Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte Critique

CHARLOTTE BRONTE: JANE EYRE

PLOTThis biographical novel, about the life of a young girl called Jane Eyre is set in the 19th century England. After the death of her parents and guardian, Mr. Reed, Jane is left under the care of her aunt, Mrs. Reed.

At the age of ten she starts to realize her surroundings. Being an orphan, she is discriminated against by her aunt and cousins. She endures unnecessary punishments and bullying especially from her cousin John Reed. She says, “I knew he would soon strike, and while dreading the blow, I mused on the disgusting and ugly appearance of him who ….” The above observation shows that she is bullied and brutalized so regularly, to the extent that she hates Mrs. Reed. She shows courage and strength of character when she tells Mrs. Reed that she hates her. “People think you are a good woman, but you are bad, hard hearted. You are deceitful”. This confrontation shows that she has suffered too much and in desperation, she is not afraid to tell Mrs. Reed that she hates her.

Mrs. Reed, on the recommendation of Mr. Lloyd, decides to send her to school for fear that she might spoil her cousins. In actual sense she simply does not want to be burden with looking after her. The question is whether Mrs. Reed is just a hard hearted person out to make Jane suffer or there is something about Jane she hates so much other that the fact that she is poor. Answers to these questions are given later in the text.

At school she faces many hardships. These include travelling alone for a distance of over 50 miles, a fact that the teachers at Lowood comment on and during bad weather. The school itself presents a new set of challenges for Jane. This is mainly in form of the inhuman living conditions at Lowood like poor diet, overwork, lack of exercise, heavy punishments and inadequate clothing. She endures all these hardships. This is because to her these forms of suffering are bearable to those of Gateshead, because here she is not alone and has friends.

She gets friends who help her to get used to the school. Survival, endurance, and respect for authority, principles Jane cannot understand, reign. Helen Burns and Miss Temple help her to get used to the school. Over punishments on trivial offences, Helen advises, “It is not violence that best overcome neither hate, nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury”. She advises Jane to follow Christ’s teachings of “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you”. It is hard for Jane to grasp this philosophy, but in the end Helen’s words actually shape her character as she later on forgive those who had wrong her. The case in point being Mrs. Reed and Rochester. When Brocklehurst calls her a liar and orders the other girls not to play with her, Jane is devastated. However, Miss Temple assures her that, “I shall write to him; if his reply agrees with your statement, you shall be publicly cleared from every imputation”.

A Typhus fever breaks out at Lowood and many of the students die and some are either sent away or looked after in the school. Out of the total population of 80 girls, over 45 five die or fall sick. Among those who die, is Helen Burns-of consumption. The fact that Helen dies in Jane’s arms shows the strong friendship they share. Jane survives and after the fever, conditions improve. “The school, thus improved, became in time a truly useful and noble institution”. She stays on for eight years “six as a pupil and two as a teacher” when she comes of age and when Miss Temple gets married, she decides to leave and try her luck elsewhere..
She applies for and gets a position of governess at Thorn field. She is in charge of Adele a Mr. Rochester’s foster (ward) daughter. A close relationship develops between them. This is shown in her request to Mr. Rochester to send Adele to school in case he got married to Miss Ingram. She says, “In that case, Sir, Adele ought to go to school. I am sure you will perceive the necessity of it”. This sympathy is because what they have in common: not having relatives and being alone in the world.

The absentee landlord-Mr. Rochester- soon returns and from the first time he sees Jane, a relationship seems to develop between them. He recognizes her good attributes such as her openness, intelligence, self respect and amiable nature. From the accidental meeting when Rochester falls off his hose, their lives become intertwined. She saves him from a fire and helps him look after Mason when the latter is attacked. The chain of events that bring them close, seem to indicate that they are pre-destined to be together.

Rochester brings his friends, who include the beautiful Blanche Ingram. This meeting is used by the author to reveal the lifestyle of the upper class, more especially their attitudes to what is perceived as the lower class people. During the party, Jane and Ingram are contrasted. It is clear that despite her social position, beauty and pride, Ingram lacks the qualities that Rochester wants in a wife.

Rochester disguises himself as a Gipsy woman in order to know for certain the right woman to marry. Jane excels again in comparison with Miss Ingram from who he is luckily learns is interested only in his wealth. Rochester learns that Mason has come and he is scared. This prompts him to ask Jane, “If all those people came in a body and spat at me, what would you do Jane?” Both the question and the answer that follow reveal a growing attachment between Jane and Rochester. This leads to the trust that Rochester puts in Jane as seen in the fact that he leaves Jane looking after Mason, when the latter is stab under mysterious circumstances in the house.

The happenings of the night bring them together. They all realize that are in love but then it is still too early to make a commitment. In the meantime Jane comes to confirm that there is a secret in the house. On receiving summons from Gateshead, she seeks permission to leave, which is granted by Rochester reluctantly. This is proved by the fact that she extracts a promise from Jane to return as soon as possible and even considers not paying her all her dues. Jane finds that the Reed family has disintegrated. John is dead and the mother too is dying, Mrs. Reeds confesses to the lie she had told about Jane when her uncle John Eyre had inquired about her, “I took my revenge, for you to be adopted by your uncle and placed in a state of ease and comfort, was what I could not endure” thus we are told the reasons why Mrs. Reeds hates Jane.

When she returns to Thorn field, Rochester proposes to her, which she accepts. This is after teasing her that he was going to marry Ingram and had got for Jane a position as a governess in Ireland and Adele was going to a boarding school. He does all this to ascertain Jane’s true feelings towards him. He is reassured by Jane’s outburst of tears, claiming that she would not survive being separated from him.

But before they are wed, Mason and Briggs are sent by her uncle to stop marriage on account that Rochester is already married. This is after Jane had written to her uncle informing him of her impending marriage. The mystery of the house is revealed when Rochester shows his “wife” Bertha who had been living under key and lock under the supervision of Grace Poole.

