Jane Eyre, Part I
So you have two comments due by the 26th on chapters 1-9. Here's a few thoughts:
This book is a bildungsroman, a novel of coming of age or self-discovery. As such, we might want to keep our eyes open for quest elements (review your How to Read Notes...).
Set yourself in place as the novel opens. It's the mid-1800s. England. Class is an issue (remember, it's not how much money you have, it's your birth and your manners and your expectations). England's empire, their civilization of the world, is nearing its zenith. Women are either the "angel in the house", a near perfect being who has few emotions (angry? never! cranky? no way!) other than a love remarkable for its chastity and purity and a strong sense of duty or they are "bad" somehow - they've transgressed, gone against expectations.
Charlotte Bronte had a lot of time on her hands growing up. Strong imagination. No tv, you know? Everything has some degree of symbolic value. Nothing is just a tree or a storm or a plate or a song. Read with all your spider senses activated.
posted by Ms. Clapp @ 12:58 PM
41 comments
41 Comments:
Hey, everyone!
I'd like to offer my comments about Helen Burns, who fascinates me and after finishing the first section am left with a reference to Jesus Christ. The ending line of the chapter is "Resurgam," which means literally "I will rise again" in Latin. Aside from this, there's tons of other allusions, like for example Helen dies in the spring, which is around Easter Day. Her rebirth, then should be around that time. Additionally, she is shown to be extremely wise and mature, and all the while is very patient and endures much. She also brings up and advocates the Christian belief and God lots of times as well. Jesus Christ is said to die for our sins--so does Helen humanize and blunt Jane's bitterness? I believe that Helen does trade her life so that Jane could live without her acidic hatred. (Oh and by the way, we have the "pretty" death disease consumption. It's not at all a touching way to have Helen die miserably with blood every, but if she were to die one night, softly, it's all the better.)
Another thing that interests me about Helen is when she is forced to wear a headband of dishonor labeled "Slattern" on page 75. Jane, in a fury, "[tears] it off, and [thrusts] it into the fire" at the pain of seeing Helen's "sad resignation" to the cruelty of others however unjust (75). Helen and Jane seem to be like opposites, how Jane is rash and emotional and Helen on the other hand is patient and calm, almost angel-like.
Well first off I would like to say that I completely did not see that Jesus Christ reference with Helen Burns, but after you mention it Kevin, they do have very similar qualities.
What I would like to mention is the constant red imagery used throughout the story. First, Jane wraps herself in "scarlet drapery" (2) when she attempts to read her book. Then, when Jane gets into her little spat with John Reed, Mrs. Reed orders the servants to "take her away to the red-room, and lock her in there" (6). After that, red is mentioned again when Jane wakes up from a nightmare to a "terrible red glare" (13). Next it is seen that Bessie assumes Jane has been up to no good because she is "quite red" (27) and when Jane is traveling to her new school she notices a "red gallery...filled with musical instruments" (40) at the inn she stays at. Another time it is mentioned is when one of the girls at the school has "red hair" and Mr. Brocklehurst points her out for having curley red hair.
In all of these instances except when Jane wraps herselfin the drapes and when she sees the red gallery, red is used in a negative way, either to describe fear or a place Jane hates (the red room), or even to represent being up to mischief. I don't know if I am looking to much into it, however I seemed to ntoice that red is the only color that is used very frequently throughout the story. Perhaps also because red is somewhat of a royal or elevated color and it seems as though that elevation tends to be seen as a negative thing by Jane Eyre. The more likeable people tend to be the down-to-earth Miss Turner and Helen Burns, not the high class Mrs. Reed or Mr. Brocklehurst. Perhaps her dislike of the color red is supposed to portray that?
So i dont if im over analyzing this part, but on the bottom of page 2 to page 3 she mentions rain and ocean and also mentions about a church. When i read how to read literature like a professor in one of the chapters is mentions how water can change people and make them clean or a baptism. here the ocean is used as to wash up a ship wreck that someone noticed, but it is near a church yard which is kinda of ironic because people do baptisms so that they can be cleansed from their sins and be "re-born".she mentions this book a couple of times (if im correct)and i know its gotta be in there for a reason, but just having a hard time trying to get the "right" answer of the real meaning of this passage. any ideas?
I would like to bring to attention the description of Mr. Brocklehurst, who is conveyed as a statue-esque and stern individual. Jane Eyre also emphasizes his oddly large features such as his nose, teeth, feet, and mouth in order to emphasize how intimidating he seems. Brocklehurst also seems very dogmatic as well as well as pushy when it comes to religion. He comments that Jane has a “wicked heart” for not liking psalms despite his question being “Do you read the Bible” and “Are you fond of it” (30). Brocklehurst also seems hypocritical as he states that “Humility is a Christian grace” (31) even though he later tells of her daughter who is appalled at how “quiet and plain” all the girls at Lowood are.
