Jane Eyre XI-XIX: Jane as a Governess in Thornfield -- – Service vs. Pursuit of Freedom and Love

Outline Review: Chap I-X Jane as a governess Her desire Attraction between Jane and Rochester The Polite Society The Gothic Elements “The Aliens”: “Grace Poole” and Mr. Mason

Review: Chaps I-IV Chap IJane alone vs. The Reed family -- Reading and looking out of the window -- rebellion “in frantic sort” Chap IIRed room and her sense of injustice Chap IIIMr. Lloyd’s visit, gives Jane a choice between poverty or school -- Book: Gulliver’s Travels, Bessie’s song: sad Chap IVThe visit of Mr. Brocklehurst --Book: Psalms are not interesting 28 --Mrs. Reed: Jane a liar 28 Jane’s 1 st victory: speaking up against Mrs. Reed -- her remorse

Review: Chaps V-X Chap V Departure (Jane clung to Bessie) Lowood—poor food, sharing the same mug for drinking water. Helen Burns – reading and explanation of the school and teachers – Burns punished Chap VI Helen Burns’ punishment (beaten with twigs, “slattern”) continues; discussion with Jane (endure it; denies her own merit; “Love your enemy”) Chap VII The visit of Mr. Brocklehurst Jane picked up as a liar Chap VIII Helen: conscience more important than the world Turning point – Jane inspired by Helen and Ms. Temple Helen punished again 64 Chap IX Spring comes. Death of Helen Burns 71 Chap X Lowood reformed; Ms. Temple married. Jane stays in Lowood for 8 years and then seeks a teaching position elsewhere. “I desire liberty…” (74) Bessie’s visit before she leaves for Thornfield.

Discussion Questions Governess: How is Jane positioned as a governess in Thornfield? Is she treated like a servant? Jane and Rochester: How is Rochester related to Jane? How does she change her views of Rochester? What does Jane Desire? What are the function of the laugh she hears? The Polite Society: How does Jane see the aristocratic friends Rochester brings home? What are the functions of charade and the gypsy woman?

Jane in Thornfields 1.Inexperienced— Expected to be received coldly thought Mrs. Fairfax to be the owner 2. Hierarchy: closer to housekeeper (84) 3. Knowledgeable (French) 4. Books in the library (90) – limited to light readings The guests’ views of governesses – (XVII) “half of them detestable and the rest ridiculous, and all incubi”

Jane’s Desire “aspirations and regrets” about her appearance (XI : 86) Curious: “s Mr. Rochester an exacting, fastidious sort of man?” (91)  Mrs. Fairfax’s view of Rochester (XI: 92) Restlessness vs. tranquility (95-) The laugh (XI 93, 94, XII 96; XV 130)

The Gothic Elements The house – more like a church (“chill and vaultlike” 85) (XI: 92) The third floor – a shrine of memory; like a Bluebeard’s castle (93)

Mr. Rochester XIII (109): giving orders -- Go into the library—I mean, if you please. (Excuse my tone of command; I am used to say "Do this," and it is done…) (111): between orders and curiosity: I had scarce tied the strings of the portfolio, when, …he said abruptly,”—it is nine o'clock: what are you about, Miss Eyre, to let Adèle sit up so long? Take her to bed.” (112)-- Rochester’s family history explained

Mr. Rochester and Jane- Intellectual Equals’ Sympathy to Love XIV: Exchanges of Their Equally Intelligent Minds, Sympathy Aroused– “do you think me handsome?” (115) -- No Rochester’s appearance denied, authority defined (117-18) and past seen as degenerate (119-20); impossible to be conventional with Jane XV: Celine Varens // Bertha (the laugh)  the fire drawing them closer. (calling her “witch, sorceress) XVI: Jane both fears and desires meeting him; draws pictures of herself and Ingram to understand her own position.

Mr. Rochester and Jane- Growing Sympathy to Love Jane XVII – her attention on him (153); “…but he never turned his eyes” (155) XVIII – cannot unlove him (163) Jane reflects a while whether she forgives R; serves him by offering him her shoulders 179 Rochester End of XVII: “…you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes—Good- night, my --'.” XVIII-XIX – the gypsy woman’s fortune- telling 173 – cold, sick, silly; contradictions on her face XVII – governess discussed

The Polite Society and Beyond XVII: 145 Rich, well--adorned Rochester in the center, dull without him. Lady Ingram: pompous, dogmatic Marriage (for money and class) with Ingram: good French, showy, shallow, her mind was poor, (XVIII: 163) Jane’s feelings: from pain [not jealousy?], despair, to becoming lenient to her master (163-65) Adele’s mother (XI): opera dancer -- teach her to dance and sing, -- surrounded by a lot of gentlemen and ladies -- a song about a forsaken lady

The Odd: Grace Poole & Mr. Mason Grace Poole always alone (except for one hour) a mystery in Thornfield (145) Mason “too relaxed” …eyes revealing “a tame, vacant life” (167) From West Indies (168) A big blow to Rochester

Turning Points & Major Motifs The laugh – breaking social bounds meeting Rochester outside Thornfield the fire Disguise – a way to violate social norms? A. Charade: a. bride and groom, b. Rebekah and Isaac, c. Bridewell (which is actually a prison) B. the gypsy woman “Reader, I could not unlove him.” –direct address to Victorian readers