BLAIR DIXONNANDA KASRY

MANUEL GUTIERREZLAUREN WERRES KRYSTYNA TRAN

7 T H PERIOD11.20 .13

Jane Eyre

The Prompt and The Literal Meaning

Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most significant events are mental or

psychological, for example, awakenings, discoveries, or changes in consciousness. In a well organized

essay, describe how the author manages to give these internal events the sense of excitements, suspense,

and climax associated with external action.

Describe how inner psychological events of a character are emphasized and how they effect the

novel.

Jane faces many instances of inner conflict, awakenings, and discoveries which are

emphasized to portray her mental growth as a character throughout the duration of the

novel.

How it Relates

Examples From The Text

“What a strange light inspired them! What an extraordinary sensation that ray sent through me!

How the new feeling bore me up! It was as if a martyr, a hero, had passed a slave or victim, and imparted strength in the transit. I mastered the

rising hysteria, lifted up my head, and took a firm stand on the stool” (Bronte 68).

Explanation

After Jane accidentally breaks her writing slate, she is publically humiliated and

punished. It is after this moment that Jane learns to accept criticism and stand up for herself as a sense of maturity is awoken

inside of her due to the influence of Helen.

Examples Continued

‘"Dear Mrs. Reed," said I, as I offered her the draught she required, "think no more of all this, let it pass away from your mind. Forgive me for my passionate language: I was a child then; eight, nine years have passed since that day.“’ (Bronte 256).

Explanation

Even after Mrs. Reed cause Jane to have a miserable childhood, Jane finds it in herself to

forgive her while on her deathbed. This change in consciousness within Jane required

great maturity which is emphasized in the novel.

Lowood

“I heard her with wonder: I could not comprehend this doctrine of endurance; and still less could I

understand or sympathize with the forbearance she expressed for her chastiser. Still I felt that Helen Burns considered things by a light invisible to my

eyes” (Bronte 55).

In the beginning of Jane’s stay at Lowood she wouldn’t accept unprovoked negativity from others but then she met Helen Burns, who taught her to grow to become more accepting of criticism. She learns that rebellion may not be appropriate in every context and to think

logically when fighting injustice.

Significant Moments: Gateshead

“Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with the strangest sense

of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt. It seemed as if an invisible bond had burst, and that I had

struggled out into unhoped-for liberty. Nor without cause was this sentiment: Mrs. Reed looked

frightened: her work had slipped from her knee; she was lifting up her hands, rocking herself to

and fro, and even twisting her face as if she would cry (Bronte 30)”.

“You little sharp thing! You’ve got quite a new way of talking. What makes you so venturesome and hardy?”

Jane endured abuse or neglect from almost everyone at Gateshead, her aunt, cousins (especially

John Reed) and the servants. She is constantly reminded that she is poor, worthless and that she

is lucky to even be living there. The encounter with Mr. Brocklehurst and Mrs.Reed before her

departure to Lowood sends her over the edge, and she stands up to Mrs. Reed.

This is a pivotal moment for Jane because she realized that there is value in resisting against

injustice. From then onwards Jane was not afraid to speak her mind, after seeing for herself the

effect of her words on Mrs. Reed, which Bessie lampshades this before their final farewell.

Thornfield

One of the pivotal moments at Thornfield is when Jane accepts Rochester’s marriage proposal. Before this, Jane felt that she was an independent woman, even telling Rochester: “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you” (Brontë 272). After she accepts, she becomes willing to give up her independence for love.

Moorshead

“I took sudden courage. Answering her compassionate gate with a smile, I said--"I will trust you. If I were a masterless and stray dog, I know that you would not turn me from your hearth to-

night: as it is, I really have no fear. Do with me and for me as you like; but excuse me from much discourse--my breath is short--I

feel a spasm when I speak." All three surveyed me, and all three were silent “ (Bronte 365).

Jane stumbles upon Moor House in the little town of Morton, where the Rivers family welcomes her and she discovers true friends

and family unexpectedly and revitalizes herself mentally. Up until this point, Jane had strong values of independence but is able to realize, while with the Rivers, that while virtues are crucial to

have, virtue without the happiness of human companionship may be just as bad as love without virtue.

Citations

Brontë, Charlotte, and Richard Lebenson. Jane Eyre. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1984. Print.

Jane Eyre." Literature.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"Vanishing Point." Web log post. Ben-vanishingpoint.blogspot.com: July 2010. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

"Jane Eyre." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

Questions

1. The literal meaning of the prompt is to describe how inner Psychological events of a character are emphasized and how they effect the novel.

2. The emphasis of Jane’s of inner conflict, awakenings, and discoveries used to portray her what?

Mental Growth

3. Who influences Jane to learn to accept criticism and stand up for herself Helen

4. In the beginning of Jane’s stay at Lowood she wouldn’t accept unprovoked Negativity from others

5. What is the last name of the family who takes in Jane at Moorshead. Rivers