I feel as if Brocklehurst is a false prophet of sorts and uses religion as a rhetorical weapon in order to scare and deceive children. He also seems to have definite answers for everything ranging from being absolute sure that Jane is a fibber and going to burn in hell to telling Jane that a child he has buried the other day is now surely in heaven. He is contrasted by Jane who when asked if she is a good little girl thinks the question is “impossible to reply to this in the affirmative.” (29)
I wanted to comment how on page 20 how mr.lloyd was talking to jane and she wanted to get out of her house, but she knew she didnt want to be poor. even as a little girl she sees people who are poor and realizes how poor they are. even though she might be happier as a poor person, she wants the materials and the really nice house over her. It seesm that Jane's aunt is ashamed of her father. of how he comes from a poor family and she doesnt even want jane associating with them. even jane herself admits that she doesnt want anything to do with them. She's miserable right now and she doesnt understand how people who have less than her can be so kinda, but also be ok with being uneducated and washing their clothes at the cottage door. she says that shes not heroic enough to "purchase liberty at a price of caste". Im not sure if im interperting this the right way, but she's doesnt have that much courage or strength to be able to be ok to live her life that way. it seems she rather live in misery instead of poverty thinking she would be missing so much more. that is the way i see this passage.
Heya!
I'd like to start off my comment with a question. On page 64, they talk about a girl named Julia Steven's and her "curled hair". I don't understand why her red curly hair is such a fuss about. They want her to immediately get rid of them. Is it that they believe that her red hair is some sort of demonic symbolism? Everyone at Lowood is extremely religious and seem to be scared of anything that has reference to the devil, even if it's just hair.
I'd also like to comment about Kevin's comment about Helen Burn's reference to Jesus Christ. I really do believe that's true. Helen in all aspects followed religion so closely and followed everything that had been written in the bible. Even when Miss Scatcherd struck her without many means, she did not carry anger or hatred towards her, and explained to Jane that "Love your enemies"(58). Something driven right out of the bible itself. Her death is also really symbolic and astonishing because it showed her purity that, she could no longer live on because she was to pure and kind for the world that they ahead of her. She showed no hatred and no fear of dying, she accepted it with open arms.
In response to Danny's comment, I didn't notice the recurrence of the color red until Mr. Brocklehurst scolds the girl with red hair for her hair being curly, of which creates a negative association with the color. Mr. Brocklehurst says, "...what is that girl with curled hair? Red hair...curled all over...' he pointed to the awful object..." (64). In associating the color red with the girl's curly hair, it's instantly turned into a negative attribute of the girl. In all the instances of red being brought up in association with Jane, I thought of all the negative emotions that Jane tends to keep bottled up inside her. Her contempt for the Reed family, Mr. Brocklehurst, etc. all amount up to hatred, often symbolized by the color red. Also represented by this color is strong feelings of love, of which Jane feels for the first time when she finds friendship in Bessie, Helen, and Miss Temple. So, it seems to me that the passionate red could be associated with Jane's passionate feelings, whether positive or negative.
In response to Ash's comments, I saw that that passage was an important one, one that seems to describe one of Jane's qualities. She says that she would not "purchase liberty at the price of caste" because she thinks poverty is synonymous with "degradation" (she says she does not want to "adopt their manners" or to "learn to speak like them" or "to be uneducated") (20). This decision she makes now may be brought up again in a crucial life-changing moment when she is older like in a choice of men. Say, for example, the Clarissa Dalloway choice: should she choose the stable, affluent man who can provide or should she choose the fiery, meteoric love of her life who doesn't have a penny to his name? And, if I've ever seen a love novel, I think much of the drama would be about how she's miserable after choosing the rich guy, but is still in love with the poor guy. (Moulin Rouge?!)
I noticed throughout the first nine chapters that the weather was discussed quite often. The very first paragraph of the book discusses "the cold winter wind" and "rain so penetrating." (1) From what I can concur of when the weather is brought up, I believe that it reflects Jane's overall state of emotion. While she lived with the Reed family, the weather is never described as being pleasant, coinciding with Jane's feelings of contempt for the other people in her home and her state of isolation. When she goes to school, the harsh cold of winter is emphasized. Bronte writes, "...a keen northeast wind whistling...all night long, had made us shiver in our beds, and turned the contents of the ewers to ice." (51) and "Sundays were the dreary days of that wintry season...We set out cold, we arrived at church colder..." (60). The bitter cold emphasizes the harsh period of adjustment Jane is undergoing while she is getting used to her new home: the lack of food, often harsh punishments by teachers, etc. Perhaps when the story progresses into the spring in summer months, feelings in Jane and her experiences will express the pleasant associations with the warm spring and summer seasons.
