Jane Eyre, Task 4

Dreams and paintings…

The descriptions of Jane’s dreams and paintings are included in her autobiography, because it is an important part of who she is. It provides information about her inner, subconscious thoughts and represents her biggest dreams and deepest fears. It reveals her raw emotions which she does not always show, because she is expected to be the perfect Victorian lady. Her dreams also serve as warning symbols for the future. Jane believes in Bessie’s superstition, that to dream of children was a sure sign of trouble. Because, the day after Bessie dreamt of a child, she found out her sister was dead.

Dreams can also represent things that happen in Jane's life. In chapter six, Jane begins having dreams about children. This could be, because she is starting to have stronger feelings for Rochester. After taking a walk around with Rochester, Jane has a series of child dreams:

". . . during the past week scarcely a night had gone over my couch that had not brought with it a dream of an infant” (Brontё, 141).

While working as a governess at Thornfield manor, Rochester realises that Jane has a talent for painting and becomes interested in three of her watercolour paintings. These paintings reveal Jane’s awareness of her “dreamworld”. Rochester says, "I daresay you did exist in a kind of artist's dreamland while you blent and arranged these” (Brontё, 108).

The first painting shows a ship, the bare hand of a faintly visible drowned corpse, and a gold bracelet rising out of a green sea. This painting is an expression of Jane’s conscious thoughts, but also of her subconscious, which is represented by the drowning corpse. It could be symbolic of Jane’s inner feelings of despair and hopelessness during her time at Lowood, but could also serve as a foreshadowing of trouble to come.

The second painting is of a hill with leaves and grass, blown by the wind. The dark sky is also visible in the background and in the sky is the partial figure of a woman. The evening star can also be seen. Mr. Rochester interprets the hill to be Mt Latmos, which is where the goddess Selene fell in love with Endymion in Greek mythology. This could serve as a foreshadowing of Jane’s relationship with Rochester and is a sign of her longing to find love herself.     

The third image is of iceberg in the winter sky, there is a colossal human head resting on the iceberg. “Above the temples, amidst wreathed turban folds....gleamed a ring of white flame....This pale crescent was ‘The likeness of a Kingly Crown’ what it diademed was ‘the shape which shape had none’” (Brontё, 107).

Again this painting could reveal Jane subconscious thoughts of hopelessness and her cold and lonely despair. This could be interpreted as a symbol of Rochester’s loss of his sight later in the novel.

It can be concluded that Jane’s dreams and paintings tell the reader things about Jane, which she does not always show through her words or actions. In other words it is the author’s way of revealing Jane’s deepest emotions to the reader. This increases the complexity of the character and helps the reader to understand her better, because we are given insight to her inner thoughts.

Jane Eyre, Task 3

The Woman Question:

The “Woman Question” is a term referring to the social changes which occurred during the end of the nineteenth century in Victorian England. An increasing amount of people started to voice their disapproval of the way women were treated during the time and also against the limited rights women were granted. A woman could never dream of defending herself against a man during that time, since laws kept married woman from owning property, making and handling their own money, demanding a divorce and even writing their own will as they please. When taking this into consideration it is easier to understand why the Victorian people showed such disapproval of the character Jane Eyre. Jane rebels against the fate of the women of her time. She fights for women to be on equal grounds with men and therefore never backs down when arguing with a man. The Red Room Scene is a good example of Jane’s stubbornness; she chooses punishment, instead of apologizing to John Reed. Jane also refuses Mr Rochester’s gifts before their wedding, because she does not want to feel like she is being bought.     

