1. JANE EYRE: IT’S NOT A PHASE
Chizaram Ajiwe, Sierra Gayle, Wilbert Liu, Jalen Jones, Brayden Holmes
IT’S NOT A PHASE MOM!!!!!

2. Prompt Explanation
The definition of gothic is a style of writing that is characterized by elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic elements, such as nature, individuality, and very high emotion. Jane Eyre is clearly a gothic novel because of all the gloomy, romantic, and individualistic elements of Jane and moments in this book.

3. How does this relate?
In Jane Eyre there are a lot of moments where Jane is extremely fearful and where the atmosphere is horrific like when Mrs. Reed forced her in the red room and also when she is attacked by Rochester’s mentally ill wife, Bertha. Also there is a lot of death that happens in this novel including Mrs. Reed, John Reed, and the heavenly Helen Burns. Not only are there gloomy elements but there are also romantic ones such as nature (when she was admiring the simplistic nature of Moorhouse) and even high emotion when Jane confessing her love for Rochester. Gothic elements are nearly found in the entirety of this novel.

4. Textual evidence
In Jane Eyre, young Jane experiences the loss of her first close friend, Helen Burns. This event portrays a gothic element because it has a death of someone close to Jane. Bronte writes how accepting Helen was of her death, saying “I am very happy, Jane; and when you hear that I am dead, you must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about” (Bronte 73).
You’re breath is kickin’ Helen…

5. Textual Evidence
Another event that makes the novel appear gothic is Rochester bringing Jane to Mason who had been bitten and stabbed by Grace Poole. This event is gothic because it involves elements of horror and suspense. Rochester asking Jane “You don’t turn sick at the sight of blood?” (p. 196) before they enter the room builds suspense and curiosity. The gothic moment intensifies as Mr. Rochester insists that the two not speak to each other, and the gore of  Mason’s injury is further described.

6. Literally…devices.
Bronte’s manipulation of syntax in this adds more intensity and dramatic effect to how she felt after seeing the ghastly figure in the red room. “My heart beat thick; my head grew hot ; sound filled my ears, which I deemed the rushing of wings; something seemed near me; I was oppressed, suffocated: endurance broke; I rushed to the door and shook the lock in desperate effort” (Bronte 11). Bronte’s use of personification is exemplified in the book in order to describe how extreme her emotions rose when she found out that Mr. Rochester had a wife that was now living. “’It simply consists in the existence of a previous marriage. Mr. Rochester has a wife now living.’ My nerves vibrated to thunder– my blood felt their subtle violence as it had never felt frost or fire” (Bronte 275).

7. More devices, literally.
Bronte’s use of visual imagery to describe Bertha epitomizes various gothic traits. Her “Fearful and ghastly…discoloured…savage face” was reminiscent of a “ghost…[or] the foul of German spectre – the vampire” that instilled terror in Jane’s mind, and Bertha’s general horrific demeanor emulates the gothic elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom especially well with regards to the prompt (Bronte ).

9. Prompt connections
The prompt “Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society in which they live. Select a scene in the novel and discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a whole” promotes a discussion as to the nature of the settings and their impact on the novel, which correlates to the assigned prompt’s focus on how the novel explores primarily gothic elements, which include romantic aspects. Our textual evidences and literary devices explore the gothic nature, while the more unconventional details of Jane and the settings function as a challenge to the ideal Victorian woman and the more mysterious nature of the novel.

10. Significant Moments
“A dreadful calamity! Such an immense quantity of valuable property destroyed: hardly any of the furniture could be saved. The fire broke out at dead of night...” (Bronte 407). This moment as Jane leaves the Moorshouse to return to Mr. Rochester, only to find Thornfield Hall, in ruins signifies a gothic element of gloom and destruction of a place she once loved very much.

11. Significant Moment #2
“Even when within a very short distance of the manor-house, you could see nothing of it, so thick and dark drew the timber of the gloomy wood about it.” (Bronte 411). This moment where Jane finds Ferndean gives a great depiction of the dark and gloomy environment that reveal gothic elements regarding the look of the house.

12. Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Starling and Black Publications, 2013.
Works Cited
Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Starling and Black Publications, 2013.
Greaver, James. “Gothic Fiction: Definition, Characteristics & Authors.” Study, Study, study.com/academy/lesson/gothic-fiction-definition-characteristics- authors.html.
Munoz, Veronica. “Jane Eyre.” Munoz, Veronica / Jane Eyre, Glenda Dawson High School,