Though she is in love with Rochester, she decides to leave and not to be tempted to live in sin with him. Penniless, friendless, tired, hungry, she wonders over the Moors: sleeping outdoors and begging for food. Luckily she taken in by the Rivers, who look after her and give her a job, thus rescuing her from certain death. She gives them a false name, in an attempt not to be discovered by Mr. Rochester and the revelation of her secret.

It is soon discovered that she is related to them and inherits 20,000 pounds. This is after her uncle’s death and accidental discovery by ST. John Rivers, after discovering her true identity from a piece of paper. She shows her appreciation and joy towards the Rivers by sharing with them equal the inheritance. John tries to convince her to marry him so that they can go to India together and work as missionaries. At the point she is about to give in, she receives a telepathetic message from Rochester. He calls out to her to which she responds by going to look for him. She finds him at Fernden and after reconciliation, she marries him. Love works miracles, in that Rochester regains his sight and has a son.

THEMES AND IDEAS
Social Status
The society in Jane Eyre is basically divided between the rich and the poor. This is a theme that cuts across the novel. On the extreme sides there are the rich like the Reeds, Brocklehurst, Rochester and the Ingrams and the poor who are servants like Grace Poole, Bessie and John. In between the two classes there are people who have no property but have a social and human characteristics. They are actually better than the rich, but are under looked because of they lack of material possessions.

Belonging to the upper class would presume good human qualities like sharing, love and kindness. This is not the case with most of the characters who belong to this class. For example John Reed is harsh and brutal to Jane because he is rich. “You are a dependant. Mama says you have no money.” It is this feeling that the rich have the right to anything that they like that Abbot uses to reprimand Jane because she is a dependant. Brocklehurst uses the same philosophy to reprimand Jane for not being humble to Mrs. Reed whom he refers to as her benefactress.

The above attitude is reflected in Ingram. Despite her beauty and money Jane observes that she would never make a good wife for Rochester. This is on account of how she treats Adele and the fact that she is hard hearted. Jane observes about her thus, “and that her qualifications were ill adapted to win from him that treasure. She was too inferior to excite the feeling”. All the above comments show that social class differences don’t make people different and it is an excuse to the rich to mistreat those they believe belong to the inferior class. This is further illustrated in the dialogue between the Ingrams about their governess. They feel that it was their right to mistreat those who where employed to look after them. This is the same attitude that Blanche Ingram has towards Jane.

The other character who shows Bronte’s criticism of class stratification is Brocklehurst. Despite the fact that he is a man of God and rich, he is harsh and hypocritical in his dealing with the girls at Lowood. He complains of the extra cost of bread given to the girls when the porridge was burnt and cannot even allow them curled hair. He argues that this is good for their spiritual development. He says, “You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls is, not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardy, patient, self-denying.” This he argues is to save their souls. When his plan for the is juxtaposed with the appearance of his daughters and wife who are elegantly dressed, we can only conclude that he is a hypocrite and a miser.

Rochester’s misfortunes in love and marriage are the other examples that illustrate Bronte’s condemnation of social class stratification. Rochester is exploited by Celine and is almost trapped into a loveless marriage with Blanche Ingram because he is rich. These two women pretend to in love with him only because o his money and social position. Again he is forced into a marriage with Bertha Mason by his father because he did not want to divide his estate nor have a son who was poor. Later in life Rochester come to suffer because of the actions of his father that were based on social class stratification. In the novel, Bronte projects are perception that class and wealth does not necessarily make you a better person. That is why it is the poor who are better people. For example when Jane inherits 20,000 pounds and divides it, she is doing a selfless but good act.
Love and marriage.
Charlotte presents the theme of love as the pivot around which all social interactions are based. The conflicts in the novel are either because of love or lack of it. It is present from two perspectives namely; interpersonal relationships and romance

As a ten-year-old orphan, Jane is aware of the lack of affection towards her in the Reeds household. Jane is instead beaten, isolated and insulted. This prompts her to say, “you think I have no feelings and that I cannot live without one bit of love or kindness, but I cannot live so, and you have no pity”. The above words show that like anyone else, Jane desires love, which is denied. Where there would have been love, hatred grows. On her deathbed, Mrs. Reeds confirms how she hated Jane, had sent her to school, told her uncle that she was dead and even refuses Jane’s attempts at reconciliation.
The above observations do not mean that Mrs. Reed is devoid of love. On the contrary, she showers love upon her son. The omniscient narrator observes that John Reed was spiteful, lazy and sickly, because of the too much love the mother showered on him. That is why he gets away with all the scandalous actions. More importantly though, is the fact that Mrs. Reed can neither control nor give her direction. This leads to the tragic end when John squanders the family fortune and commits suicide.

Jane’s relationship with Helen Burns and Miss Temple reflect affection. Jane is able to bear the hardships of Lowood because of the love the two give her. When Brocklehurst castigates her as a devil child, it is Helen who comes to comfort her and takes her to Miss Temple. She convinces her that Brocklehurst’s opinion does not matter at Lowood because he is not loved and in any case it is only the opinion of 80 girls and not the millions of people in the world that would be influence by his statement against Jane. Miss Temple assures her that she would write to Mr. Lloyd and if confirmed Jane’s side of the story, she would be absolved. She says, “I shall write to him if his reply agrees with your statement, you shall be publicly cleared from every imputation”. The promise is kept and Jane is cleared. The fact that Helen dies in Jane’s arms, justifies the assertion that their relationship exhibits strong love and affection. This strong love is further expressed in Jane’s action to put a tombstone on Helen’s grave”. For fifteen years after her death, a grassy mould only covered it, but now a grey marble tablet marks the stamp inscribed with her name, and the word “Resurgam”. The fact that Jane gives Helen a memorial shows that she loved and appreciated her for what she did for her at Lowood.

