Jane Eyre Chapter One

Page 1

Sets the mood:

When Jane is suddenly disturbed in her quiet pleasure of reading by the undelicate shouting of John Reed, we are in the same way by the change in tone, and in disposition on the page. (from poetic description to harsh dialogue)

There is also the bleak scenery around the house, reminder of Charlotte's own life.

Sets the beginning of characterisation: "I never liked long walks, especially on chilly afternoons" the narrator is not Heathcliff, not brooding

"my physical inferiority" -low self esteem

There is romanticization when Jane is more attracted to the pages with "bleak shores of Lapland, Siberia, Spitzbergen (...) with the vast sweep of Arctic zones and those forlorn regions of dreary space"--> escapism

Feelings of deep injustice:

"Roman emperor"; "slave driver"

The historical context:

The Victorian view of children is apparent "intended only for happy little children"

The boy, John, who is to inherit the house is all that can be wrong with men, cruel "bullied" "terror" there is also mention of the physical force he uses against Jane with "blood" "pungent suffering"

Imagery:

Religious imagery relating to books: "shrined in double retirement"

The supernatural:

The Churchyard, gloomy like the place the Brontës lived, and the "marine phantoms"

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