1. DECONSTRUCTION
Jane Eyre
and

2. What is Deconstruction?
Questioning binary opposition
Unlimited interpretations
Ex: Jane Eyre = feminist
… or misogynist?

3. Deconstruction Article
Jane doesn’t connect with women, only men who are trapped by their families and escape through imperialism.
Rochester’s older brother inherits their family wealth, so Edward marries a woman in Jamaica.
Trapped in marriage with Bertha, so can’t marry Jane.
imperialsm-Rochester's older brother inherits their family wealth, so Edward marries a woman in Jamaica-Trapped in marriage with Bertha so can't marry Jane

4. Article
St John’s father and Uncle Eyre have a fued, so Eyre’s inheritance goes to Jane
St John goes to India to gain authority, but dies there
-St to Jane-St John goes to India to gain authority, but dies there

5. Article John Eyre, John Reed, St John Rivers, Jane Eyre
Jane’s treatment of Adele mirrors Mrs. Reed’s treatment of Jane
Sends her to school to be “docile, good-tempered, and well-principled”.

6. Jane
Timid, Intelligent, Articulate, Composed, Strong, Independent

7. Bertha
Insane, Wild, Uncontrollable, Murderous, Violent

8. Jane = Bertha Not composed
Fights with John Reed and Mrs. Reed *
Argues passionately with Rochester
As a child > rebellious, untamed. Restrained as an adult.
Ex 1 line, skit w/ mrs reed.

9. Bertha = Jane Witty, cunning, intelligent
Like Jane: articulate, “art of weeping”.
Bertha is calculating in lighting fire, “cunning in craft” *.

10. Rochester constrains J & B
Bertha: physically held in attic.
Jane: mentally manipulated to fall deeper in love with him.
Selfish: Jane - for his happiness, protection. Bertha - guiltlessness, security, benefits from marriage.

11. Influence over Rochester
Jane: manipulative “art of weeping” *, bigamy, devotion, makes him cuckoo *.
Bertha: keeps from marrying, burden, constraint.

12. Misleading appearance
Jane: looks plain, but is interesting, insightful, intelligent.
Bertha: composed to lure in Rochester, benefits of marriage, looks beautiful to disguise mental illness.

13. Free spirits Societal constraints nonexistent
Jane: Doesn’t hold her tongue, speaks her mind.
Bertha: Doesn’t hold back in actions, tries to kill Rochester, laughs wildly.