Taylor brought up a very good point about weather in Jane's life. Id like to comment on a moment that as Jane watched the snow and heard the howling wind she commented saying that this time of year is when a child most seeks the warmth of a parent or family member, however, she yearned for the winds to shake rougher, as if she did not need the love of a family. I think the school changed a lot of what Jane felt for a love of a family. First not being treated as part of a family by Mrs. Reed and now being at school and having Helen beside her at this point, she didn't need anything else. I find it strange though that she didn't need this comfort that she wanted the weather to worsen in a way. I think the weather in the novel will be playing a key role to what Jane goes through as her life progresses at Lowood.
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In regards to Kevin’s analysis, I have to admit that I had a feeling that Helen represented something, but I could not figure it out; after reading his analysis, I can definitely see the connection between Helen and Christ; the sign on her forehead representing the crown of thorns, her constant calm and composure, despite being ridiculed by Miss Scatcherd, etc.
And in regards to Danny’s post on the color red, I spotted that too; in the first chapter, Charlotte Bronte writes of how Jane is surrounded by “scarlet drapery shut in my view to the right hand; to the left were clear panes of glass…afar, it offered a pale blank of mist and cloud.” (2) When I first read that, I saw a representation of Hell and Heaven, and that at the moment, Jane was suspended in between. When Jane was forced into the red room, she was miserable and tormented, confined to her own little Hell if you will.
I was wondering however, what the representation for Mr. Broklehurst is. While I can kind of see the false prophet representation that Paul suggested, at the same time I can’t fully grasp that idea, and see him more as along the lines of the nowadays overly religious people, who use religion to justify all their actions, whether they be good or bad.
Hey guys!
To answer Analu's question...Mr Brocklehurst does not want any of the girls in his school to be exposed to frivolity, and so all of them are forced to lead simple lives with barely any food, very little clothing, and simple hairstyles. Brocklehurst even mentions to Mrs. Reed that he would take Jane and teach her "humility" like "all the girls at Lowood" (31). I don't know exactly what the purpose is but I beleive it has something to do with leading a simple and sinless life, and also possibly relates to all the girls being orphans and needing to adapt to that sort of lifestyle because they may have to live like that for the restof their lives.
Back to Kevin's reference of Helen being a christ-figure... to support the idea more, I just remembered what Helen said to Jane about standing up for herself, it went something like: "it is not violence that best overcomes hate--nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury" (57) which sounds veryChrsit-like to me (as well as the many other things she says). A question I have for this however, is what purpose does she serve to the book, or what significance does anyone infer she may have? Introducsing Helen already makes her have to be important, but making her into a Christ figure must make her REALLY important. Relating back to Jesus, perhaps Jane will follow in her footsteps as a "disciple"? Only time will tell...
In response to Analu’s question, I believe that Broklehurst made a big deal about the young girl’s curly red hair because he appears to make sure that everyone at Lowood is undeniably plain and homely. However, that contradicts greatly with the fact that his wife and daughter showed up at Lowood “splendidly attired in velvet, silk, and furs.” (65) I always have a tendency of trying to figure out the story ahead of time, and for some reason I cannot shake the fact that since Lowood is run on the small 15 pound charge, as well as donations, that perhaps Broklehurst is dipping into that fund a little; after all, the girls living conditions were worse for wear during the wintertime.
Many people have been asking questions, or saying that they weren’t sure if they were “looking into it” too much, but with Jane Eyre, I’m starting to think that perhaps there is almost no such thing as looking too deeply into any factor. In all honesty, almost anything can be made into a symbol, and with that, I have to question what Jane herself might symbolize. While the story is one of a self-discovery, I couldn’t help but notice that in one passage, Jane cited her favorite seat in the wilderness was a smooth stone, ”white and dry from the very middle of the beck, and only to be got at by wading through the water…barefoot.” For some reason, this line stood out to me; I saw the smooth white stone could perhaps represent a seat in heaven, but the fact that she had to wade through water barefoot to get to it made me think that it might mean that she would have to go through a change before she could get there, since like Ashley said before, water is often alluded to baptism, and in turn, change.