Jane extends love to and receives love from Adele, the lonely ward of Mr. Rochester and her pupil at Thornfield. When it looks like Mr. Rochester is going to marry Ingram, she extracts a promise from him to send Adele to school. This suggestion is provoked by her assessment of Ingram and the potential she had of mistreating her. She says, “In that case, Sir, Adele ought to go to school, I am sure you will perceive the necessary of it … who might otherwise walk over her rather too emphatically.” The walk over is a sure case because Jane had observed Ingram’s dislike of Adele at one time referring to here as a “tiresome monkey”. This goes to show the care and tender love Jane has for Adele. This can be traced further to when she returns to Fernden manor. Despite all her preoccupations, she inquires about Adele’s whereabouts. Upon visiting her at school she observes, “She looked pale and thin, she said she was not happy … I took her home with me”. The sense of care and concern shows the love she has for Adele.

Humane love is also exhibited in the person of St. John Rivers. He is a person who extends love to Jane when she is destitute. The servant, Hannah wants to send her to the cold fearing to displease her master and protecting the family from evil. However, St. John who is returning home intervenes. He gives her a home, treats her and gets her a job. “…you have done your duty in excluding, now let me do mine in admitting her ….” This may be explained as Christian humanism. But having come across Brocklehurst, his actions can only show love.

Another act of love and selflessness is to be discerned in Jane’s action to share her inheritance with the Rivers. John is astonished by her generosity when she tells him, “You cannot fail to see that twenty thousand pounds, the sum in question, divided equally between …. will give five thousand pounds to each.” It may be argued that Jane is buying relatives. This is far from the truth. The money was legally hers and these people were already bound to share the money, never the less she does. This is an aspect of love.

Romantic Love
Bronte explores the deep-rooted, passionate and mysterious emotions that connect two people despite the differences they have. This romantic love is developed using the relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane. Other characters and relationships are used only in as far as the illuminate the standard yardstick of love. It is indeed plausible to argue that the marriage between Rochester and Jane is the ultimate triumph of true love.

Love steadily but surely grows between Jane and Rochester despite the fact that they belong to different class. While observing Rochester and Ingram, Jane says, “I know I must conceal my sentiments, I must smother hope … I mean only that I have certain tastes and feelings in common with him. I must than repeat continually that we are for ever sundered and yet, while I breathe and think I must love him”. In an attempt to suppress the love she feels, which she thinks is impossible to admit its existence, Jane forces herself to paint portraits of Ingram to act as a reminder of the impossibility of her claiming Rochester as a lover. That she goes to this extent shows how deeply in love with Rochester.

Despite such strong protests, we find that Jane and Rochester are destined to be together since they first meeting when Rochester returns. This is reflected in her insistence to attend to him when he falls off his horse. She says, “I cannot think of leaving you sir, at so late an hour, in this solitary place” Even if they are strangers, the care and love is evident. This later in the novel becomes a pattern. She saves him from a fire, stands by him when Mason is stabbed. The point to observe is that the trust Rochester has for Jane and her willingness to help him is because of the deep connection they share.

As observed earlier, Jane vows never to entertain the possibility of loving Rochester but when he teasingly tells her that he is sending her to Ireland, she cannot contain herself. Her outburst, “I have known you, Mr. Rochester, and it strikes me with terror and anguish to feel I absolutely must be torn from you for ever” is a clear demonstration of true love. Since love is a feeling that cannot be controlled, neither Jane nor Rochester can do anything to avoid the inevitable. Consequently after being reassured that Jane loved him as mush as he did, Rochester proposes; “you Jane, I must have you for my own, entirely my own. Will you be mine? Say yes quickly”. The urgency in Rochester’s voice and the disbelief in Jane’s questions show profound love.

Their happiness is short lived. This is because the wedding is stopped because Rochester is married. Despite the pain and the fact that she runs away, they still love each other. Jane says, “but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it” it is the same sentiment with Rochester. He says, “All happiness will be torn away with you. What then is left?” this clearly shows that despite the tragic separation, they are still in love. This explains why later Jane abandons St. John on hearing the telepathic message. “Jane, Jane, Jane”. The reconciliation that ends in marriage, a son and the regaining of sight and he eventually recovered the sight of that one eye. “This makes they story of happy ending because of the strong love they have for each other.

To bring out the pure love shared between Jane and Rochester, Bronte contrasts it with other characters. The most significant is the courtship between Rochester and Ingram. Rochester tells Jane that Ingram was only interested in his money. “Impossible when I told you how she on the contrary deserted me. The idea of my insolvency cooled, or rather extinguished her flame in a moment.” This shows that Ingram’s pretence of loving Rochester is materialistic and based on class and status but not on true love.

Mercenary love is also revealed in the relationship between Rochester and Celine. When explaining the parentage of Adele to Jane, Rochester says that Celine had duped him and on the discovery of her lies, she dumps a child with him. “This passion Celine had professed to return with even superior ardour. He thought himself an idol, ugly as he was …” This is proved wrong when Rochester catches her with a lover bad mouthing him.

Rochester’s marriage is another example of love based on money and social status. His father forces him to marry Bertha Mason so that he can get 30,000 pounds. The father reckons that this would remove the necessity to divide the family estate. Ironically the father and brother die, leaving Rochester rich but saddled with a mad wife. He laments, “I thought I loved her … a marriage was achieved almost before I knew where I was ... I married her gross, grovelling, mole eyed, blockhead that I was …”. Bronte is to be as debunking marriage and love based on money.

Jane rejects St. John and marries Rochester because the former’s proposal is based on Jane’s utility as a missionary wife and not love. Though they would be suited for each other, it is evident that there is no love between them. This is because St. John loved Rosemont, whom he rejected because she would not manage the life of a missionary wife.

Women emancipation
The position of women as portrayed in the novel is symptomatic of the Victoria era in England. The position of women is pathetic. Women are seen as of no value to society. They were expected to depend on their male relatives, get married or become servants, despite their qualities. His is evidenced among other things, the fact that Jane Eyre is published under the Pseudo Curr Bell.