The Industrial Revolution brought upon many changes with regards to women’s role in society. Many women were now working in factories, instead of sitting at home being the perfect Victorian wife. This combined with the uproar against the unfair treatment of women, caused authorities to reconsider some of the laws restricting women. New laws, such as the “Marriage and Divorce Act, was passed in 1857. The laws against women were so strict that they were not even allowed to write freely. Jane Eyre, being a feminist novel commenting on the mistreatment of women during the Victorian era, would never have reached the public if the author was honest about whom she was. Even though she managed to get her novel out there by using a different name, it still received a great amount of negative comments, because of the rebellious nature of the main character. Woman today have people like Charlotte Brontё and her sisters to thank for, despite all the criticism, voicing their opinion about the unfairness of their society and for making people aware of the faults of the society in which they lived, especially with regards to women’s rights. 

Governess (references):

·         A conversation between Rochester, Blanche Ingram and her mother on the topic governesses:

" You should hear mama on the chapter of governesses: Mary and I have had, I should think, a dozen at least in our day; half of them detestable and the rest ridiculous, and all incubi--were they not, mama?" 

"My dearest, don't mention governesses; the word makes me nervous. I have suffered a martyrdom from their incompetency and caprice. I thank Heaven I have now done with them!" "Oh, don't refer him to me, mama! I have just one word to say of the whole tribe; they are a nuisance. Not that I ever suffered much from them" (Brontё 150-152).

This is a very embarrassing moment in the novel for Jane, because her occupation and thus she as a person is being criticized and she is not in a position where she can defend herself. To make matters worse she has started to develop feelings for Rochester, who has shown an interest in her, but is now in the company of a woman with much more wealth and beauty than herself, the very woman who is insulting her, Mrs. Blance Ingram.

·         “A more reassuring introduction for a new governess could scarcely be conceived…” (Brontё 81)

This is Jane’s reaction when she is shown where she will be sleeping, by Mrs. Fairfax, upon her arrival at Thornfield.  

·         “Don’t address me as if I were a beauty; I am your plain, Quakerish governess.” (Brontё 220).

Jane denies her beauty to Rochester who admires her plain and pure looks. It is clear that she does not think very highly of herself or her profession.

My Comment:

During the Victorian era, wealthy families often employed a governess to act as a private teacher for their children. This allowed the lady of the house more time to focus on her other priorities such as being a good wife to her husband. In Jane Eyre, Mr Rochester hires Jane to be his daughter’s governess. The governess held a peculiar role in the household, since she was neither a slave nor a family member. She was typically a young, unmarried, middle-class woman with a decent education. In Poovey’s words, “[The governess] bears two of the most important Victorian representations of women: the figure who epitomized the domestic ideal, and the figure who threatened to destroy it.” A governess was like a mother, but also like a working class woman in the work she did. This is the reason for many people’s disapproval of a governess during that time. As a working middle-class woman, who earns money, she posed as a threat to the idea Victorians had of women. Women, such as Blanche Ingram and her mother from the novel, Jane Eyre, disapproved of governesses, because they saw her as a working class woman with an undeserved middle-class status.  A governess was expected to teach young girls the necessary ways of attracting a good husband, but was not allowed to act on her own desires for a husband. Governesses had to make many personal sacrifices, such as marriage and motherhood, in order to maintain their middle-class status. Today they are often pitied, because of the fact that, although they performed a mother’s tasks, they never enjoyed the wonders of being a wife or mother themselves.  

