This is increasingly a popular text, and almost all candidates responded to the (a) question on ‘hunger, rebellion and rage’. Sometimes they strayed into narrative [this means story telling or description], but usually came back. A general view was that 'Jane learns to repress her rage, rebellion and hunger in many ways, while her alter ego Bertha Mason releases them'. Hunger was interpreted variously as actual, spiritual, for love or for liberty. While many answers restricted discussion to these qualities in the character of Jane Eyre, others widened their discussion to include additional characters or even created a strong argument based on the novel’s own ‘rebellion’ in the face of Victorian convention [a contextual point here]. Some candidates made skilful use of contemporary reviews of Jane Eyre to emphasise how the novel surprised and shocked readers in ways that might be unexpected by the 21st Century student of the text [this is a comment on other readings]. There were far fewer answers to the (b) option on Jane Eyre as ‘one of the great mystery stories’; these usually included good discussion of Gothic elements and setting, but sometimes dismissed the ‘mystery story’ suggestion quite early in their answers in favour of preferred readings
Question a
Charlotte Bronte's work has been described as full of 'hunger, rebellion and rage.'
How far and in what ways have you found these qualities in Jane Eyre?
- Define key terms in the essay title - define 'hunger' (as a metaphor and its literal meaning) - define rebellion and anger in the context of the time.
- I'd expect that when defining rebellion you would be making specific reference to Jane challenging the conventions of Victorian society. Probably the most significant challenges is her assumption of her equality to Rochester. This is most clearly presented in chapter 23 [XXIII] page 292, where Jane begins 'I have as much soul as you - and full as much heart.'
- Focus your attention on key episodes to illustrate the three terms - John Reed and the red room episodes are perfect episodes. Jane's punishment on the stool at Lowood, Helen's death, her acceptance and rejection of Rochester - at Thornfield and St John - at Moor House is evidence of rebellion.I'd expect you to refer to Jane's period of destitutuion after the failed wedding and before she arrives at Moor House. This seems an obvious episode to focus on in the essay.
- In answering this question - in fact any question on Jane Eyre - you should ask yourself - what is the function of these concepts - mystery, suspense, hunger, rebellion and anger? There function 'gentle reader' is to keep us interested, to keep us reading the novel. Each of these concepts - in both questions are about conflict. That is between the way the world is and the way Jane [and we] wish the world to be.
Question b
'Jane Eyre is one of the great mystery stories.'
In the light of this comment, discuss Bronte's use of mystery and suspense in the novel.
- Define what is meant by 'mystery' - something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. And 'suspense' - a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen. Link these concepts to the Gothic genre. However there are several episodes that we could describe as full of suspense without being connected with the Gothic.
- Mystery is an important element in the novel. All the mystery you write about should be with reference to Bertha Mason - she is the centre of the mystery at Thornfield. She is the source of all the Gothic features in the novel. Other mysteries pale into insignificance in comparison.
- Reference to first person narratives enhances mystery and suspense.
- Refer to episodes that we can describe as rising action - a series of episodes that escalate in conflict and tension that lead or foreshadow the impending climax of the novel . It starts with a laugh and develops to Rochester's bedroom fire, continues with the attack on Richard Mason and is completed with the fire that destroys Thornfield Hall. Click here to hear a musical version of the concept rising action. In music the term is cresendo. Or click here for a less conventional and more contemporary treatment of the same peice of music.
- The function of mystery and suspense is to keep a reader interested and continue reading the novel.
- Focus your attention on key episodes to illustrate mystery and suspense. For example - the red room episode in chapter 3 introduces into the novel gothic elements that will be present throughout the novel. It's a perfect episode.
- In answering this question - in fact any question on Jane Eyre - you should ask yourself - what is the function of these concepts - mystery, suspense, hunger, rebellion and anger? There function 'gentle reader' is to keep us interested, to keep us reading the novel. Each of these concepts - in both questions are about conflict. That is between the way the world is and the way Jane [and we] wish the world to be.
