, Research Paper
Mystery and suspense in Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre provides a
crucial element to the reader’s interpretation of the novel,
allowing Bronte to subtly aid the reader in foreboding coming
events. Bronte successfully creates mystery and suspense in her
novel through the use of both features of plot and narrative
techniques. Bronte’s features of plot which allow her to create
mystery and suspense are the esoteric nature of Grace Poole, the
visit of the fortune teller at Thornfield, and the fire in
Rochester’s bedroom and the subsequent mystery of what is in the
attic. Bronte’s narrative techniques are the use of literary
symbolism and dreams, both of which are used to convey a Gothic
and supernatural setting. Through the use of these literary
devices, Jane Eyre becomes both cabbalistic and prophetic.
Bronte’s character Grace Poole is surrounded by a obscure haze
from the reader’s first introduction to her, an effective device
used in order to create a mysterious atmosphere in the novel. Jane
first learns of the occult Grace Poole upon hearing her laugh upon
being shown the attic by Mrs Fairfax. Bronte first creates an
ambience of mystery through the initial description of the
setting. The attic is described by Jane as being “black as a
vault” (chapter 11, page 122) and the leading passageway as
“narrow, low, and dim” (chapter 11, page 122). Jane observes all
the doors being shut, which allows the reader to interpret the
third story of Thornfield as inaccessible and isolated, perhaps
intentionally attempting to conceal something, much likened to
“Bluebeard’s castle” (chapter 11, page 122) in which behind the
locked doors was hidden the deadly secret of the castle. The laugh
which Jane hears is described by Jane as being “a curious laugh;
distinct, formal, mirthless” (chapter 11, page 122). The
peculiarity of laugh, it not being cheerful nor delighted,
perplexes Jane as well as the reader, this intimating that the
origin of the laugh is not of the typical sort. Jane’s curiosity
prompts her to ask of Mrs Fairfax the origin of the laugh. Mrs
Fairfax’s vague answer does not satisfy Jane, even less so after
hearing the laugh once more, it being “tragic, as preternatural a
laugh as any I ever heard” (chapter 11, page 123). That another
inquisitive remark made by Jane is again answered vaguely after
which the subject of the conversation is soon changed only adds to
the suspense of the incident. Following the fire in Rochester’s
bedroom, Jane observes Grace Poole the next day in the room. The
circumstances in which this occurs are largely ordinary. It is
morning and Grace is dressed in her usual attire, her expression
showing “nothing either of the paleness or desperation one would
have expected to see marking the countenance of a woman who had
attempted murder” (chapter 16, page 176). The extreme ordinarity
of her provokes the reader into thinking past her exterior
appearance whilst simultaneously adding to the suspense of the
situation. Bronte again uses the outwardly evident normalcy of
Grace Poole in contrast to the earlier mysterious descriptions of
her to further develop the suspense surrounding her character as
Jane recounts to Rochester her dream of the unknown figure in her
closet who tears her wedding veil. Jane’s fear is momentarily
subsided by Rochester’s “solving of the mystery” (chapter 25, page
319) in a way which does not nearly satisfy the reader
due to Jane’s vivid description of the event and her horrifying
fear. Bronte uses Grace Poole to create an atmosphere of mystery
and suspense through vivid descriptions of the ghostly atmosphere
which emanates whenever she is present as well as a contrasting
ordinarity which further compels the reader to see Grace Poole in
light of a an “enigmatic character” (chapter 16, page 178).
The use of a fortune teller at Thornfield by Bronte allows her to
add mystery and suspense through the mystic and strange nature of
fortune tellers of that time. Bronte initially establishes a
suspenseful ambience through Jane’s remark; “and the Sybil – if
Sybil she were” (chapter 19, page 221) which suggests to the
reader that her character is perhaps doubtful and she may not be
who she at first seems. The reader is made eager to hear the
fortune of our heroine through Jane’s apathetic indifference as to
whether it is read or not; “I don’t care about it, mother; but you
may please yourself” (chapter 19, page 221). Possibly the most
mysterious and suspenseful feature of plot is the fortune tellers
precisely accurate account of Jane’s predicament; “You are cold,
because you are alone: no contact strikes the fire from you that
is in you. You are sick; because the best of feelings, the highest
and the sweetest given to man, keeps far away from you. You are
silly, because, suffer as you may, you will not beckon it to
approach; nor will you stir one step to meet it where it awaits
you.” (chapter 19, page 222). This description of Jane’s
circumstance both compels the reader to trust the source, it being
rather accurate, whilst also creates suspense as to what shall
become of Jane and Rochester, which the reader is well aware that
such is what the fortune teller is alluding to. Upon her mention
of the enigmatic Grace Poole, both Jane and the reader are
startled. The reader is again drawn into the abstruseness of the
situation through the fortune teller’s astounding knowledge of
Jane’s habits, and even more so by her subtle but discernible
quest for some sort of information, neither the reader nor Jane
knowing what exactly it is she wants to hear, however this adds to
the suspense in our desire to know. As the subject of Mr Rochester
is brought up it seems as if the fortune teller has struck her
chord. However it is with her revelation of his forthcoming
marriage which more interests the reader. A climax of suspense and
mystery is reached as Rochester steps out of his disguise.
Although it can be said that the divulgence of his identify
somewhat solved the mystery, it is even more accurate to say that
this revelation merely added to the mystery, his intended purpose
still to be discovered. Rochester’s apparent disturbance at the
knowledge of Mason’s residence at Thornfield provokes the reader’s
attention, creating suspense as to his purpose and coming events.
Bronte leaves the reader ill at ease with Jane’s closing comment;
“the gay tones set my heart at ease” (chapter 19, page 230). The
reader is well aware that this will be no peaceful nights sleep.
Bronte has successfully created tension and suspense as to the
almost certainly tragic impending events.
The fire in Rochester’s bedroom not only forms a sense of mystery
regarding…
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