Level 7 Notes. These notes were used in the IB English Language and Literature course for the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. They provide an in depth analysis of themes, symbols and characters and literary techniques, based on key quotes in the play.
“I felt sorely urged to weep; but conscious of how unreasonable such a
manifestation would be, I restrained it.”
Bronte portrays Jane as capable of controlling their emotions in order to challenge to the
Victorian perception of women being frail and therefore suited to domestic roles. She
recognises that crying will do her no good and instead seeks to practically address her
situation as she say, “I want to find some work no matter what.” While Bronte does explore
Jane’s emotions (frustration and despair) and recognises their validity, she also emphasises
are much stronger side in women that nineteenth century patriarchy causes society to
overlook.
“I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older
than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to
superiority depends n the use you have made of your time and experience.”
Jane dismisses typical assumptions made about the reasons why men should be considered
superior to women in the nineteenth century. While she concedes that Rochester has seen
more of the world than she has, Jane implicitly says that as a woman, she would not be
permitted to travel the world alone. Independence for Jane is thus not necessarily a personal
attribute, but also a result of luck and circumstance that has little bearing on true moral
equality.
“It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must
have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it…women are supposed to be
very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their
faculties…It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do
more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.”
Through Jane’s passionate characterisation, Bronte is able to explore the desire in women to
pursue things beyond what is conventionally ‘feminine’. She yearns for excitement and is
unable to appreciate the “security and ease” she finds at Thornfield. Jane finds herself
isolated in the household due to her ambiguous status, somewhere between a servant and a
family member, and thus desires to cross the boundaries of gender roles as defined by society.
Characterisation: “Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than I.”
As Jane continues to muse on the subject of her own position in society, she broadens her
perspective to consider marginalised groups in general. Jane recognises that many other
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