I wanted to comment on Danny's comment and how he thought that the color red can be seen as a "royal or elevated color". I disagree because I think that the color red goes more with feelings of evilness (like the devil or fire). I think that the constant color red being pointed out in the story can be seen as a premonition to something bad happening in the future.
I also wanted to compare the beginning of this book to the Scarelt Letter. Helen has the "headband of dishonor" like Hester has the scarlet letter. Also Jane is like Pearl, resenting the dishonor that is on the other person.
Hey,
The incident of Jane fainting when she feels "some coming vision from another world" (12)confuses me a bit. I don't exactly know what she thinks it is. I first thought maybe it was the ghost of Mr. Reed. However she said earlier on that page that she knew if he was alive that he would have treated her much kinder as though she was his own. So why would his ghost that make her that upset? Unless it was just the thought of a ghost alone that scared her. I was hoping someone could clear that up.
I would also like to comment on Malisa's interpertaion of the "red-room" as heaven and hell. I didnt think of that until just now. Although Mr. Reed had died in this room, this was room was "lonley" (9)and nobody paid much attention to it. This was an attribute Jane somewhat seems as though she would not mind. While in the room she can not be tormented by her cousins or Mrs. Reed. She can keep to her self and doesnt have to "fulfill every duty"(10)that she is given there is just her and her own thoughts. However her own thoughts seem to trick her as well. The isolation scares her and she starts to go a little stir crazy being alone. She evens imagines that visions. Plus the rooms is red, a symbol of hell, and the rooms as been the place of death. This parallel between the room I think represents Janes struggles, becasue she wants to be left alone but she doesnt want to be lonely. She just wants to be excepted.
Kevin,
I probably wouldn't have noticed that for a couple more chapters. But it's pretty obvious that religion is a big thing in this book as other people have noticed. I noticed a difference between Jane and Helen too. Jane seems to know a lot about the Bible, but she rarely practices the things in there, even though she's the "good" character. Jane says herself "when we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard . . . so as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again” (56). And one of the biggest lessons in the Bible is in Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say: ‘Just as he did to me, so I am going to do to him.’” It seems like Jane is doing things that seem fair and just at the time, but are contrary to the Bible she reads, which is actually something that in her time was not particularly considered appropriate.
Weather keeps showing up at various points. Particualrly once Jane leaves for Lowood. That morning it was "Raw and chill"(41), and the rest of the day is dark rainy and windy. Once arriving at Lowood a cruel, harsh vibe is given off. Her first day is not as bad becasue she finds Helen. THen the next day when the "pitchers [were] froze"(51) casue of a sudden change in the weather, it symbolized the cold feelings and harsh treatment that occured at Lowood, particularly by Miss Scatcherd.
Also not to keep repeating the observation of Helen Burns being Christlike, but I feel as though it is so obvious. All of the scrutinizing she recieves from Miss Scatcherd, with out even a "tear"(53)in her eye when she was being beaten, is a perfect example of Christ excepting all that was thrown at him and taking it all in without a retaliation or letting his weakness show. Only when she was alone did she slightly get upset.
To go with what Kevin and Katie are saying about religion, I too noticed that religion is a big theme throughout. One comparison I made with relgion was the way that Helen and Mr. Brocklehurst lived their lives through religion. Helen is a very religious girl that Kevin found many comparisons to Jesus Christ. She is very kind and saint like by helping Jane with her smiles when she was being ignored by the rest of her class for bring a "liar". Mr. Brocklehurst is not as religious as he tries to portray to his students. He uses his facade of a religious lifestyle to produce power over the students.
To Annie's comment, I was also confused on why Jane was so scared of the ghost of Mr. Reed when she knew that if he was alive he would have been nice to her. To me, it seemed like Jane was scared of the ghost because she thought that he was going to haunt Mrs. Reed for being mean to Jane. I think that the vision of a ghost would also scare Jane and enable her to faint.
I don’t believe that her hair being red was the issue or a symbol of anything demonic. The fact that her hair was curly bothered Mr. Brocklehurst who I’ve concluded is an individual who survives on power and the control of others, no matter how ridiculous his orders are. Mr. Brocklehurst makes the point, “you are aware that my plan of bringing up these girls is, not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence and [lusting of the flesh],”(63) and her hair is an example of indulgence of the flesh, even if they are natural. These girls are orphans and they will never taste luxury. Mr. Brocklehurst heads an institution of Hell on Earth, so that these females may feel the plight of the “primitive Christians” however, his wishes extend only to these girls. He fails to scrutinize his surroundings, making Mr. Brocklehurst a grave hypocrite and as Paul mentioned, a “false prophet of sorts who uses religion as a rhetorical weapon”. Mr. Brocklehurst is a liar who sees his life as pious but in truth; his wife and daughters are indulgers of the flesh, they are too accustomed to luxury and lack social grace and humility which he regurgitates as the basis of the Christian religion. Jane observes, “[as the ladies entered and interrupted Mr. Brocklehurst’s tirade] on dress, they were splendidly attired in velvet, silk and furs [with their hair] elaborately curled”(65). As the novel progresses, more examples of his hypocrisy will be revealed but his exposure is at hand!
