Imagery In Jane Eyre Essay, Research Paper
Jane Eyre tells the story of a woman progressing on the path towards acceptance. Throughout her journey, Jane comes across many obstacles. Male dominance proves to be the biggest obstacle at each stop of Jane’s journey: Gateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, Thornfield Manor, Moor House, and Ferndean Manor. Through the progression of the story, Jane slowly learns how to understand and control her repression. I will be analyzing Janes stops at Thornfield Manor
and Moor House for this is where she met the two most important men in her life. The easiest way to compare and contrast Rochester and St. John Rivers is by examining when and under what circumstances these two gentlemen come into contact with Jane.
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tab It is at Thornfield Manor that Jane
first encounters Mr. Rochester. While living at Thornfield, Rochester demands undivided attention from the servants, Jane included. He needs to be in control of every aspect of his life, and he needs to feel superior to all of those around him. Jane de
cides to accept his control and she concedes to him by calling him sir, even after they begin to have an intimate relationship. At one point, she even goes so far as to excuse herself for thinking. She says, “I was thinking, sir (you will excuse the idea;
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it was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers” (p.289). This statement possibly begins to suggests Janes unsatisfaction with Rochester’s position of complete dominance in their relationship.
To Jane, Rochester embodies the idea of love which she has so long been denied of. As I stated earlier, the whole movie is about Janes journey towards acceptance, by herself and by others. It is this journey which persuades her to move on when she finds
Rochester’s physical and material love unacceptable. par
tab Jane’s next stop on her journey is Moor House. Here, she
meets St. John Rivers, her cousin. Unlike Rochester, St. John is portrayed as the ultimate sacrificer, willing to do anything for others, no matter how undesirable the task might be. St. John also
expects this sacrifice from Jane, and she must decide whether to accept his proposal. At this point in her journey, Jane understands that her search for herself can not be accomplish
marriage proposal by saying, “I have a woman’s heart, but not where you are concerned; for you I only have a comrade’s constancy; a fellow
soldier’s frankness, fidelity, fraternity. . .nothing more.” (p.433). She knows real love can not be given to her by St. John and she must continue on her journey. She must continue towards her destiny rendezvous with Rochesterpar
tab Ferndean Manor is the final stop in Jane’s journey. Once again, Rochester appears as the dominant figure, although his air of superiority has become greatly reduced due to the accident. Due to his ailments he is n
ow completely dependent on those around him, a situation which humbles him. A new man results in this change, and in him, Jane finds her real, spiritual and physical love. She says, “par
All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever” (p.469). Rochester no longer demands people to act inferior around him to boost his eg
o. he is finally at a point in his life where he demands an equal partner. He does not try to contai
n Jane; he sets her free. He says, “Miss Eyre, I repeat it, you can leave me” (p.468). She does not leave him though. Rochester embodies the perfect balance between the physical and th
e spiritual, the natural and graceful, intellectual and physical beauty, and love and servitude. These were feelings that were not present with St. John. Jane is now able to find her true abilities and her balance. par
tab Jane makes many stops on her journey for happiness and equality but the two most important sto
ps I feel are with St. John and Rochester. It is through the experiences with these two gentlemen that Jane learns many of her life lessons. Through her experiences with these two gentlemen she is
able understand and realize qualities in herself and others. With each experience she has with these gentlemen, she learns how to confront her past repression, which in turn leads to her own growth. par
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