The degradation of women is seen in the fact that fathers spent money to get their daughters married. Mr. Mason sets out 30,000 pounds so that Rochester can marry his daughter. It could be the reason why Georgina Reed fails to get a serious suitor as John Reed squanders the family fortune. Diana and Mary seem destined to lives of servitude, until Jane shares her inheritance with them. Jane says, “they were under a yoke - I could free them, they were scattered – I could reunite them. The independence …” Highly accomplished and intelligent young women like Diana and Mary to be put under the yoke of such magnitude because they have no fortune, clearly shows that perception of women in society was pathetic.

The description of the life of Eliza shows how women are treated. We are told that she spent her time reading, stitching, working on her diary, kitchen and garden. This is a clear portray of a female sex, thought to be worth nothing. The creation of Jane who is intelligent, independent and courageous reveal Bronte’s intention to show that women are as capable as men. This is reflected in the fact that Eliza in the Reed family is a more focussed and successful person than the brother John Reed who squanders the family fortune.

Religion
Christianity is the dominant religion in the Victorian society that is tackled in Jane Eyre. Bronte explores two facets of Christianity in the novel. These are the hypocritical for exhibition type of Christianity on one hand, and the honest humane- Christ like Christianity on the other hand. This is done through characterization, setting and style. To this end, she creates two religious men who are contrasted to show the different strands of Christianity they stand for. It is also a reflection of the religious perceptions of society.

Right from the time the reader comes across Brocklehurst, it is evident that he is not a good person. When Jane meets him at Gateshead she observes thus about him, “I looked up at a black pillar, such at least, appeared to me, at first sight … The grim face at the top was like a curved mask...” The first impression is very revealing. The images of “black” and a mask are devilish and not Christian. This clearly creates the impression that he does not possess Christian attributes. Later on when he uses fear to cower Jane, we see lack of Christian spirit. He reprimands Jane acting on the misinformation from Mrs. Reed says, “… all liars will have their portion in the lake burning with fire and brimstone”. We come to understand that Brocklehurst is using Christianity to selfishly uphold the upper class status quo and not to advance the principles of Christianity.

His stinginess at Lowood does not only make the girls suffer but lead to the typhus fever. When he scolds Miss Temple for giving the girls a slice of bread when the porridge is burnt, on account that it is extravagant, he is clearly seen as the anti- Christ. He says, “You are aware that my plan is bringing up these girls, is not to accustom them to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardly, patient, self denying.” This is contrary to his own family who are extravagantly dressed. This clearly reveals that aspect of Christianity that is hypocritical and self-serving to the upper class. It is used to divide rather than unite and treat people equally as Christ teaches it should be. It should be pointed out that Brocklehurst uses Christianity as a cover of his weakness. Therefore Bronte projects Christianity among the middle class as cosmetic tool that the hypocrites use to cover their short comings and weakness.

Helen Burns, contrary to Brocklehurst’s brand of Christianity presents the real Christian values of humility forgiveness and complete trust and surrender to God. When Jane wonders why she lets Miss Scatchard unfairly punish her, she says, “read the new testament, and observe what Christ says, and how he acts, make his word your role and his conduct your example.” This reveals the true nature of Christianity. Though it could be argued that it perpetrates injustice because it withholds revenge, it can lead to a creation of a peaceful world, the ultimate end of Christianity which love and peace to all mankind.

Helen’s brand of Christianity takes a perspective that calls for total surrender to the will of God. To this effect she tells Jane that she endures all the mistreatment she is subjected because of the hope that a time would come when she would find a resting place in heaven. It is this hope of a better future and the acknowledgement that human beings have weakness and needs that Bronte thinks is the ultimate revelation the true Christian spirit.

Another character used by Bronte to portray the theme of Christianity is St John Rivers. St John Rivers is the curate who is shown in a positive light. That he is handsome becomes the out world representation of his inner goodness. The goodness is seen in the way he comes to Jane’s aid. Hannah chases her away but he takes her in. In admitting her he says, “Now let me do mine in admitting her”. In so doing, he saves Jane from certain death from hunger and the bad weather. It is not only Jane that he shows kindness to. It should be noted that he starts a school in Morton to cater for the children of the poor. This is to give the children of the poor to learn and improve their lives. He also plans and actually leaves England for India not only to spread the word of God, but also to minister to the needs of the poor and the less privileged. These actions show a man who is selfless in the spirit of Christianity. He puts aside personal comforts to attend to others the case in point is when he goes out in bad weather to attend to a dying woman.

The only blemish on St. John’s credentials as a true Christian is his use of Christianity as a form of blackmail to try to force Jane accept his proposed of marriage. He argues with Jane thus, “But I listen to my duty, and keep steadily in view my first aim is to do all things to the glory of God, give you strength to choose that better part which shall not be taken from you”. In fact he is blackmailing Jane to marry him. This is selfish and calculating. When this is added to the fact that being a missionary means abandoning his family, the questions about his intentions do arise. A s his sisters argue he could do a lot in England compared to what he accomplishes in India. This reveals him as selfish and headstrong-negative character traits-but in no way demeaning his Christian credentials. This mainly because Christianity is first and foremost love.

Suffering
Bronte also explores the potential of man to suffer but come out successfully at the end. Suffering is one of the themes that is predominant in the novel. This in form of both physical and psychological forms. There is a lot of suffering exposed in the novel, among which is the problem of child abuse in the Victorian society. This does take place both at home and school. Jane Eyre is an epitome of suffering in the novel because of the violence that she is subjected to in the Reed household.

