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Sample Essay Questions and Skeletal Answers Jane Eyre A level WJEC
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Questions with skeletal answers for revision of Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
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1.How does Charlotte Brontë incorporate elements of the
Gothic tradition into the novel?
In the Gothic literary tradition, the narrative structure of a
text is meant to evoke a sense of horror or suspense,
often through the use of the supernatural, hidden secrets,
mysterious characters, and dark passion. Brontë
incorporates each of these elements into the novel and
especially highlights the importance of the mysterious
Byronic hero in the form of Mr. Rochester. Brontë also
emphasizes the Gothic nature of Thornfield Hall and
incorporates the figure of the Madwoman in the Attic as
the primary conflict of the novel. Brontë uses these
Gothic elements as a way to heighten the tension and
emotion over the course of the narrative, as well as to
reveal an almost supernatural connection between Jane
and Mr. Rochester.
2.
Is Jane Eyre a likable protagonist? Why or why not?
Jane is an atypical heroine for the Victorian period, and
even for contemporary literature, because she is not
beautiful in a traditional sense. Unlike Georgiana and
Blanche Ingram, who are each lauded as exceptional
beauties in the text, Jane is small and slight, with ordinary
features and a slightly elvish appearance. With that in
mind, Jane is particularly likable protagonist because she
is not an idealized figure; her personal and physical faults
make her seem more realistic and allow readers to relate
to her more closely. At the same time, however, Jane's
firm morality and harsh rejection of Mr. Rochester may
seem rather cold and unlikable to the more passionate
readers. Still, Jane's independent spirit and courage
against all obstacles ensure that she is a protagonist to
be valued and encouraged.
3.
How does Jane Eyre compare to Bertha Mason?
, As the stereotypical Madwoman in the Attic, Bertha is
presented as a clear antagonist to Jane in the novel. Not
only does she personify the chaos and dark animal
sensuality that contrasts so sharply to Jane's calm
morality, Bertha is ultimately the sole obstacle between
Jane and Mr. Rochester and their eventual happiness.
However, while Jane and Bertha seem to be wholly
distinct from each other, Bronte does suggest that the
two characters have significant similarities. Although Jane
is calm and controlled as an adult, she exhibits much of
the same passion and bestiality as a child that Bertha
displays in her madness. Moreover, though Jane leaves
Thornfield rather than become Mr. Rochester's mistress,
she still possesses the same qualities of sensuality as
Bertha but is simply more successful at suppressing
them.
4.
How does the novel comment on the position of women in
Victorian society?
As a woman, Jane is forced to adhere to the strict
expectations of the time period. Thought to be inferior to
men physically and mentally, women could only hope to
achieve some sort of power through marriage. As a
governess, Jane suffers under an even more rigid set of
expectations that highlight her lower-class status. With
this social construct in mind, Jane has a submissive
position to a male character until the very end of the
novel. At Lowood, she is subservient to Mr. Brocklehurst;
at Moor House, she is under the direct control of St. John
Rivers; and even at Thornfield, she is in a perpetually
submissive position to Mr. Rochester. Over the course of
the narrative, Jane must escape from each of these
inferior positions in an effort to gain her own
independence from male domination. After her uncle
leaves her his fortune, Jane is able to achieve this
independence and can marry Mr. Rochester on her own
terms, as an equal. Yet, Bronte emphasizes that Jane's
sudden inheritance and resulting happy ending are not
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