patriarchs who tries to control and define Jane

Also the first to fail. Jane refuses to be defined as his humble dependent. How does she rebel against him?

Punishment

Jane’s behavior and subsequent incarceration foreshadow another important event in the novel. Remember this moment!

The other residents at Gateshead consider Jane a “mad cat” for her actions. Is she justified, or is she crazy?

CHAPTER TWO

The red-room

How is this room described? (repetition)

Remember what we said in chapter one. The exterior world often reflects Jane’s emotions.

Red is a universal symbol for passion.

The combination of red and white in this room are the first instance in which fire and ice imagery are used.

Jane will have to negotiate the fire of her passion and the ice of her self-doubt as she matures. (contrasts/contradictions)

CHAPTER TWO

What makes the red-room so creepy?

Remember that Jane Eyre is considered a dark romantic or gothic novel.

Uncle Reed (memory moment)

“A singular notion dawned upon me.” (big realization)

Heartless Aunt Reed

Children don’t forget injustices like this. Examples?

“Unconsciousness closed the scene.”

CHAPTER THREE

How does Bessie treat Jane when the young girl wakes up? (contrasts/contradictions)

“Something passed her, all dressed in white, and vanished.”

Literature as escape

Just like The History of British Birds, Jane reads Gulliver’s Travels for the distant settings and intriguing differences from her own life

What does Jane share with the doctor?

How might he be able to help her?

Jane’s parents, according to Bessie and Abbot, died a year after they were married of typhus fever. Why don’t they have sympathy for her?

CHAPTER FOUR

Jane confronts Mrs. Reed! (contrasts/contradictions)

What are the consequences?

Eliza is every bit as greedy and selfish as her mother and brother. How can we tell?

Jane at the window - more frost (repetition)

Remember that windows in literature represent a view of freedom

What does Jane see? Why isn’t she particularly interested?

CHAPTER FOUR

Mr. Brocklehurst

“I looked up at - a black pillar! - such, at least, appeared to me, at first sight, the straight, narrow, sable-clad shape.”

He is the second pillar of patriarchy intending to turn Jane into a docile, submissive woman.

“What a face he had…what a great nose! and what a mouth! and what large prominent teeth!”

Meet the big bad wolf

As the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood pretends to be a kind grandmother, Mr. Brocklehurst pretends to be the kind head of a Christian institution

Notice the courtroom language in their discussion

CHAPTER FOUR

Thinking ahead to Lowood

What are Jane’s predictions regarding the school? What are yours?

Why does Jane get angry with Mrs. Reed again? (contrasts/contradictions)

“I will never call you aunt again so long as I live. I will never come to see you when I am grown up.”

How does Bessie treat Jane as the girl prepares to leave Gateshead? (contrasts/contradictions)

“If you dread them they’ll dislike you.” (life lesson)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

What questions do you still have?

What have you learned about Jane so far?

In what ways does she defy expectations?

What do you think of Jane Eyre’s situation? Can you think of other characters in similar situations to the one she is in with the Reed family.

We already talked about Harry Potter. Who else?

Exit Ticket: If you were in Bessie’s position, what advice or words of encouragement would you have for Jane as she gets ready to leave for school?