At Gateshead, John Reed physically abuses her. It has become a pattern that when he orders Jane to stand in a position to throw a book at her, she is not surprised. She says, “He barked and punished me, not twice or three times in a week, nor once or twice in a day, but continually. Every nerve I had feared him”. The adverb continually shows that the beating and punishments are habitual and she suffers them all the time.
On top of the physical suffering, she is also psychologically tortured. She is isolated from the rest of the family. At the start of the novel she explains, “…me, she had dispensed from joining the group, saying, she regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance”. Further on when she fights with John, she is shut in the red room that is believed to be haunted. This is what makes her believe that she had seen the ghost of the late Mr. Reed. Mrs. Reed shows no mercy when she cries out and offers to be punished in any other way. She cries out to Mrs. Reed who shoves her back in the room. She observes thus, “Mrs. Reed, impatient of my now frantic anguish and wild sobs, abruptly thrust me back and locked me in, without further parley”. For a young child who believes that she had seen a ghost, such treatment she receives clearly shows that she is treated badly.

Consequently, she falls sick and later on has to be sent to school – along way off and in the cold winter alone. When the fact that Mrs. Reed through Brocklehurt connives to label her liar is put into context and bearing in mind the anguish she goes through when Brocklehurst denounces to the school as a lair, her suffering is clearly shown.

Her suffering intensifies at Lowood. Though she is rarely beaten, the conditions are rather harsh. Inadequate clothing, food, strict and regimental routine plus the harsh weather conditions make her life a misery. She reports that, “Our clothing was insufficient to protect us from the severe cold, we had no boots, the snow got into our shoes, and melted there, our ungloved hands became numbed and covered with chilblains, as were our feet”. The above passage sounds like a list of physical discomforts that Jane and the other girls suffer from. When Brocklehurst parades her and tells everyone she is a liar, Jane is devastated. About her assumed disgrace she says, “here I lay again crushed and trodden on, and could I ever rise more? Never, I thought and ardently I wished to die”. This is the ultimate point of her suffering because of the connivance of Mrs. Reed and the gullible Brocklehurst.

Jane encounters physical sufferings when she runs away from Thornfield. She wanders across the moors, lonely, cold, hungry and penniless. Very few come to her rescue before St. John saves her. she is resigned to die. She says, “ This was the climax. A pang of exquisite suffering – a thing of true despair – rent and heaved my heart”. It is understandable that she wishes for death. “ I can but die, I said, “ and believe in God. Let me try to wait his will in silence” this clearly shows the level of suffering she has to endured before she is saved by the kindness of St John Rivers.

At Thorn field and Morton, Jane suffers psychologically because of love. When it appears that Rochester is to marry Ingram, Jane is tormented. She confides in the reader thus, “I must then repent continually that we are forever sundered.” When the above passage is put into the context more especially when Jane tells the readers saying, “I have told you, reader that I had learnt to love Mr. Rochester, I could not unlove him now, …”. It becomes clear that she is tormented. Tormented with love, her suffering is further seen when the marriage is broken up on the discovery that Rochester is already married. Jane shuts herself in her room to sob. “The waters came into my soul, the tears a physical expression of her internal turmoil.” She is divided between doing the right and legal thing and giving in to her love for Rochester. She again says, “…but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is inevitable. I cannot do it”. We can well imagine the suffering she goes through in order to leave Rochester.
It is not only Jane who suffers in the novel. Other characters that suffer include Helen Burns. Her suffering is basically physical. It is true that all the girls lead a life of suffering at Lowood. However, Miss Scatchard singles out Helen Burns for further suffering. Jane observes that, “but that teacher, Miss Scatchard is so cruel to you” and advises her to run away or take to revenge. Though Helen response is following the Christian teaching of forgiveness that is to say she prefers to turn the “other cheek.” But it is obvious that she is mistreated and therefore she is subjected to suffering.

Despite his class and property, Rochester suffers emotionally. This is because of the relationships he has had until he meets Jane. He is forced to marry for money, a wife who ends up mad and whom he has to conceal from the public. Even the lovers he takes like Celine Varens are only interested in his money. Take for example the fact that she is insulted by people he believes are inferior to him in his hearing. The duel with Varens’ lover is manifestation of this suffering. When the truth of his marriage is revealed, he says, “this form with that bulk, then judge me finest of the gospel and man of the law, and remember with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged”. The bitterness in his statement can only reflect one thing: and that is suffering for having lived such a life.

Rochester’s anguish could be equated to St. John River’s over Miss Rosemond. She is the woman he loves but cannot marry her because she is not suited for the life of a missionary’s wife. He confides in Jane thus, “She is lovely, he murmured, she is well named, the Rose of the world, indeed”. The above observation shows that he loves her but because “reason and not feelings, is my guide”. That stops him from marrying the woman he loves.



NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES
First person narrator
This is reflected in the use of the first person singular pronoun I, this represents the main character of the novel, Jane in the large part of the text and Rochester when he explains the Celine Varens and Bertha Mason episodes.

The first person narrator directly tells the reader what happens to her. This is first seen when Jane reports of her fight with John, “I knew he would soon strike.” This helps the reader experience, observe and analyze the way of life that she leads at Gateshead. It exposes the theme of suffering and child abuse as discussed in the novel.

It also helps the reader relate the story in the novel to the title. That is to say the I of the story is the Jane that the novel is about. For example she says, “I mused on the disgusting and ugly appearance of him” the ‘I” is in this case the Jane of the title.

This technique makes the story credible, believable and enjoyable by appealing to the readers. For example when Jane says, “Reader, I had learnt to love Rochester. I could not unlearn to love him” She calls on the reader to believe her that she genuinely loved Rochester and as such it was and would be hard for any one to un love the person they loved so much. This technique helps the author to advance the theme of love. At the same time it show Jane as a honest.

It also helps in the development of the plot of the novel. I becomes the constant at Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Morton and Fernden. From the point of view of plot, the first person helps link the different settings and episodes of the novel. For example Jane is the thread that links the different places of the novel. It follows that the linkage in setting and plot are of thematic significance because where the leading character happens to be is where the thematic actions are. The theme of suffering, through the use of the first person is seen in all scenes of setting and this continually exposition reinforces and gives different perspective of the theme.