As Ms. Clapp said, "Nothing is just a tree or a storm or a plate or a song," and I think some of the most interesting symbols people noticed are weather and setting.
TMLombard brought up the beginning paragraph of the novel where the narrator describes the "leafless shrubbery" and "cold winter wind" with "clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating..." The weather doesn't really reflect Jane's intentions however since in the next paragraph she comments that she "was glad of [the bad weather], [she] never liked long walks..." (1). This suggests, I would argue, that to a sense Jane welcomes the cold and harsh winter because it is an excuse for her to avoid certain parts of her life.
Also, to add to the ironic role the weather plays, on page 76 (the beginning of chapter 9) the weather again begins the paragraph and is described. Jane explains that "spring drew on...the frosts of winter had ceased; its snows were melted, its cutting winds ameliorated." While at first Jane states that the new warmer weather has "heal[ed]" the lameness caused by the January winds, we later learn that ironically the spring has brought disease into the school. Jane describes that typhus "crept into the Orphan Asylum" with the "quickness of spring" and finally that "May arrived, transform[ing] the seminary into a hospital." (79) Thus, though spring and warm weather brought a sense of joy into her life, it ends up causing her and the rest of the school hardships. I feel that there is a sense of irony in this. Usually winter yields death and spring life, but here it would appear that spring is bringing more death than winter.
Anyone have any opinions on this or why Bronte would use this switch around?
So we pretty much agree on the fact that Helen represents a Christ-like figure, but we're a bit stuck on the why. I think that the effect of Jane's friendship with Helen is going to last much longer than that short time that they spent together. Throughout their conversations, Jane was always ruled by her emotions. But Helen warns Jane "you think too much of the love of human beings" (70). Since Helen is a "spiritual" person, she urges Jane to rely on God instead of her own emotions. Helen is guided more by her spiritual beliefs, logic and reason, unlike Jane who is ruled by passion (even in standing up to her aunt).
Even at Lowood, a change is seen in Jane where she decides not to speak badly of her aunt. She decides to tell her story in a "most moderate--most correct" manner (71) which is well received by Miss Temple. Already Jane learns that she has the power to affect her life, unlike at Gateshead Hall.
Also, Helen seems important throughout the rest of the book, as Jane put a tombstone on Helen's grave fifteen years later. Jane chose Resurgam to go on Helen's tombstone, which Kevin said meant "I will rise again." In the whole "everything is a symbol" thing, maybe it means that Jane's spirituality will become stronger, believing in the resurrection of rising again. One thing is for sure, we're bound to see the effects of Helen on Jane throughout the rest of the book.
Jane’s fiery fury is subdued by Helen’s merciful disposition and character, which has been established, is close to Christ. However, I miss Jane’s fiery passion that was constant for it made reading interesting. The Introduction to Jane Eyre suggests that the reader attempt to empathize with Jane, in order to understand the novel. I’ve developed the idea that success to understanding Jane Eyre also has to do with the pace in which it is read. In the earlier chapters, heated events go by Jane’s pace, making them all the more interesting to read. What come to mind at the moment are Jane fainting (page 13) and the exchange with Mrs. Reed (page 34). The language is rich and vibrant (creating action packed visuals).
Expanding on Rorschach's comments on Mr. Brocklehurst being the antagonist of the story, it seems as if he represents one of the obstacles in Jane Eyre's quest to future success and possibly higher social standings (though she was not born into it). Mr. Brocklehurst can be a 'dragon' of sorts in that he attempts to drastically slander Jane's name by calling her a liar with no evidence but the word of her aunt (who also had no evidence!) However, Jane finally overcomes this attempt to harm her by reaching out to Miss Temple who clears up Jane's name.
