Jane Eyre Presentation Group 6 Nerma Pasic, Kaleb Barnes, Laurel Post & Daren Tat

60. There are so many instances in the novel where Supernatural/Gothic elements can be found. For instance, Jane Eyre mentions fairies, imps, spirits, ghosts, vampires (incidentally, Bertha is hypothetically a vampire), demons, angels, superstitions (i.e., Jane Eyre does not believe in superstitions), witches, spells, fairy tales (Bluebeard’s Castle), elves (leprechauns), gypsies, clairaudience (clairvoyance), and fortune telling. Why does Charlotte Bronte use these sorts of elements in her novel and why does she go to extreme lengths to make Rochester insult Jane by calling her an elf, spirit, fairy, etc.? Why? What is his point? What is Charlotte’s point? PROMPT

Literal Meaning of Prompt The literal meaning of the prompt is to ask what is the purpose of the supernatural elements in the novel and how do Rochester's comments emphasize this meaning?  Literal Meaning of Prompt

How does the prompt relate to the novel? Bronte’s strong use of the spiritual and gothic elements throughout the novel aids her in adding dramatic tones to Jane Eyre’s “life story.” For example, when in Thornfield, Jane refers to Bertha as the “demon”, creating the dramatic effect of mystery towards Bertha and her true intentions. Jane also continues to see ghost-like figures following her, causing a moment of suspense for the readers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lknjx9gBwM8  •Along with creation of dramatic and suspenseful instances, Bronte’s use of gothic and spiritual elements creates an intimate relationship between the readers and the characters. By emphasizing Jane’s fears, thoughts, and experiences through spiritual elements, readers are able to better understand who Jane is and the story Bronte is trying to tell. How does the prompt relate to the novel?

1st Example From Text relating to prompt Example: "...the strange little figure there gazing at me, with a white face and arms specking the gloom, and glittering eyes of fear moving where all else was still, had the effected of a real spirit." (Bronte Chapter 2) Analysis: This is the first act of the supernatural theme in the novel and is referred to multiple times throughout. When Jane is sent to the red room she remember her father died there and starts to ponder the event creating an eerie atmosphere eventually becoming so frightened that she began to think the ghost of her father is in front of her. Through the rest of the novel she comes back to the red room emotionally when she is distraught 

2nd Example From Text relating to prompt Example: "When you came upon me in Hay Lane last night, I thought unaccountably of fairy tales, and had half a mind to demand whether you had bewitched my horse: I am not sure yet. Who are your parents?" Analysis: This quote is the first time anyone refers to Jane as a mythological creature. Rochester accuses Jane of being a fairy and "bewitching" his horse causing him to fall off of it and thus meeting Jane. This goes on through the entire novel as he even calls Jane a fairy after he proposes the second time. When Rochester calls Jane a fairy it emphasizes her mystical personality additionally it suggests that their relationship will be special in some way. 

(Pg. 331) "My brother in the interval was dead, and at the end of the four years my father died, too. I was rich enough now—yet poor to hideous indigence: a nature the most gross, impure, depraved I ever saw, was associated with mind, and called by the law and by society a part of me. And I could not rid myself  of it by any legal proceedings: for the doctors now discovered that my wife was mad—her excesses had prematurely developed the germs of insanity. Jane, you don't like my narrative; you look almost sick" - Mr. Rochester This short story told by Rochester to Jane in regards to his past clarifies his personal struggles and why he is the person Jane meets today. This relates to the mysterious and grievous past that Jane wonders about Rochester and as if it were a tale of the supernatural—that of horrors and mystery— and why Bertha seen as a villain. Anecdote

Imagery (Pg. 305) "It seemed sir, a woman tall and large, with thick and dark hair hanging down her back. I know  not what dress she had on: it was white and straight; but whether gown, sheet, or shroud, I cannot tell." - Jane Eyre Janes description of Bertha paints an ominous image of Rochester's wife to the audience, an evil and looming figure, which Jane validates as she concludes that Bertha resembles a vampire. This contributes to Charlotte's use of the supernatural elements as a precursor to tell a story of pure vs. evil between Jane and Bertha.

Metaphor (Pg. 279) "I shall revisit it healed and cleansed, with a very angel as my comforter" - Mr. Rochester Mr. Rochester's not-so-subtle comparison of Jane to an angel in the novel shows how he views Jane as being very pure and meaningful to him. While she rejects this notion of her being an angel, it reveals how endearing she is to Rochester and furthermore supports the use of supernatural elements to paint a clashing between the "good" vs the "evil" and that Jane being the "good" is the only one that can truly satiate Mr. Rochester's hungry desires and end his quest for a pure hearted maiden.