Rochester uses the first person in flashback about his life. He uses it to explain the way he feels about and the circumstances of his betrayal by Celine and how he came to marry Bertha Mason. It should be agued that Rochester is the one who has gone through this betrayal and disappointment and therefore he is the one best placed to tell the readers about it. Further still his stories go a long way to illustrate the theme of mercenary love. Rochester’s misfortunes show that the affairs he has with Celine on one hand and Bertha on the other hand is based on money.

Flashback
This is a technique when there is a break of the narration of the story to report or write about something that happened in the past but is of relevance to the present action. This is used to fill in the missing marks and explain the mysteries in the plot. For example Rochester uses this technique to explain to Jane his affair with Celine. This explanation is relevant because it shows the mercenary love (love based on money and material expectation) The other importance is that the fact that Rochester feels obliged to explain to Jane shows that he is truly in love with her.

The flashback also helps explain the mystery of Adele and why he is living at Thorn field. Because Adele is abandoned by her mother is the reason why Rochester takes care of her. This does not only explain Adele’s existence at Thornfield as well as the themes of materialistic love but also child abuse and suffering as themes in the novel. In term of characterisation Rochester is projected as a good, kind and caring character.

The circumstances of his marriage to Bertha that is kept as a family secret is also revealed through the use of a flashback At first it is Mrs. Fairfax who tells Jane about the explanation of why Rochester is rarely at home. She vaguely tells Jane of the family quarrel between Rochester and his father as well as brother. In the flashback again, it is confirmed by Rochester himself on the day of the aborted marriage, when he to Jane how and why he came to marry Bertha Mason. This was because his father did not want to divide the family estate between the two brothers and at the same time not wanting one to lead a poor life. This supports the themes of class stratification and materialistic love and marriage.

Jane’s reunion with Rochester at Fernden is also told as a flashback. It is the inn keeper who fills in Jane and us of what had happen to Rochester after Jane had left Thorn field. He tells the reader how Rochester had searched for Jane everywhere and also the tragedy of the fire. It is during the fire that Bertha dies and Rochester is maimed. The fact that he searched for Jane that far and hard confirms the fact that he loved Jane. At the same time that he attempts to rescue Bertha re-echoes his king and courageous character. Therefore by use of the flashback we learn of those events that happen during our absence.

The use of the flashback is made necessary because of the predominant use of the first person. The flashback is used as a way of checking or corroborating the impression of the main character who happens to tell the story. Further still, it gives the narrator the leeway of talk about those things that would be hard to talk about in a convincing way.
Description
The language in the novel is very elaborate. This is used to give the reader a clear and detailed view of characters, setting and homes. Jane describes Ingram as “…and that her qualifications were ill adapted to win from him that treasure” she also refers to Brocklehurst as “a black tower”. The above description is very useful in giving the readers an insight into the character traits of the character. The description for example of the dump and rain at Gateshead, coldness and fog at Lowood, the vastness and brightness of Thornfield are described to project a symbolic significance that is tied with Jane’s suffering in the novel.

Dialogue
There are several passages in the novel that have characters conversing. The most outstanding though are those where Jane interacts with other leading characters like Rochester, ST. John and Mrs. Reed. With this technique, Bronte lets the characters speak for themselves and when they do the readers get to know their feelings, attitudes towards other characters or situations. This is seen in John Reed’s statement to Jane, “you are dependent, mama says you have no money,” the above statement by John Reed reveals not only Jane’s discrimination and suffering but also the discrimination is subjected to in the novel.

However, Helen Burns statement, “Read the New Testament and observe what Christ says, and how he acts, make his word your role and his conduct your example” during her conversation with Jane about the unfair punishments she is subjected to, reveals the humane side of Christianity.

There are other dialogues like when Rochester proposes to Jane. This dialogue whereby he first teases her that he was going to marry Ingram. Jane confesses to her that she can not survive without him. This dialogue amplifies the theme of true love that exists between Jane and Rochester. The other proposal is when St. John proposes to Jane. During this dialogue it is clear that St John does not love Jane and is only interested in her abilities. Therefore her rejection of his proposal underscores the perception that marriage should be based on love.

The other important dialogue is when Jane’s identity is discovered. Immediately she learns that she is related to the Rivers, She says, “Write to Diana and Mary tomorrow, tell them to come home directly…” It is at this point that she reveals that she is going to divide her inheritance amongst the four of them. This tells the reader a lot about Jane’s generosity.

Summary
Summary is a technique used to fill up the missing links within the plot. The most notable is the last chapter of the novel when Jane in a summary explains what happens to each of the character. We are told of the marriages of Diana and Mary and also of St John’s missionary activities in India, which claim his life. This is basically to end the story and plot smoothly.

Likewise after the funeral of Mrs. Reeds, before returning to Thornfield, Jane explains what happened to the surviving Rivers. She tells the readers that Georgina got married to a man of society, while Eliza joins a French nunnery where she eventually becomes the Mother Superior. This is to neatly explain them out of the story and plot. This means that the different stories are neatly solved and therefore, the readers have no puzzling thoughts of what happened to which character.



Language and dialects
Bronte chooses her language for each character very carefully. This helps these characters to fit, in terms of their traits and themes they represent. John Rivers for example says, “Now let me do mine in admitting her”. In saving Jane, St. John is shown as well learned and God inspired Christian leader. His Christian foil, Brocklehurst says, “all liars will have portion in the lake burning with fire and brimstone”. The above statement if taken in context: specifically that is said to a ten-year-old girl he is revealed as harsh, insensitive and hypocritical. Ingram calls Adele “ a tiresome monkey” to an innocent well-meaning child ironically disclose the hypocrisy of the middle class.