I also find Jane's future actions- that are hinted at -to be interesting. As keVien and Katie brought up, fifteen years into the future from the book's current setting, Jane puts a grave-stone on Helen's previously unmarked grave. The text on it "Resurgam" has been analyzed well by the Christ-Figure bloggers, but I would also like to discuss the possible foreshadowing this event suggests. Jane, in the future, can afford to buy a grave stone for a friend she had years earlier. Does this hint at a possible financially successful future for her even though she was not born into a wealthy family (her mother & father at least)? Just a thought I would like to consider. This scene, on page 85, also connects Jane's past with her present explicitly as she narrates the novel.
I found it very interesting how Bessie and Jane connect at the very end before Jane departs to school. It’s interesting how Ms. Clapp points out that women are suppose to have only love and sense of duty as their emotions, or else they are considered to be defected, since Bessie seems to be playfully encouraging Jane’s outburst, calling her a “strange child… a little, roving solitary thing.” It’s kinda weird that Bessie treats Jane more nicer than before even though ironically Jane this time feels that she is at fault for her actions. Perhaps Bessie sees the transition Jane is making into an adult, or maybe just because Jane is leaving and she feels less responsibility for her. Jane comments that even her life “had its gleams of sunshine” which attributes to the ongoing weather symbolism.
I agree with Malisa about the quotation, "white and dry from the very middle of the beck, and only to be got at by wading through the water…barefoot". How it seems the stone may represent, "a seat in Heaven",and how her walking barefoot through the water, "might mean that she would have to go through a change before she could get there".
Though I agree I would also say that it may mean that she must go through struggle in her life,going through life "barefoot". Afterall, in chapter 2 Jane asks herself, "Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, forever condemned?" (9). Perhaps she will have to overcome life of struggle in order to change.
I agree with Steph that the color red symbolizes evil. Death is usually associated with evil. When Jane is punished, she is sent to a red room, where Mr. Reed died in, that eventually makes her very uncomfortable to the point where she freaks out and faints.
I wonder why she is scared, too if she thinks that Mr. Reed is back to punish his wife, but I mostly think it is because she is ten and scared of ghosts.
I find it very ironic that Jane, who isn’t religious at all, ends up going to a religious school. Jane is very knowledgeable on the subject compared to Hellen, who does practice a religion. It just shows that Jane reads and understands a lot, which is different that a lot of girls at that time, who were just expected to look pretty and be “proper”. I also think it is ironic that the religious school hired a teacher who is “evil”.
I didn’t connect this book to any other book, but I agree with Steph’s comment on it being similar to the “Scarlet Letter” with the connection of the symbol.
It seems throughout the first nine chapters of the book that Jane is being tested. First her parents die when she is an infant, she is placed in the care (or lack there of) of Mrs. Reed, she is sent to a strict school and then Helen dies. So far Jane's life is full of unhappiness with rare moments of happiness.
I am in the "overcoming affliction" reading group and my biggest question for the duration of this book is, "will Jane overcome her afflictions? Will she survive?".
hey guys,
I agree with Kevin that Helen Burns is like a Christ figure. I think it's interesting how Helen Burns and Jane Eyre are pretty much opposites but both heroines in their own way. Jane Eyre admires Helen for her ability and strength to go through the scoldings and whippings from Miss Scatcherd. Helen explains the importance of being submissive to authority, where "'if you could not avoid it: it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be require to bear,'" (55). At this point, Jane says that she "suspects that [Helen] might be right and [Jane] wrong," (55).
Jane's rebellious personality allows her to stand up for herself. My favorite part has to be when she shut ups Mrs. Reed as she says, "'I shall remember how you thrust me back-roughly and violently thrust me back-into the red-room...You are deceitful!'" (34). It takes a lot of guts for a female, especially a child, to argue with an adult at that time period.
To Paul's first comment on Mr.Brocklehurst.
I agree that there's something off about Mr. Brocklehurst. He preaches about being modesty and asking that a girl's natural curly red hair be all cut off; however, his own daughters and wife dress so lavishly in "velvets, silk, and fur" (65). Not only does he seem like a false prophet, appears to somehow use the school to gain money?
Also, I have a question about the significance of "bread and cheese" that comes up every so often. Mr. Brocklehurst talks to Miss Temple about the food the girls eat. He says, "'I find in settling accounts with the housekeeper, that a lunch, consisting of bread and cheese, has twice been served'"(63), and he goes on to talk about how they should not spoil the girls with such nice food.
Typically I would think this food is a form of "meal", and therefore is a form of bonding between characters as How To Read Lit Like a Professor suggests. However, Jane always seems to be alone for the most part, even eating. So, what could the bread a cheese mean?
it's a little ridiculous how many things are symbols here, the book that gets chucked at her, the book that she's reading in the beginning about birds, the doll...
