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“Reader, I married him” (Bronte 427)

Chapter 38, titled “Conclusion,” begins with one of the most famous lines of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre “Reader, I married him” (Bronte 427), creating the dawn of the conclusion of Jane and Rochester’s relationship and ultimately this novel. Weirdly enough, the reason this line drew my interest was not because of the announcement of their marriage but because throughout the novel I noticed Charlotte Bronte’s tendencies towards the completion of character development. One thing I have always disliked about many books is the general underdevelopment of many characters who play important roles in the novel but aren’t considered significant characters. Still, contrary to many authors, Bronte developed these characters past their “prime” importance in the novel, which filled many potential questions that would distract from the meaning and morals of Jane Eyre. Throughout the novel, there were many examples of the completion of characters, such as the visit to Gateshead, where we discovered John Reed’s death, the death of the evil Miss Reed after her continual neglect of Jane, and the failed potential of Eliza and Georgiana living pathetic lives. Although the vital aspect of that visit was to unveil Jane’s uncle, who intends to have Jane as the only benefactor of his will, the overwhelmingly disappointing lives of the Reed family is also critical because it only emphasizes Jane’s success as an independent woman, which implicitly furthered and strengthened Bronte’s ideology presented throughout the novel. In chapter 38, Rochester’s renewed sight serves to complete his character as it demonstrates how he has redeemed himself and his previous faults, contrasting with St. John’s imminent death during his missionary work in India. Rather than focusing on Jane and Rochester’s marriage chapter 38, is used to conclude many characters like Diana and Mary Rivers, but there was a massive emphasis on St. John and his work in India. This conclusion of St. John just reiterates and reinforces that Jane made the right decision in going back to Mr. Rochester as she wouldn’t have been able to grow into potential as a feminist protagonist with St. John.

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Week #5: St. John, Mr. Rochester, and Equality

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Week #5: St. John, Mr. Rochester, and Equality

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Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre has easily been one of my favorite novels I’ve been assigned to read throughout high school due to many factors. Still, the two most important are the novel’s relevance and the constant contrasting parallels in relationships that create different meanings, each contributing to this novel’s dynamic plot. In chapters 34-38, we can see some prime examples of both of these situations, mainly through Jane and St. John’s relationship. Despite all the complications in their individual love lives and being cousins, St. John proposed to Jane and invited her to come with him to India for his missionary tasks; Jane rejected the marriage proposal. While St. John’s intentions are somewhat honest, Bronte uses this potential relationship to demonstrate not only Jane’s everlasting love for Rochester but also to show a possible regression in terms of her freedom and equality within the relationship, which Jane ultimately avoids. Although Jane did get very close to accepting St. John’s offer, we see the apparent benefits of her not doing so. By fate, Jane ended end up with Rochester due to some supernatural occurrence, and in chapter 37, Rochester exclaims how much he admires Jane and envies that their relationship would be based on equality, something that wouldn’t be possible with St. John, and something that was such a rare occurrence at the time due to the massive gender inequality and divide in class.

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Victim of her own self-restraint Jane is unable to follow her heart and instead is forced to follow her brain. Despite loving and being loved by Rochester, Jane’s morals serve as a wall in pursuing this relationship. After discovering Rochester’s past and present entailing his unintended marital status to Bertha, Jane no longer feels that the correct decision would be to stay in this complex relationship, as it would be against her morals and beliefs. This perfectly exemplifies Sartrean existentialism, an existentialist philosophy built around the idea that existence precedes essence, in simpler terms meaning that humans need to act and conduct themselves in a specific way to give meaning to their lives. In Jane’s case, her morals and beliefs gave meaning to her life as they serve as a construct and structure to live by, and defying them would reduce her life’s meaning and value. As humans, we constantly try to give our lives meaning, morals are among the most common when considering Sartrean philosophy, but does this constant chase of purpose limit our happiness. Although it is implied and foreshadowed that Jane and Rochester end up together Jane and Rochester’s short separation perfectly conveys how we often limit our potential happiness, but does the disregarding of morals lead to a meaningless life?

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One of the most interesting aspects of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is the complexity of the development of the characters, most evident through the constant juxtaposition and conflicts our protagonist faces. One of the continuous shifts we see in Jane throughout the novel is her religious perspective changes based on her experiences in life. Jane’s religious socialization constantly shapes the foundation of her beliefs from her abusive childhood at Gateshead to her transformative years at Lowood, where she was heavily influenced by Helen Burns. Jane’s religious journey continues at Thornfield, heavily revolving around morality as she faces many predicaments, mainly in the domain of Rochester. Now, as she lives life in Whitcross, she begins to become devout and indulged by Christianity, under the influence of St John. Two of the critical factors in Jane’s devotion to religion are her state of panic and the starch contrast that St. John offered to previous religious characters, Mr. Brocklehurst. St. John has played this role of redeeming the damages that Brocklehurst’s abusive ways caused. We have seen Jane transition from her initial rejection of religion to religion, playing an integral role in her life and decisions.