Jane Eyre, Task 2

·         Jane deeply resisted as Miss Abbot and I escorted her to the red room. I could not help but to pity the child, I myself would have dreaded being locked in that haunted old room. But, what was I to do? I could not refuse the Madam’s orders. It was wrong of Miss Eyre to strike the young master and I must admit I was rather shocked by the child’s rebellious nature. However, knowing the young master I am inclined to believe that it was not purely Miss Jane’s wrong-doing which caused the argument. We struggled for quite a while before we finally managed to force her into the room indicated by Mrs. Reed. Miss Eyre has always been difficult, but never before have I seen her so beyond herself. The child must have been really afraid. I could see it in her eyes as we pushed her onto a chair in the room. It was more than just not wanting to sit still and be quite. The girl was really scared. Nevertheless she behaved disrespectfully and had to be punished accordingly. Miss Eyre refused to calm down out of desperation I asked Miss Abbot for her garters to tie Miss Jane to the chair. She begged of me not to do so and promised not to cause any more trouble. She then attached herself to the chair by her hands. I let go of my firm hold of Miss Eyre as she regained her sanity. I stood there for a moment simply looking at this girl and wondering what could possibly be going through her mind. She had never behaved in such an aggressive way. I felt inclined to have a talk with Miss Jane. Although I knew that her behavior was not without reason, she was depended on Mrs. Reed for her survival and had to learn to control her emotions or the madam would have her go to the poorhouse. I tried to soften Miss Abbot’s harsh words and told the child that what we tell her is for her own good. We then left and locked the door behind us.

I heard a cry coming from the red room and ran to check on Miss Eyre. I asked her if she was ill and if she had seen something again. Miss Jane looked really spooked as she grabbed hold of my hand. I really pitied the girl and wanted to calm her down. Mrs. Reed came rushing into the room and scolded Miss Abbot and myself for entering the room without her consent. I tried to explain to her that Miss Eyre’s screaming frightened us and that we were concerned about her health. The Madam would hear nothing of it; Miss Abbot and I retreated as she continued screaming at Jane.

·         I do agree with Rich’s argument that the activities which took place on that day when Jane Eyre was locked in the red room played a big part in forming her as a person. Even though we are given the idea that things have been difficult for Jane in the Reed’s household ever since her beloved uncle passed away, that day is when all her built up emotions and anger reaches a climax and is released. She is driven to the point of insanity and admits that she felt “out of herself” that day. Jane is treated like an animal by everyone in the household, except for Bessie who tries to calm Jane down. She is locked in the room where her uncle died, which is believed to be haunted. She is almost like a wild animal locked in a cage. While locked in the room Jane’s anger, bitterness and hatred of her aunt and of John Reed builds up. She wonders why no matter how hard she tries, she is always the one to suffer and why she is never able to please anyone. This shows how the way the Reeds treat Jane has led her to believe that she has no worth. She also thinks about how unjustly she is treated and considers running away or to stop eating and let herself die. During the time she spends in the red room Jane’s mind is in turmoil as she thinks about how she has never been and will never be part of the household. Jane’s extreme anger, loneliness and frustration towards her unjust treatment shape her as a person who never wants to feel like that ever again in her life. She will strive to live with dignity, integrity and pride – all of which she has never been able to have while living under Mrs. Reed’s authority.

·         The book, Jane Eyre, opens in a very dramatic way with the “red room” scene. In “A Dialogue of Self and Soul: Plain Jane’s Progress”, Sandra M. Gilbert argues that this scene serves as a warning sign of more drama to come. Charlotte Brontë immediately creates suspense through this scene, which causes the reader to want to read more in order to see what happens to Jane. It is an example of what will follow in the rest of the book. This is made clear through the fact that the scene is the opening scene of the book and also because she recollects her feelings of that day every time she finds herself in a difficult and crucial position. Jane and also the reader is reminded of her orphaned position, her ridiculing role in the houses and her attempts to escape through various ways. These are feelings which are relevant almost throughout the book, for example the night she decides to leave Thornfield manor. Every time Jane makes a crucial decision it is driven by the same emotions which she felt that day while being locked in the “red room”. This is functional, because it shows that the events which took place in Jane’s childhood will continue to haunt her for the rest of her life.

Jane Eyre: Task 1

Task 1:

·         Class: This term refers to a society divided into certain social groups. The interests of these groups differ depending on their rank in the social hierarchy. The hierarchy resembles a pyramid, with the smaller group of “upper-class” citizens on top and the large number of “working class” people at the bottom. The “middle-class” people are often grouped together with the “upper-class”, because both classes represent a privileged sector of society.

