Jane Eyre - Extract & Essay
Personal answer to the 2016 summer past paper (Jane Eyre.)
Extract –
Within the extract, the relationship between Rochester and Jane is presented as unbalanced
and mostly controlled by Rochester. The extract mostly explores the passion that Rochester
has for pursuing their relationship however, it’s clear that as his opinions become stronger,
Jane’s own feelings are weakened. This is shown within the phrase ‘he pursued his theme,
however, without noticing my deprecation’ which conveys the strong insecurity that Jane
feels in her relationship, as she feels deflated knowing that her ‘partner’ doesn’t notice how
uncomfortable she is in certain situations. Especially emphasised through both characters
reactions to the idea of marriage, with Rochester being excited and Jane feelings
underserving of it. This idea is also shown through the questioning from Jane, ‘Shall I travel?
– and with you, sir?’ highlighting this idea of how unsure and unconfident she is of her
position as his partner, portraying a feeling of discomfort from Jane.
Another idea, in some elements of the extract, Rochester is presented as patronising
towards Jane by Bronte which may depict some of the Victorian equality issues at the time,
where some women were seen as possessions of them. Power balance is seen as a huge
issue throughout the extract, as it’s clear that they are both completely different people,
with Rochester coming from a wealthy, educated, easy lifestyle and Jane having to work for
what see’s got whilst also having to deal with the societal problems of being a working
women in the Victorian Era.
The use of the possessive verbs used throughout the extract, depicts the idea that
Rochester feels that he owns her and needs to show his wealthy to remain worthy of the
marraige, the way that he would need to. For example, the way he wants to ‘stamp a patent
of nobility’ on her forehead and ‘clasp’ bracelets on her wrists,’ creates feelings of
imprisonment and isolation, as it seems that the only way Rochester can stay, will be to
show his wealth and spoil her and Jane feels trapped and can’t escape.
The sense of ownership by Rochester within their relationship is also conveyed through
Rochester’s excessive use of the possessive pronoun ‘my’ as it implements that Jane must
stay with him, creating a controlling and toxic environment, but for Jane she finally feels
that she has a sense of stability and real love, whether it be patronising or not. For example,
the way Rochester describes a Jane as ‘my treasure’,and ‘my Jane’ shows how much he
really does care about her. However, it may also imply how reliant he is on Jane.
Lastly, it’s also clear that Bronte presents Jane as being undeserving of their relationship and
the overly-loving affection and compliments which Rochester is giving her. The comical
reaction, ‘I laughed at him,’ of Jane to Rochester calling her his ‘angel’ is seen to be
completely disapproved by Jane, which shows how different they really are, simply
juxtaposes each other. The metaphorical description of Jane describing herself as ‘a jay in
borrowed plumes’, depicts the idea that she feels uncomfortable and overdressed to what
she normally wears, and also the phrase ‘I laughed at him’ shows how comical Jane views
Rochester’s views on her, when he calls her his ‘angel’ which is seen to be completely
disapproved by Jane, as she simply just doesn’t feel that comfortable with the endless
amounts of flattery.
