AS ENGLISH LIT - JANE EYRE - KEY EPISODES - QUOTES

SOME KEY EPISODES AND QUOTATIONS - chosen in class

Fight between John Reed and Jane - chapter 1 pages 13 - 14

• 'Take her away to the red room, and lock her in there.' page 14
• 'Wicked and cruel boy! You are like a murderer - you are like a slave driver - you are like the Roman emperors! page 13

Jane in the red room - chapter 2 pages 19 - 22 

• "The red room was a square chamber" -
• "Deep red damask" -
• "It was the chamber he breathed his last."

Jane meets Brocklehurst - chapter 4 pages 38 - 42

• 'I must keep in good health and not die.' page 39

Jane's confrontation with Mrs Reed - chapter 4 pages 44 - 45

• 'I am not deceitful if I were I would say I loved you.' page 44

Brocklehurst comes to Lowood - Chapter 7 pages 78 -80

• "pedestal of infamy" - page 79
• "what my sensations were, no language can describe...." 79

Helen Burns death - chapter 9 pages 96 - 98

• 'Miss Temple, on returning to her own room at dawn, had found me laid in a crib; my face against Helen Burns's shoulder, my arms round her neck. I was asleep and Helen was dead.' page 98

Jane and Rochester meet pages chapter 12 pages 133 - 136

• 'I cannot commission you to fetch help,' he said; but you may help me a little yourself, if you will be so kind.' page 135

Jane and Rochester interview - chapter 13 pages 142 - 150*

• ' When you came on me in Hay Lane I thought unaccountably of fairy tales' page 143

Fire in Rochester's bedroom - chapter 15 pages 172 - 177

• "Dreadly dark my spirits were depressed."
• "In the mist of blazing and vapour, Rochester lay stretched motionless"

Jane looks after Richard Mason - chapter 20 pages 238 - 245

• "Can I help you sir?- I'd give my life to serve you" 236
• "The moon was full and bright."238
• "A sharp shrilly sound ran end to end of Thornfield." 238

Rochester proposes to Jane - chapter 23 pages 289 - 295

• "Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain and little I am soulless and heartless?"
• Poor and obscure and small and plain as you are I entreat to accept me as a husband."
• "I offer you my heart and a share of all my possessions."
• "the cord of communion will be snapped"

Jane confronts Bertha - chapter 25 pages 326 - 328

• 'She was, 'fearful and ghastly to me', 'It was a discoloured face - it was a savage face.' '...the roll of the red eyes and the fearful blackened inflation of the lineaments!' '...the foul German spectre - the vampire.' page 327
• 'I had at heart a strange and anxious thought.'

Jane's wedding day - chapter 26 pages 333 - 337 the church, pages 338 - 340 the Hall

• 'Mr Rochester has a wife now living.' pages 334

Jane leaves Thornfield - chapter 27 pages 370 - 385

• ['Reader I forgave him at the moment and on the spot.' page 344]
• 'Gentle reader, may you never feel what I felt!'  page 370
• 'I walked along my solitary way.' page 370 

Jane discovers she is an heir to a fortune and has a family - chapter 33 pages 440 - 444

• 'Merely to tell you that your Uncle, Mr Eyre of Madeira is dead; that he has left you all his property, and that now you are rich - merely that - nothing more.' page 440
• 'You three, then, you are my cousins; half our blood on each side flows from the same source?' 'We are cousins; yes.' page 444

Hears Rochester's voice - chapter 35 pages 483

• 'And it was the voice of a human being...that of E F Rochester, and it spoke in pain, and woe, wildly, eerily, urgently.' chapter 353 page 483

Meets Rochester at Ferndean - chapter 37 pages 499 - 501

• 'I rested his wandering hand and imprisoned it in mine.' page 500
• 'I am an independent woman now.' page 501

• 'Reader, I married him.' page 517

A paragraph

Rochester continues to increase Jane's torment  as a way to force her to disclose her love for him. Rochester says referring to their friendship, 'the cord of communion will be snapped.' Bronte has Rochester use metaphorical,  alliterative and onomatopoeic language to force Jane to visualise their inevitable separation and make it more painful. She has him use low frequency lexical choice of 'communion' that elevates their relationship to something sacred and holy.

*Although this is a long extract it is a great dialogue between Rochester and Jane.

