Symbols in Jane Eyre

Bertha Mason Symbol of many things: Jane’s inner passion and feelings: Bertha’s passion and outbursts remind the reader of Jane’s younger self, especially at the Reeds house: Bertha is described as giving “ A fierce cry”, very similar to Jane “ A cry of alarm…. My terror had passed its climax” Bertha is a symbol of uncontrolled passion. Rochester describes the younger Bertha as an outgoing and charismatic individual who “lavishly displayed for my pleasure her charms” however after losing her sanity this passion and rage has spiralled: “grappled his throat viciously” “bellowed” This passion is emphasised through the animalistic description of her: “the clothed hyena” “laid her teeth to his cheek”

It can be argued that Bertha represents the passion that Jane has learnt to control and conceals, and through Bertha we are able to further understand Jane’s inner thoughts. For example, although Jane is in love with Rochester she is aware of the difference between them, social class/status, perhaps suggesting she is deluding herself about a successful marriage but Bertha is the physical representation of this: “it removed my veil from its gaunt head, rent it in two parts” Same as when Jane knows she must flee Thornfield and all that it represents, “I must leave Adèle and Thornfield”, it is actually Bertha who destroys Thornfield in the end “She set fire first to the hangings of the room” Although Bertha represents the inner passion, she also serves as a warning to Jane of what can happen if there is not an element of control about her passion – seen through the dehumanised descriptions of Bertha.

Symbol of the ‘other’ The exact ethnicity of Bertha is fully specified however it is clear that it is different to Rochester and Jane: “discoloured” “dark” “I was of a good race” However it can be argued that by specifically casting a Creole woman, who were typically thought of as being untrustworthy and determined, as a mad woman introduces the theme of racial tolerance. This is especially considered in Post- colonial criticism. Jane is portrayed as an innocent young English girl in sharp contrast to Bertha’s insanity and danger: “bellowed”. The animalistic descriptions not only show her madness but the attitudes towards other races/difference: “seemingly on all fours” “grizzled hair”. These dehumanise Bertha making her a creature rather than a person which could also be taken a racial insult.

Red Room Symbol of the barriers that Jane must overcome - Physically shows the imprisonment that Jane suffers from in her life “Alas, no jail was more secure” but also symbolises the trappings that she will find the whole way throughout her life: “you are a dependent” - Her lack of identity, not belonging: “I was oppressed, suffocated” which also relates to the trappings of her social class - Barriers of her gender. The red colours seen throughout the red room “crimson” “curtains of deep red” can be seen as symbols of sexual desires and even menstrual blood which reminds us of Jane’s femininity but as she cannot escape from this room it shows how she will be restricted by her gender. This is also seen through the rest of the book through how as a poor woman not of high class she does not have many options of career.

Chestnut Tree Symbol of Jane and Rochester’s relationship and the troubles it encounters. It is under this tree that Rochester proposes to Jane and Jane even comments on the behaviour of it: “And what ailed the chestnut- tree, it writhed and groaned”. Foreshadows the pain that Jane will experience. Predicting how the marriage will not be a success. That night it is split in half when it is struck by lightning: “Half of it split away”. Implying the breakup of Jane and Rochester and how ultimately Jane will leave. However it is important to note that Jane comments that “The cloven halves were not broken from each other, for the firm base and strong roots kept them unsundered below” implying that although the tree has split, like Jane and Rochester will, they are still united by something. They will never be totally apart.

Bluebeard Story of Bluebeard: Fairytale in which a man has many wives who all seem to die, his new young wife is left in his castle with the instruction not to enter one room but she does and finds all of his previous wives hanging there, murdered. In Jane Eyre the references to Bluebeard symbolise the secrets that Rochester hides. Many similarities between the two stories: A sinister room which hides a great secret: Bertha/dead wives “There was a door apparent, which had then been concealed before” Both men hiding the consequences of previous marriages “I was doubtlessly covered with grimy dishonour” Jane even makes direct reference to Bluebeard: “like a corridor in some Bluebeard’s castle”. Without realising it she has already partly stated Rochesters secret.