Dialect is also used to identify and classify the different characters. For example during her stay and work at Morton, She observes that the girls she teaches have a dialect. This means that they speak differently. The same applies to the servants like Bessie at Gateshead, Hannah at Morton and John at Thorn field speak differently from their masters. The differences in speech, emphasis the theme of social class division.

Letters.
The use of letters is another technique that is used in the novel. The letters are used to advance the plot of the novel and solve the mysteries there in. We come to know why the wedding between Jane and Rochester when Mr Briggs informs us, “when your uncle received your letter informing the contemplated union between your self and Mr. Rochester The letter explains why the wedding is stopped in the first place and it is in a way a test of the strength of the Rochester - Jane Love.

The other case of letter writing used as a narrative technique is when Rochester writes to Mrs. Fairfax to prepare the house for visitors. The omniscient narrator says, “Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight when the past brought Mrs. Fairfax a letter”. This advances the plot in that it prepares us for the visitors and the explication of the themes of class stratification and love. This is because it is after the arrival of Ingram that Jane examines her true feelings towards Rochester. At the same time Ingram’s rejection of Rochester, allegedly because the Gypsy woman tells her he is not as rich as she had initially thought him to be, shows the readers that her love for Rochester was based on money and material property.

The other case is the letter that St. John Rivers received from the solicitor Briggs. St John explains to Jane that the solicitor had written to him because the heiress-Jane-could not be found. The importance of this letter is that it reveals the relationship between them. It also reveals the generous trait of Jane on the account that she decides to share her inheritance with the Rivers. Further still Jane’s motivation to share the 20,000 pounds is to give Diana and Mary a chance to become independent, thus the revelation of the theme of the position of women in society. That is they could survive only as servants or dependants of their male relatives.

Symbolism
Symbolism is defined as the use of objects, people or situation to represent ideas. In Jane Eyre several objects are used to represent ideas in the novel. These include the weather and environment like at Gateshead and Lowood the harsh weather condition symbolise the suffering Jane has to endure. Jane informs the reader at the start of the novel that, “there was no possibility of … the cold winter wind had brought with it, clouds ….” This helps us to appreciate the suffering Jane goes through inform of being isolated from the rest of the family. It is conceivable to argue that had the weather been fine, may be she would have gone out to play and therefore would have not been so miserable. The same can be said of Lowood where the cold weather not only makes life difficult for the girls, but also leads to the out break of the typhus fever that kills over 45 girls.

The thunder that splits the chestnut tree on the night that Rochester proposes to Jane is another symbol. Jane narrates thus, “Before I left my bed in the morning,, little Adele came running in to tell me that the great horse chestnut at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by … and half of it had split away” The split of the tree under which the proposal had been made and accepted prophetically symbolises the separation between Jane and Rochester. However, the fact that the split of the tree is not complete, leaves the hope that they would reunite at point of some time in the future.

The torn veil is another symbol used to show the separation between Jane and Rochester, “Sir, it removed my veil from its gaunt head, rent it to two pats and flinging both on the floor, trampled on them.” That it is done by Bertha shows that Jane and Rochester would only live happily after Rochester has been set free by the death of Bertha which come to pass at the end of the novel.

Whit cross is another symbol that shows Jane’s suffering and dilemma. The narrator describes it as follows, “Whit cross is no town, nor even a hamlet; it is but a stone pillar set up where four roads meet …” The four roads represent the different alternatives open to her. The dilemma is weather she will choose the right one. She could have gone back and lived in sin with Rochester or could have left him. In the end she chooses the path of suffering in order to realize her true love for Rochester.



Nomenclature
This is a technique whereby the author’s choice of name given to characters suits or reflects their traits. In this way the character’s name defines what type of person he/she is. In the novel names reflect what the characters are.

Jane as name reflects the simplicity and plainness of Eyre. The telepathetic call allegedly by Rochester, “Jane, Jane, Jane”, in combination with the portrait she paints of Ingram to convince her self that there was no way she could be loved by Rochester, show that she is plain. Therefore, her plainness goes a long to justify the assertion that the love between them is pure and true. This is because their love is based on their internal qualities and not external appearances.

Miss Temple carries the qualities of religious humanism in that she is not only graceful but also kind and fair. This is made clear in Jane’s description of Miss Temple on the night she arrives at Lowood. In the course of her association with Jane she does many things to prove that she is a good person. This is seen in her promise to write to Mr. Lloyd and when the reply is got, Jane is rehabilitated. She also gives the girls a piece of bread when the porridge is burnt and tea to Jane and Helen. Her kindness differentiates her from other teachers that when she leaves, Jane also leaves.

St. John Rivers act as a saint that his name suggests. When her chases Jane away, it is him who allows her in and his family cares for her. He says, “…you have done your duty in excluding, now let me do mine in admitting her”. He thus saves Jane from sure death. This spirit of saintly sacrifices is further seen when he leaves his family to do missionary work and also on the night he goes out during terrible weather to attend to the dying woman, not to mention sacrificing marrying Rosemond. About leaving England he says, “Relinquish what! My vocation? My great work?, My foundation laid on earth for a mansion I heaven? This bringing out the good nature of St. John.

Helen Burns is yet another character whose name reflects her character traits. The name Burns indeed reflect the fact that she burns with the fever which ultimately leads to her death. She does not only burn with a fever of death , but also burns with passion, love and humanism. She tells Jane before she dies, “I am sure there is a future state; I believe God is good and I can resign my immortal part to Him without any misgiving. God is my father; God is my friend; I love Him; I believe He loves me.” This clearly demonstrates the passion of her faith is God.

Nomenclature extends even to other characters like Mrs. Reed. Her name is derived from a reed, a plant that is known for its hardness. Like a reed, the portrayal of Mrs. Reed in the novel shares the characteristics of this plant. She is hard hearted as seen among other things, when she shoves Jane back into the red room despite her pleas.

Miss Scatchard is another character whose name reflects her character traits. This is because her name rhymes with the word scratch. In the novel we find her treatment of Helen unfair and unreasonable. This is true with scratches that her name denotes.