It is curious that Jane is very much like the "Cinderella" storyline, but what I've read so far, I can see a strong feminist viewpoint against a society in which men are quite dominant. Even though Mrs. Reed is the head of the household, John Reed seems to do all of the pushing around. Jane is horribly abused by this boy, who is overbearing and much older. This could be a reference to someone who had dominated Bronte in her past. Jane seems to be a reflection of Bronte's childhood, seeing that she is incredibly intelligent, and adores books. I believe that the bird book symbolizes her desire for freedom-- for escape. The doll is evidently the thing that she must love, as she clearly states that "human beings must love something" (25) and this lifeless doll is what she decides to love. The book that John throws is her suppression, his feelings about her desire for escape.
until later, peace.
I wanted to respond to Malisa's comment about Heaven and Hell in the Red Room.
There is a ton of religious allusions in this and this is one of the first I noticed. Away from the monsters John, Liz and Georgie, Jane is at peace. She no longer has to suffer the pain of being mocked or injured. When put into this room, the details of the story are enought to let the reader know that this room is supernatural. Death has touched this room, and now Jane is sitting in it alone. She has recently retaliated, something she's never done before. She has resisted, and Bessie says that "she never did so before" (7). It's almost as if a demon possessed her. When she fainted, it was similar to an exorcism. Nothing feels the same after that. The pastry or book doesn't entice her. A huge change has definitely come over her.
Hello…
Okay, so to respond to Jezebelle Darling's wonder about the "bread and cheese"...I feel that the moment between Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple over the food that the girls ate relates to some sort of religious reading, etc., as mentioned on page 63, where he says "Our Blessed Lord Himself." Mr. Brocklehurst states that "when you put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into these children's mouths, you may indeed feed their vile bodies, but you little think how you starve their immortal souls!" So I would just go on to assume that he is getting all amped up over this issue, because he is looking at it from a religious perspective...looking to religious events/teachings, preferring to bring up strong religiously centered children, instead of pampered ones...he wants them to focus more on beliefs and morals, instead of nice things/comforts in life
Coincidentally, I too was tracking the occurrence of food/eating/meals in this novel (no specific type though) while reading. I believe that the first place where this topic is mentioned is on page 10, where Jane says "never eating or drinking more, and letting myself die." On the next page, she goes on to mention "what thought had I been but just conceiving of starving myself to death?" These passages bring upon the lack of food and death, which I found to be of possible importance. These two serious quotes are later followed by "This precious vessel was now placed on my knee, and I was cordially invited to eat the circlet of delicate pastry upon it. Vain favour! coming, like most other favours long deferred and often wished for, too late! I could not eat the tart" (16). Jane clearly does not have any bringing together moments with food or meals...rather she has numerous non-eating moments, where she comes close to eating, but doesn't, as well as moments when she thinks of starving to death. So, going back to Jezebelle Darling's blog, I would say that there is no positive bonding over food/meals.
Ms. Clapp had stated in the intro for the blog that "a song is never a song," which reminded me of page 17, where Bessie sings a song that mentions God being "a friend to the poor orphan child," which of course portrays Jane's life. I am just curious if I am the only one who feels that Bessie has had a quick epic change? At the start—the very first few pages of the novel, I felt that she, as well as everyone else in the Reed household was equally cruel, but after the red-room event, she seems to have this liking/care for Jane…just a thought.
Hello again…
Just thought that I too would touch on the discussion about the color red. One of the quotes that I had marked as significant was on page 18, where after Bessie sings, Jane begins to cry. Bessie tries to comfort Jane, so that she can stop crying, but Jane just goes on to say "[s]he might as well have said to the fire, 'Don't burn!'" (18). The color red relates to fire, which Jane goes on to relate to herself, which ultimately reveals the pain and anger that Jane feels.
To answer Danny's question about "red" and "elevation," I personally don't find that Jane views being down-to-earth more positively, but rather upper-class status. To support, on page 20, where Jane says "'I should not like to belong to poor people,'" and when Mr. Lloyd asks "'[n]ot even if they were kind to you?'" She says no, and goes into this detailed thought on how she views the lower class as without manners, etc.
Something else that I noticed was how intelligent Jane is for a young child. Although she herself is a child, she is capable of removing herself from that category when she thinks in the following passages:
1."…there were certain introductory pages that, child as I was, I could not pass quite as blank" (2).
2. "How much I wished to reply fully to this question! How difficult it was to frame any answer! Children can feel, but they cannot analyse their feelings…" (19).
Any thoughts?
…Just some points that I found to be of appeal.
Thanks.