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“Dear Mrs. reed… Forgive me for my passionate language: I was a child then; eight, nine years have passed since that day.” (Bronte 233)

Throughout my reading of Jane Eyre, one of the things I have been most impressed with is Jane’s character development. What I appreciated most about her development is despite changing certain traits and aspects of her character, she always remains true to her morals and beliefs. This progression is most evident through her newfound self-control when considering how understandably and justifiably emotionally reactive she was at Gateshead. When Jane heard of the news that Ms. Reed had a stroke, she went back to visit the Gateshead manor. She learned that Ms. Reed didn’t give her a letter from her uncle, who wanted to adopt Jane, meaning Jane would be the benefactor of his immense wealth because she hated Jane and how she retaliated against the abuse and torture of the Reed household. While this news would be infuriating to almost anyone, rather than getting upset, Jane apologized for her ways when she was younger. This action demonstrated her progression and maturation as a human being and demonstrated her “Way Too Big” mentality. This “Way Too Big” mentality is detailed in revolutionary Afrofusion artist Burna Boy’s new song “Way Too Big” on his most recent album “Twice As Tall,” which came out in 2020. In the chorus of this hit song, Burna sings, “Because I'm way too big--Way too big to be fucking with you--To be fucking with you, mmm--Because I'm way too smart--Way too smart to be falling in your trap--Fucking with you, mmm--Because I'm way too cool--Way too cool to be losing my cool” detailing that now he has improved too much to give you your desired reaction. Burna’s mentality of improvement and progression is shared by Jane Eyre and is conveyed in her final interaction with Ms. Reed as she takes the high road, which is the ultimate materialization of her improvements throughout her life.

https://youtu.be/wy_j--ljb9w

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Week #3: Recap Through Gothic Literature

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Week #3: Recap Through Gothic Literature

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Throughout Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte frequently uses gothic literature elements to invoke suspense and tension for the reader using the dynamic duo of gothic literature: horror and romance. Although gothic elements are seen throughout the novel chapters, 20-26 are saturated with many important and impactful gothic-inspired events. One of the recurring themes of gothic literature in this novel is the mystery of the 3rd floor. On this conspicuous 3rd floor, Jane constantly hears the bizarre and haunted laughter of Grace Poole accompanied by many violent crimes, the most recent being against Mr. Mason, who Jane is forced to save from bleeding out. This 3rd floor combines many different Gothic elements, including mystery, fear, and the most prominent horror. Following the mystery of the 3rd floor, in chapter 23, one of the most significant events in this book takes place, Rochester proposes to Jane. This scene takes place at the bottom of the Thornfield orchard at the great horse-chestnut tree and conveys a constant shift in emotions from Jane’s sorrow after hearing that she could be leaving Thornfield to her elation once Rochester proposes. Although Jane’s amplified emotions are considered a gothic element, the most crucial element came after the proposal during the storm, where the tree was split in half by a bolt of lightning. In gothic literature, the weather is often used as a facilitator of foreshadowing, described in gothic literature as an omen. This lightning strike represented the danger and trouble that followed Jane and Rochester, ultimately foreshadowing their catastrophic wedding day where Jane found out that Rochester was already married to Bertha, who has many screws loose. Combined with several foreshadowing (omen) dreams featuring the gothic element of disaster and a distressed woman, chapters 20 through 26 were packed with gothic literature’s revolutionary writing elements.

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Week #2: Pioneers: Jane Eyre and Dona Beatriz

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Week #2: Pioneers: Jane Eyre and Dona Beatriz

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“You have saved my life; I have a pleasure in owing you so immense a debt. I cannot say more. Nothing else that has being would have been tolerable to me in the character of creditor for such an obligation; but you, is different—I feel your benefits no burden, Jane…I knew…you would do me good in some way at some time; I saw it in your eyes when I first beheld you” (Bronte 154)

As Jane and Rochester’s relationship develops, it is clear to see the complexities that will follow through the deep emotional connections made. After helping Rochester with his horse accident, their relationship begins, and in-depth discussions follow. Despite missing the privilege of being surrounded by Ms. Temple and conversing about many topics, she now finds pleasure in discoursing with Mr. Rochester about class, sin, forgiveness, as he states his desire for an “angel” to save him. As if it was manifested, Jane becomes an “angel” as she saved him from a fire thought to be started by the mysterious Ms. Poole. As Rochester expresses his gratitude to Jane as he claims, “I have the pleasure in owing you an immense a debt,” his allusions to her angel-like qualities impose this resurgence of religion to the heroic Dona Beatriz. Dona Beatriz was a religious leader in the Congo in the 17th century, born into the civil war. In many ways, Dona Beatriz parallels Jane Eyre and her angel-like-ability as she served as a savior for the Congo. Dona Beatriz attempted to prevent Portuguese interaction/intervention out of fear that they would enslave many-- which they did. Beatriz’s heroic attempts to save her people ultimately did not succeed as she was killed by the Portuguese, but her valiance did not go unnoticed as she became a Christ-like figure. Although Dona is a much more impactful figure, Jane and Dona hold this angel-like resemblance to each other as they attempt to help and save others.