Brocklehurst’s name is another that is nomenclature in nature. The names rhymes with the word block. From the description that Jane makes of him, as black pillar, marble plus the association of the colour black with him, his name denotes a hard hearted, evil and miserly person. This is what he is in the novel as seen in the way he mistreats the girls. In fact it is only when he is removed from the responsibilities of running Lowood the conditions in the school improve.
Rochester is another character whose name reflect his qualities. His name rhyme with the word rooster (cock). As such he is portrayed as the archetypal male. Though he is not handsome, he is the one who wins Jane’s love. Therefore he reflects the essential qualities of a man and that is why Jane falls in love with him.

The places (setting) of the novel is also used to reflect the conditions of the place. Places like Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield and Fernden help the reader understand why what happen happens. Gateshead carries the meaning of the start and in the novel this is the start not only Jane’s life but also her suffering. Lowood has the connotation of the wood low. And this is reflected in the low spirits of the girls at Lowood because of the hard conditions they live under. Thorn field anticipates difficulties and paradoxically happiness. This is reflect in the fact that it is here that Jane is happy as she falls in love with Rochester, but this happiness is not for long.

CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISATION
Jane
She is the leading character and the novel is about her life. In the course of the novel several aspects of her character are shown. One of which is the fact that she is courageous. This is seen in the way she stands up to Mrs. Reed, “I am glad you are no relation of mine, I will never call you aunt again as long as I live”. This courage is reflected in other sections of the novel like when she is left with Mason.

She is self willed and independent. She doesn’t only support herself but cannot compromise her principles she rejects Rochester because she knows it is the right thing to do. She finally marries Rochester out of love and not because of his wealth, which at that time has considerably reduced.
She is kind and loving. Helen Burns dies in her arms as well as the compassion she shows to Adele. When she marries Rochester, she gets her from school and when it looks like Ingram was going to marry Rochester she asks him to send Adele to school.

She is also selfless. When she inherits the 20,000 pounds. She shares it out with her cousins. Despite the suffering Mrs. Reeds inflicted on her, she forgives her at the end. For example her decision to share out the 20,000 pounds is not as much as to buy favour with the Rivers, but to improve they conditions. She believes that with 5,000 pounds, the girls would get married and possibly John would stay in England. Therefore her action is for their sake.

She is realistic. This seen of St. Johns proposal because she knew he doesn’t love her. That is why she rejects his proposal of marriage and instead proposes that they go to India as brother and sister. She also realizes that Ingram pretends to love Rochester when she is interested in his money and position. At the same time she is aware of the social and class obstacles to her love and relationship with Rochester.

She is honest. This is seen in her reply to Rochester when he asks her if she finds him handsome. Her answer is that she does not, an answer that impresses Rochester very much. There are other instances when she is seen as honest. For example when she rejects St. John’s proposal of marriage because she does not love him and neither does he.

Rochester
Rochester is one of the most lovable characters in English literature. In spite of or perhaps even because of his faults and appearance. He is not handsome as Jane tells him after he had asked her, “…do you think me handsome?’ His lack of beauty is compensated by his other traits

He is a kind and caring man. Though he pretends that he hates children, he loves and pampers Adele, listens to her and brings her gifts. This is in spite of the fact that her mother had betrayed him and that she wasn’t even his child.

He is selfish especially when we explore his attempt to marry Jane when he is already married. This has often been explained as a result of his desperate situation “that is my wife, said he … and this is what I wished to have …”

He is loving. This is seen in his affection to Jane, a woman he believes had the ability to end his suffering. “I figured courtship of Miss Ingram, because I wished to render you as madly in love with me as I was with you” this cunning scheme as well as the episode of the Gipsy woman clearly show that he was in love with Jane. The anguish can that bring Jane to her is further illustrations.

He is also disillusioned. This is revealed in the two flashbacks about his life. The marriage to a mad woman for money and being betrayed by Celine leaves him a bitter man. He confesses to Jane this, “I have been a worldly, dissipated, restless man, and I believe I have found the instrument of my cure in …”

He is optimistic. This is because of his problems he is till believes he can find the companionship of a woman who would be all that his wife was not. This woman is in form of Jane who, even when the marriage is unearthed he pleads with her to leave with him to Europe.

Rochester is also short tempered. This is seen in the brusque way he deals with Mason and the servants when the marriage is aborted. This is further seen in his comments about children when he tells Jane that he does not want to spend all his time with children.

St. John Rivers
In character and form, he is the typical hero. His good looks correspond with his good heart. Jane describes him thus, “he was young – perhaps from twenty eight to thirty – tall slender his face riveted the eye, it was like a Greek face …..” In the novel he does one good thing after the other. These good deeds include his rescue of Jane, setting up a school for the poor in Morton and ultimately his going as a missionary to India.

He is kind and caring. This is not only seen in the way he takes care of Jane but also in the attention to the poor people in his parish. He also gives out his bad weather to attend to the dying woman when he is called.

He is selfless. He leaves his family and love- Rosamond Oliver to go and do missionary work. He sees his feelings for Rosamond as a momentarily weakness “ an entanglement or two of the feelings… also conflict with human weakness.”

He is obstinate and self-willed. He cannot be convinced to abandon his missionary vision. “God had an errand for me … to bear a far, to deliver it well … for these all centre in the good missionary.”

His is hardhearted and callous at times. This is seen in his torment of Jane to marry him and serve God and forget her passionate love with Rochester. Jane’s summation is on the mark. He is a good and great man, but he forgets, pitilessly, the feelings and claims of little people in pursuing his own large views.

NOTE
The rest of the characters are mere types who are used to advance the certain themes and ideas in the plot. These include, Ingram, Mrs. Reed sisters and brother, the Rivers sisters, Brocklehurst, the servants, Miss Temple and Helen Burns as discussed in the section dealing with nomenclature.