·         Gender & Feminism:  ‘Gender’ refers to being feminine or masculine, rather than male or female. The distinction between gender and sex is drawn to avoid fundamental definitions of women and men and behavior that is associated with them. Feminist literary criticism critiques the images of women portrayed in literary texts.

·         Ideology: This refers to beliefs, values and ways of thinking through which humans take to be reality. It is the product of the position and interests of a certain class. An ideology serves to legitimize the interests of the “upper-class”. It is the process by which consciousness is formed. Ideologies are hard to resist and may be accepted without a person even realizing it. The ideology has then become “hegemonic”   or dominant.

(Key words for English studies)

·         Charlotte Brontё wrote the preface to give thanks to the public, press and publishers who made the success on Jane Eyre possible. She also wrote it to address the people who disapprove of the book and of the comments she makes on the Victorian society, merely because it is unconventional and because she is a woman. She is saying that something is not law just because it is conventional and being conventional does not make it right. Ideas are supposed to be challenged for humanity to advance. She says that customs and policies which only benefit a small number of people – to make the rich richer is not right and pointing this out is a good thing, not a bad thing. She says that the world might hate the person who exposes the faults of his or her society, but later they will be grateful towards that person. She then proceeds to dedicate the 2^nd edition of Jane Eyre to a Mr. Thackery, whose wit, sarcasm and sharp comments on society she admires. She sees him as a modern reformer of her time and prophet-like. She writes as Currer Bell, because she did not want to be recognized as a woman, since her comments on society were not feminine and unacceptable coming from a woman. Her manner of writing and thinking was inappropriate and frowned upon in that time. She wanted to remain anonymous, while still getting her work published. This can be seen on the facsimile of the first edition title page “Edited by Currer Bell”.

·         Even though we still study it today, which should serve as enough confirmation of the fact that it is a good book. The text, Jane Eyre is actually described as unfeminine. This is because the main character, Jane, is seen as offensive, because during that time women were not allowed to comment so strongly on their society or to challenge it. According to the author of the review, the book contains “masculine power, breadth and shrewdness, combined with masculine hardness, coarseness and freedom of expression. As if she does not think it possible or acceptable for a woman to express herself freely. However, in the social context of the time this reaction to the book is not unexpected seeing as most readers would have had the same repulsed reaction towards the unladylike behavior of the main character Jane Eyre.  The role social class played during that time is visible in many of the comments made by the reviewer. In her opinion the author had to have been an orphan or social outcast herself to be able to write in such detail about the emotions of Jane Eyre. She refers to the character “the last class”.

This book is vulgar and rude, not to a reader of our time but to one during the Victorian era. The reason why is because it challenges the social hierarchy of the time. The book shows characters of different social classes interacting with each other and depicts many of the “upper-class” characters as the unfavorable characters in the novel, as opposed to characters such as servants being the likeable ones.  Furthermore it has a strong feminist edge to it since the main character Jane Eyre is the opposite of what was seen as the perfect woman of the time. She is anything but the conventional fictional heroine. The reviewer speaks of the “purer taste of the present day” and is appalled that the character, Jane Eyre has any credibility in such a “pure” day and age. This comment makes it clear that the text must have been very offensive to the people during that time. The book and the characters is described as offensive. The reviewer goes as far as to question the author’s virtues, because she has managed to create such a vulgar text and characters. Jane is praised for her moral strength, but described as a “heathen mind” with no “Christian grace”, because she offends everything that the Victorian society is based on, such as the social class system and women being obedient to men. The issue of class is again visible when the reviewer comments on how the author is actually complaining about God’s plan, when she complains about how the rich “upper-class” is in charge of things while the “lower-class” becomes more and more suppressed. It is clear that religion was in a certain extent used to advance the ideas of the “upper-class” and to make them even more powerful. The reviewer states that through the novel the author has “forfeited the society of her own sex.” In other words she has disgraced all women and brought shame upon herself.