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Week #2: Chapter 11-19 Thoughts/Reflection

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Week #2: Chapter 11-19 Thoughts/Reflection

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One thing I have found interesting throughout the whole book is Jane’s dissatisfaction with life, but I find this is an excellent trait to have. Jane is always looking for a better life, a more independent life, a life that satiates her needs as an archetype of feminism. In the first ten chapters of the book, Jane’s life begins to progress and improve as she moves out of her abusive household to go to Lowood, where she meets Ms. Temple. Moving to Lowood was a catalyst for her desire to escape and break the mold of being the ideal Victorian woman to being a self-sufficient woman with freedom and independence. After moving to Thornfield, Jane progresses in her journey as she achieves a bit more freedom and a higher quality of life than what she had at Lowood. Still, Jane desires more; she continues to justifiably reject the unfair status quo and pursue other interests. Although life, in general, is better at Thornfield Jane wishes she still had the freedom to talk to a woman like the influential Ms. Temple, but Jane’s desire for the intellectual stimulation of that sort is partially replaced by her discourse and relationship with Mr. Rochester. Despite knowing Rochester’s plans to marry Ms. Ingram, it seems as if Rochester is what Jane wants next in life. This constant pursuit of happiness makes Jane such an interesting and complex character, and it has only intensified in chapters 11 through 19 and hopefully continues throughout the rest of the book.

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Week #1: The Parallels of Jane Eyre and Gothic Architecture

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Week #1: The Parallels of Jane Eyre and Gothic Architecture

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Around the 12th century in Europe, there was a style shift in the churches/architecture from Romanesque to Gothic. Romanesque architecture can best be described as dull, thick walls and round arches, with very little detail, compared to the magnificent Gothic style. On the other end of the spectrum lies Gothic architecture, known for its seemingly gravity-defying features such as its flying buttresses or its attention to detail with its intricate stained glass windows. With these architectural changes, there was also a shift in the Christian religion. There was a more considerable emphasis on mystical factors like the afterlife or the famous gargoyles that hang from many Gothic buildings, the most notable being the cathedral named the Notre-Dame de Paris, but ultimately represented the increase in freedom within the religion. To me, Gothic architecture represents the liberation of the strict guidelines of Romanesque architecture, and in many ways, is an allegory for Jane Eyre’s conquest to overcome the unequal expectations of being the ideal Victorian woman. These expectations were (still are) forced upon women from the day they’re born, limiting them from reaching their full potential due to the marginalization of their opportunities compared to men. In Jane’s journey through life, she is driven to evade these cruel restrictions and reach her full potential of being Gothic architecture or, in her case, a self-sufficient woman who is liberated from all gender-based expectations.

(I know there is a difference between Gothic literature and Gothic architecture I just thought it would be interesting to talk about Gothic architecture)

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Week #1: Miss Temple and Jane's Liberation (2/11)

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Week #1: Miss Temple and Jane's Liberation (2/11)

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"Miss Temple, through all changes, had thus far continued superintendent of the seminary: to her instruction, I know the best part of my acquirements; her friendship and society had been my continual solace: she had stood me in the stead of a mother, governess, and, latterly, companion." (Bronte 90)

Throughout Bronte’s novel, many characters play an integral role in forming the character of Jane Eyre. From Jane’s aunt, Mrs. Reed’s hypocritical actions treating her as inferior to her biological kids to the abusive ways of Jane’s cruel cousin John Reed, all of the negative and positive help build Jane’s philosophies and outlook on life. Despite having very little support around her, certain characters played a positive role in Jane’s life, the most important being Miss Temple. After leaving for school at the age of 10, Jane arrived at Lowood and instantly held a sense of admiration for the superintendent Miss Temple. From chapters five through ten, Miss Temple played an instrumental role in Jane’s life as she became the archetype for this self-sufficient woman escaping the unfair idealization of the Victorian woman. In life, it is essential to have role models and positive influences. For Jane, Miss Temple became a “mother” figure as she was the only woman ever to take her under her wing and guide her. Jane even accredits many of her early accomplishments to Miss Temple as she beneficially changed Jane’s life, ultimately inspiring her to become a governess at the Thornfield manor. Against all odds, Jane is becoming very successful, from escaping the malicious Reed household to becoming a governess; it is undeniable that the characters along the way have influenced her life, and Miss Temple affected her’s for the better.