Gateshead: In Gateshead, Jane is sent to the red-room where she ponders death and how the dead will rise to seek revenge. With many overwhelming thoughts circling through her head, Jane imagines Mr. Reed’s ghost; this was the first spiritual element in the novel as it sets a dramatic tone for the chapter.  Lowood: The first evidence of spiritual elements in Lowood occurs in chapter four. Jane just recently left Gateshead and begins attending the Lowood school. She meets Mrs. Temple, the school intendant and also a character who loves and cares for Jane. This Jane’s first positive spiritual relations with a person who cares for her. In chapter nine, Bronte includes another positive spiritual element through Helen’s preaching towards Jane. Helen’s strong, spiritual faith in the after-life influences Jane to let go of the small problems in life.  Thornfield: Bronte begins chapter eleven with the gothic and mysterious name: Thornfield. Chapter eleven includes more spiritual elements as Jane and Mrs. Fairfax are spooked by the mysterious and unexplainable noises heard in the upstairs portion of Mr. Rochester's house. Bronte emphasizes the spiritual elements moments as Jane continues to experience strange occurrences in the house, causing great worry and suspicion in Jane. Jane and Rochester’s spiritual connection begins in chapter fourteen when he invites her to dinner.  The gothic mysteries grow in chapter fifteen after a mysterious fire occurs in Mr. Rochester's room, with no known culprit responsible for the action. Spiritual elements are evident in chapter twenty as Mr. Rochester shares that he must gain redemption for his sins if he wants to become whole again. Bertha is seen as a “demon” creating gothic effects. In chapter twenty-seven, Jane’s mother comes to her in spirit form advising her to leave Thornfield and start new somewhere else.  Moorshead: In chapter thirty-five, St. John proposes to Jane, but Jane cannot accept his proposal due to the realization she has a strong spiritual connection with Mr. Rochester.  Thornfield continued: Jane returns back to Thornfield in chapter thirty-six to profess her love to Mr. Rochester. But when she returns, Bertha has set the house on fire and Rochester has to save the people inside. Spiritual elements are used when Rochester loses his eyesight, symbolizing his loss of power and control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TotAfd4ercA  Moments from the towns

Passion vs. Responsibility In the novel Edward Rochester pursued both Blanch Ingram and Jane Eyre and ultimately ended up standing at the alter with Jane. Spiritually, this attempt to pursue these women was wrong on the account that he was involved in a marriage with Bertha Antoinetta Mason and had not been divorced. Mr. Rochester was driven by his passion to love and be loved but it clouded his moral responsibility to love Mrs. Mason for better or for worse according to the sacred laws of marriage. Mr. Rochester ultimately knew his private passions went against his responsibilities so he began viewing Mrs. Mason as somewhat of a supernatural entity due to her mental complex that needed to be hidden so his passions could be pursued. Mr. Rochester rationalized these events through self pity for his marital situation. (Chapters 12-26) Passion vs. Responsibility

Pivotal Significant Moment Moment: Bessie leaves Mrs. Reed’s home Significance: Jane views Bessie as some what of a saving grace or angel in her life for showing her love when no one else would and for giving Jane a sense of value in herself.

pivotal Significant Moment Moment: Jane finds that Rochester is already married Significance: Jane reanalyzes her feelings for Mr. Rochester because he has hidden is mentally ill wife away as if she were a supernatural monster.

Sources  Charlotte Brontë Michael Mason, et al. “Jane Eyre.” By Charlotte Brontë, www.goodreads.com/book/show/10210.Jane_Eyre. Dulac, Edmund. “Jane Eyre on Page and Screen 15: The Madwoman in the Attic.” Linnet Moss, Linnet Moss, 11 Apr. 2017, linnetmoss.com/2016/09/28/jane-eyre-on-page-and-screen-15-the-madwoman-in-the-attic/. LitCharts. “The Spiritual and the Supernatural Theme Analysis.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/lit/jane-eyre/themes/the-spiritual-and-the-supernatural. “Jane Eyre #1 Movie CLIP - I Would Do Anything For You (2011) HD.” YouTube, YouTube, 31 May 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TotAfd4ercA. MFOVideos. “Jane Eyre // Bertha rips off Jane's Wedding Veil // Deleted Scene.” YouTube, YouTube, 5 Aug. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lknjx9gBwM8 %E2%80%8B. Scott, A. O. “Radiant Spirit Blossoms in Barren Land.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Mar. 2011, www.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/movies/jane-eyre-starring-mia-wasikowska-review.html. www.pisanieprac.info/2017/bessie-in-jane-eyre.tech. https://repeatingislands.com/2017/07/27/the-madwoman-in-the-attic-how-mad-was-bertha-mason-in-jane-eyre/ https://www.moviequotesandmore.com/jane-eyre-movie-quotes-1/