Bloom's Article Summaries

“Almost my Hope of Heaven: Idolatry and Messianic Symbolism in Jane Eyre”

                In this article, Essaka discusses St. John’s life, death, and the symbolism that accompanies it. He also makes many major points about the idolatry between characters. The essay starts with a description of St. John and his attributes that might justify his sainthood. It goes on to describe how St. John, Jane, and Mr. Rochester act as symbols in the novel, while a large portion of the essay is devoted to the analysis of biblical references and the message that Charlotte Bronte might be sending through them. After the analysis of the biblical references, the author goes on to discuss the differences between Mr. Rochester and St. John Rivers, concluding with references from other authors to add credibility to his work.

“Jane Eyre’s Moral Choices”

                At the beginning of this essay, Benvenuto speaks of Jane Eyre’s multi-faceted personality, and how it could be the root of all conflict in the book. Indeed, if Jane only had one personality, “the conflict would be resolvable.” Jane, however, chooses to move between passion and conscience, making very firm commitments to each path she takes. Neither Rochester nor St. John is truly right or wrong, says Benvenuto. Jane has a right to a “self-made moral life.” The essay talks about Jane’s fluctuation between the two sides of her personality, and how it is resolved in the end.

“The Struggle between Jane Eyre and Rochester”

                The essay begins with a description of Jane’s tragic loving fascination for Mr. Rochester; speaking of Jane’s moral scruples fighting against her worshipping feelings. Chase refers to Charlotte Bronte’s life before the novel and the character that inspired the madwoman Bertha, transitioning to Jane’s flight from her husband to be. Jane was acting out of duty, but she refuses her “duty” when she refuses St. John’s hand in marriage. Chase concludes the article by summarizing the conclusion of the novel. He ends on this powerful concluding phrase: “The tempo and energy of the universe can be quelled, we see, by a patient, practical woman.”

Jane Eyre- Thesis

Both Jane and Mr. Rochester, through many terrible trials, finally come to accept God as their supreme ruler and accept his guidance and judgement.

Jane Eyre- Philosophical Approach

In Jane Eyre, the story presents an optimistic view of life. Jane learns to make the best of everything that happens to her as well as thinking the best of everyone. She finds that all circumstances work towards the good of all.

Mankind’s relationship to God, as portrayed in Jane Eyre, is that of a humble servant. Jane finds that her relationship with God consoles her when she finds herself in difficult situations. She wishes to do good and better the universe by her actions.

Jane Eyre explicitly states that we as humans should think the best of others and do the best that we can for other people. However, we should not give up our lives to our work for other people.

The author of Jane Eyre believes that God is the supreme creator and designs life perfectly. Fate is just another name for the work of God’s hands.

Jane Eyre is a story of a good, true, loyal, and pure girl making her way through evil circumstances. Through the story the author portrays the message that God always has a better plan to conquer evil and evil circumstances.

In the story Jane Eyre, Jane falls in love with Mr. Rochester, who is a kind person with many flaws and failings. The phrase “only human” applies to all of her characters, which illustrates that Charlotte understands human nature. We intend to do good, but oftentimes we fail in our endeavors. 

Jane Eyre- Responsibilities

Question #8

                As a child, author Charlotte Bronte endured a difficult life. Two of her sisters died at a young age, and evidence illustrates that all was not well at home. (Melani) Despite these setbacks, Charlotte and two of her sisters grew into famous novelists and gained a good reputation that was unusual for women in those days. Jane Eyre is almost an autobiography of Charlotte’s life. Miss Bronte uses many details from her experiences to further the plot in her own story. The tragic deaths of her sisters and her brother’s demise into alcoholism served as the basis for important characters and events in the story. For instance, it is possible that Jane’s brother served as the model for Master John Reed.

                Although people like John Reed were cruel to Jane, she still returns to them with empathy and kindness. The lessons that Jane learned from Helen Burns dominate her personality as she struggles to reconcile with her relations. Ironically, Helen tells Jane, “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.” (page 34) When Jane returns to Mrs. Reed, she has all but forgotten how she had been treated, and longs only for reconciliation. However, Mrs. Reed has not forgotten her enmity toward Jane, and even holds onto her hatred on her dying bed. Charlotte Bronte understands that all humans owe each other compassion and forgiveness.

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print

Jane Eyre- Engaging Techniques

Question #7

Charlotte Bronte uses many techniques to engage her audience when reading Jane Eyre. One of the most important parts of the story is Jane herself. Charlotte introduces Jane to readers when she is very young. Jane narrates in first person, and through her descriptive language, readers witness the abuse of the child almost as if they were truly there. Seeing Jane at an early age with such hardships invites readers’ sympathy and good feelings towards Jane. Thus, the readers are drawn in at the first chapter, anxious to know what becomes of this unfortunate young girl.

                In addition to a vivid character in a horrid situation, Charlotte depicts, in the style of a Victorian gothic novel, scenes of horror and suspense. Mr. Rochester does not reveal the identity of Bertha until he is forced to do so. He places false suspicion on Grace Poole, but even so, there is an aura of mystery and suspense in the building that Jane (and the readers) cannot figure out until all is revealed. As Jane herself says, “There was a mystery at Thornfield; and that from participation in this mystery, I was purposely excluded.” (page 94) Using these techniques, Charlotte is able to keep her readers interested in the plot until the very end of the novel.

                Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print

Jane Eyre- Relevance Today

Question #6

A book that was even popular in the 1800s, Jane Eyre is still treasured today, for the characters are engaging and relatable and the themes are still relevant today. The story opens with a passionate but bookish girl for whom readers feel affection from the beginning of the story. Watching this character grow into womanhood is a delight for readers just as much now as it was in the 1800s. Although the settings and social customs are outdated, the characters’ personalities (especially Jane’s) ring just as true today as they did hundreds of years ago, thus making the book an engaging and relatable read.

 In addition to the characters whose personalities still ring true today, Charlotte Bronte’s themes and messages are still just as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago. She speaks of religion and the hypocrisy that can accompany even its most devout followers. Religion and faith traverse time. “I disliked Mr. Brocklehurst… [he read] evening readings from books of his own inditing, about sudden deaths and judgments, which made us afraid to go to bed.” (page 74)

 Additionally, Charlotte is constantly speaking of the separation of social classes and the effect that it has on individual people. Today, though the division is less dramatic than it was two hundred years ago, the separation of classes is still evident in our society. These universal themes and characters make Jane Eyre a book that is still treasured by readers today.

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print

Jane Eyre- Social Issues

Question #5

Jane Eyre tells the story of a young girl’s hardships as she contrives to make a way for herself as a school governess. Through the voice of Jane, the young girl, Charlotte Bronte provides a harsh social commentary on the time period and setting in which Jane lives her life. While at Lowood Jane is forced to endure terrible hardships as a young girl, as Mr. Brocklehurst puts it, for the sake of “salvation.” Helen Burns, however, teaches Jane about God and how to be a quiet, submissive Christian. The foil between these two characters illustrates the horrid conditions in schools and the hypocrisy of many preachers. Even today, we can learn a lesson from Helen Burns. It is true that the novel is accurate to history; many agree that the events in Jane Eyre mirror the events in Charlotte Bronte’s own life. (Melani)

In addition to the hardships and hypocrisy found at Lowood, Jane Eyre speaks out against the oppression of women. In the era that the novel was published, women were expected to perform their household duties without branching out into the world with their talents. Jane acts as the voice for these women, blatantly speaking out against their lot in life. “It is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.” Charlotte wrote Jane Eyre under a male pen name, and used events and social customs to build her novel and speak out against her lot in life.

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print