I have to say that I disagree with the color red being demonic and symbolic of evil. I thought the color was symbolic of Jane's passion and her fiery spirit. But I also thought the color red to represent Jane's strong character might have been scandalous of the time period she was in. I would assume red would have negative connotations when associated with a woman. In this time period, women are supposed to be chaste and pure and innocent; the color red would be unbecoming of this type of woman. Red would mostly be associated with 'scarlet women', alhtough I'm not suggesting that Jane is a scarlet woman. But it still must have been shocking to readers as I think they would also have picked up on the color.
Also, Helen Burns has been talked about as a Christ figure throughout the novel and while she definitely embodies some of Christ's traits (her forgiveness, humbleness etc.,), I don't think she was put there as a Christ figure. Rather, I think she represents what a woman of this era is supposed to be like :humble and pure, forgiving, always obedient. It's true she is the opposite of Jane and she even teaches Jane a bit of humbleness as was evidenced in Jane's speech of her childhood, "I resolved in the depth of my heart, that I would be most moderate--most correct...and mindful of Helen's warning...I infused into the narrative far less of gall and wormwood than ordinary(72)". Helen Burns served to calm and soothe Jane's personality; I certainly think Jane learned something from her. However, I think with Helen's death, that lesson might eventually be lost, but she tried.
The above comment was by me. I posted on my friend's account by accident.
In resposne to Marissa's question, well I think it's because she's looking back on her life as an older woman. This is a coming of age story but I still view it as her being of an older age and recounting her life's story.
But, Jane is very intelligent for a child and I think it's due to her love for reading. Jane also admires intelligence and she seems almost entranced when Helen and Miss Temple were speaking, "What stores of knowledge they possessed!...but my amazement reached its climax when Miss Temple...(75)." Jane is shown as being a quick learner after being allowed to learn French after only two months and even Helen comments on Jane's intelligence and her ability to capture information and listen attentively. Helen's mind is always in the clouds, but yet she is still a brilliant child.
I agree with Victor when he mentioned that more hypocrisy is uncovered as the book continues. Now that I think about it, I think Mr. Brocklehurst is a symbol of the devil, or something evil. It is so easy to contradict yourself when it comes to religion. Its very ironic how a person who believes in all these morals, is the one who is corrupted in a sense. The very religious person usually believes that they are right, and everyone else is inferior.
I'd like to comment on Analu's question on red hair: "Is it that they believe that her red hair is some sort of demonic symbolism? Everyone at Lowood is extremely religious and seem to be scared of anything that has reference to the devil, even if it's just hair."
The other day, I was in Clapp's room and read this list of rules for women teachers back in the early 1900s. Out of all the wacky ones("You may not loiter in downtown ice-cream stores"...HA), I remember reading rules that said "You are under no circumstances allowed to dye your hair" and "You may not dress in bright colors." After reading your question, I was reminded of that. Though this book is mid 1800s, I think most of the rules still apply. Actually, I would think that the rules would be even more strict if it were in the mid 1800s.
Back to the point, I think that any kind of color(especially red), that would make especially a woman, stand out would be considered too noticeable, and out of the norm. Especially in a Victorian society, where women are subjugated to a life of duty and obedience, and where standing out wasn't exactly the best place to be for a woman.
And I'd also like to agree with Victor's observation when he says "Mr. Brocklehurst heads an institution of Hell on Earth, so that these females may feel the plight of the “primitive Christians”". And the purpose of this scene in the book, was Bronte's way of showing how much of a hypocrite Brocklehurst really is.
Also, I'd like to point out some elements of a quest! (yay how to read lit)
I feel that Jane's childhood living at the Gateshead was a small quest in itself. Quoting Foster's line in How to read literature like a professor, he says "The quest consists of five things: (a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route and (e) a real reason to go there."
In this case, Jane would be (a) the quester. The (b)place to go would be to Lowood School. The (c)stated reason was from the apothecary who suggested that being sent to school would allow Jane to find happiness. The (d)challenged and trials en route would be her aunt, and all the cruel and harsh treatment from the Reeds. And finally, the (e)real reason to go there is to escape, and finally be able to find the freedom to experience the outside world, no longer suffering the tyranny of the Reeds anymore.
The fact that Jane is so young at this point(ten years old I believe?) also adds to the case that this is a quest. She still has so much more to grow, and so much more to learn about herself and the outside world.
Also, I think her experience at Lowood is also starting to become a quest, however, I don't really see the reason yet.
I've got Jane as the quester, and possibly Brocklehurst as an obstacle, but that's about it so far.
What do you guys think?
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