Elizabeth Hergert Jerred Chen Brittney Marcial Cassidy Clayton Jane Eyre Elizabeth Hergert Jerred Chen Brittney Marcial Cassidy Clayton

Literal Meaning of the Prompt Prompt: Select a character whose origins are unusual or mysterious. Then write an essay in which you analyze how these origins shape the character and that character’s relationships, and how the origins contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole. Literal Meaning: Find and choose a character in Jane Eyre whose background is unusual, unknown, or mysterious and explain how that abnormal background affected their life and the novel as a whole.

How it Relates to Jane Eyre Mr. Rochester is an individual who comes from a mysterious and partially unknown background. He has kept a secret, the existence of his crazy wife, from everyone he could for numerous years, but most importantly, he has kept this information from Jane. In order to keep his wife secret, he has lied about certain situations that have occurred, including Bertha setting fire to Rochester’s room, entering Jane’s room, and attacking Mr. Mason. Ultimately, the secret of his wife prevents Mr. Rochester from marrying the love of his life, Jane, until Bertha dies.

Examples from the text

Example from the Text “Some have whispered to you that she is my bastard half sister; some, my cast off mistress; I now inform you that she is my wife, whom I married fifteen years ago – Bertha Mason by name (Bronte 339).” This reveal takes place after Jane’s marriage to Rochester is stopped by Mr. Briggs. This quote reveals Rochester’s past and the mysterious woman who has been living in his house. Jane’s relationship with Rochester is changed because they cannot marry and because Jane has been humiliated by this lie and by Rochester’s attempts for her to stay. Jane is changed because she has chosen dignity for herself instead of love for Rochester. This example clearly illustrates the impact of Rochester’s mysterious past on Jane and her future.

Example from the Text “He had almost as much as declared his conviction of her criminality last night; what mysterious cause withheld him from accusing her? Why had he enjoined me to secrecy? It was a strange – a bold, vindictive, and haughty gentleman seemed somehow in the power of one of the meanest of his dependents; so much in her power that even when she lifted her hand against his life he dared not openly charge her with the attempt, much less punish her for it (Bronte 178).” In this moment, Jane is wondering why Rochester would not tell everyone that Grace Poole started the fire in his room. His mysterious past, including the existence of his wife, is still a secret to Jane. Rochester’s unknown past is a danger to him, and it prevents Jane from understanding him. This example demonstrates the effect that Rochester’s mysterious past has on his life, Jane, and their relationship.

Literary Devices

Dramatic and Tragic Irony The audience is aware that Mr. Rochester is keeping a secret that will hurt Jane. When the secret is revealed, Jane becomes so upset that she calls off her engagement and leaves Thornfield. This results in her near death because Jane is left with no money, food, or water during her travels.

foreshadowing In chapter 25, Jane reveals to Mr. Rochester that she saw a strange woman tearing her veil. Mr. Rochester confirms that is hiding something from Jane and he will tell her after a year and a day; this foreshadows that there will be a reveal involving Mr. Rochester’s mystery. It also foreshadows the ruin of Jane’s wedding by the discovery of Bertha.

Cosmic irony As a child, Jane was mistreated and never loved by her family. Upon moving to Thornfield, she meets Mr. Rochester and believes she has found true love for the first time. However, he was keeping a secret from her and many others, and he could not marry Jane in a lawful manner. This ruins the engagement and forces Jane to leave Thornfield; this made it seem as if fate was against Jane finding love in her life.

Setting Gateshead Lowood Thornfield Mooreshead Ferndean When Jane returns to Gateshead, she feels the contrast between her careless childhood home and the love that she feels at Thornfield. The site of her abuse and neglect causes her to realize the compassion and understanding that Rochester and Thornfield provide. Lowood Upon Jane’s acceptance of the governess position at Thornfield, she realizes that she knows nothing about her new boss. The setting of Lowood, the school that she has come to know throughout her 6 years there, creates a stark contrast to her future home, job, and boss who remain unknown to her even after her arrival at Thornfield. Thornfield When Jane first arrives at Thornfield, she is completely unfamiliar with her surroundings. She even thinks that Mrs. Fairfax is the owner of the estate at first. Even after she meets Mr. Rochester, she does not know that it is him. This setting is later revealed to be the home of Mrs. Rochester, but it remains a mystery long after Jane has begun living there. Mooreshead The setting of the minister’s home is simultaneously a safe haven and a prison for Jane. She is saved from her wandering after she leaves Thornfield, and she inherits a fortune from her uncle. However, she is restricted by her relationship with St. John as it makes her realize her compatibility with Rochester, no matter his past. Ferndean The dull state of Ferndean matches the declining state of Mr. Rochester. After the wife of his past sets his home on fire, Rochester is blinded and looses an arm. Jane discovers this setting in a similar manner as its owner, but both recover as they move on from their past.

Secondary Prompt Secondary Prompt: “Many works of literature contain a character who intentionally deceives others. The character’s dishonesty may be intended either to help or to hurt. Such a character, for example, may choose to mislead others for personal safety, to spare someone’s feelings, or to carry out a crime. Choose a novel or play in which a character deceives others. Analyze the motives for that character’s deception and discuss how the deception contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.” This prompt wishes to analyze and interpret the motivations of having a character lie or mislead others with the purpose of either helping or harming. Having such deceitful, complex characters in a work of literature displays three-dimensional motivations and a considerable impact on the entire novel or play. In Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester intentionally deceives Jane by not mentioning that he was already married to another woman and still suggests to marry Jane. Rochester’s mysterious origins ultimately results in this dishonesty towards Jane since being truthful with his initial marriage with Bertha would most likely ruin the relationship between him and Jane. His intentions to not reveal his marital status to Jane demonstrates his desires to hide his past as much as possible in order to provide the best opportunity for marrying her.

Significant Moments A significant moment of the novel is when Jane Eyre is about to leave for Lowood Institution and tells Mrs. Reed that she will never forgive her for the neglect and emotional abuse. Jane’s early life is particularly and unusually harsh without having much companionship with anyone except Bettie. This is an important event because it demonstrates Jane taking her first steps of independence in leaving Gateshead and the miserable childhood that Mrs. Reed had imposed upon her. The tirade by Jane towards Mrs. Reed exemplifies Jane’s blunt, candid nature that would eventually be a key factor in Mr. Rochester’s love for Jane. In addition, another significant moment is when Mr. Rochester first reveals how he became a guardian of Adèle. Rochester describes the tragic relationship he had with his former lover Céline Varens and that Adèle was claimed to be his daughter. This is important because the explanation of Adèle’s relationship with Mr. Rochester provides the insight into his past and his lonely origins. Céline’s insults towards Mr. Rochester behind his back result in his greater appreciation towards Jane’s candid remarks about his appearance and ultimately helps Rochester fall in love with Jane. The interrupted wedding between Mr. Rochester and Jane is also a significant moment of the novel. This is important because it reveals that Mr. Rochester is already technically married and that Mr. Rochester had deceived Jane into marrying him without letting her know about Bertha. Mr. Brigg’s intervention in the wedding forces Mr. Rochester to fully explain his past with marrying Bertha and discovering that she is utterly insane, and telling Jane would most likely deter her from marrying Rochester. An internal conflict is introduced to Jane between staying with Rochester and technically being his mistress or leaving Rochester and trusting her morals.

Citations Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Bantam Dell, 1847.