AS ENGLISH LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - ESSAY QUESTIONS

AS ENGLISH LITERATURE
POETRY AND PROSE – POST 1800
JANE EYRE – ESSAY QUESTIONS 

Either

a) ‘Mr Rochester is both Jane’s master and her pupil.’
In the light of this comment, discuss Bronte’s presentation of the relationship between Jane and Rochester.

Or

b) Charlotte Bronte’s sensational effects are always grounded in the everyday world.’
 
How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of Jane Eyre?

Either

a) ‘Above all, Jane Eyre is a love story.’

How far and in what ways do you agree with this view?

Or

b) ‘The novel’s settings reflect Jane’s powerful emotions.’

In the light of this comment, discuss the significance of the settings in Jane Eyre.

Either

 a) ‘Jane is an extremely passionate heroine.’ 

In the light of this comment explore passion in the character of Jane.

Or

b) ‘Names play an important role in understanding the novel.’

In the light of this comment explore symbolism in Jane Eyre.

Either

a) ‘For each is the saviour to the other.’

How far and in what ways is this statement an accurate description of the relationship between Rochester and Jane?

Or

 b) Bronte has been described as ‘acutely aware of place.’
In the light of this comment explore the significance of setting in Jane Eyre.

Either
a) ‘Bronte’s mastery of suspense keeps the reader in a state of arousal and tension.’

 In the light of this comment explore the narrative technique in Jane Eyre.

Or

b) ‘At the centre of all great literature there is conflict.’

In the light of this comment explore the significance of conflict in Jane Eyre.

Either

a) ‘Charlotte Bronte’s use of dialogue creates dramatic interest in the novel.’

In the light of this comment, discuss Bronte’s use of dialogue.

Or

b) ‘Bronte’s first person narrative is a master stroke of genius.’

How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of Jane Eyre.

AS LIT - JANE EYRE FEEDBACK FROM TIMED ESSAYS

From the examiner's report 2014

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.

Click here for a link to the mark scheme. Make sure you refer to the varied criteria - especially analysis, context and other readings. Unless you address these you will get low marks.

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.

AS LIT - JANE EYRE PRACTISE ESSAYS

Below are a number of practice essay questions on Jane Eyre.Some of these are from past papers and some I've made up. Use these titles as part of your revision on this question. You can write a plan - in 15 minutes, write a plan and introductory paragraph in 20 minutes. Write a plan, introduction and an analytical paragraph. Write a full essay to one of these essay titles under timed conditions - in one hour.

Either

a) ‘Mr Rochester is both Jane’s master and her pupil.’

In the light of this comment, discuss Bronte’s presentation of the relationship between Jane  and Rochester.  

Or

b) Charlotte Bronte’s sensational effects are always grounded in the everyday world.’

How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of Jane Eyre?

Either

a) ‘Above all, Jane Eyre is a love story.’

How far and in what ways do you agree with this view?

Or

b) ‘The novel’s settings reflect Jane’s powerful emotions.’

In the light of this comment, discuss the significance of the settings in Jane Eyre.

Either

a) ‘Jane is an extremely passionate heroine.’

In the light of this comment explore passion in the character of Jane.

Or

a) ‘Names play an important role in understanding the novel.’

In the light of this comment explore symbolism in Jane Eyre.

Either

a) ‘For each is the saviour to the other.’

 How far and in what ways is this statement an accurate description of the relationship between Rochester and Jane?

Or

b) Bronte has been described as ‘acutely aware of place.’

In the light of this comment explore the significance of setting in Jane Eyre.

Either

a) ‘Bronte’s mastery of suspense keeps the reader in a state of arousal and tension.’

In the light of this comment explore the narrative technique in Jane Eyre.

Or

b) ‘At the centre of all great literature there is conflict.’

In the light of this comment explore the significance of conflict in Jane Eyre.

AS LIT - JANE EYRE LINKS TO CONTEXT AND CRITICISM

Click here for a link to a very good website with a lot of material on Jane Eyre. We'll have a look at this next week and perhaps look at a specific article.

AS LIT - EXAMPLE ESSAYS ON JANE EYRE AND EMILY DICKINSON WITH COMMENTS

Click here for a link to the OCR website. This document shows example scripts with marginal comments concerning the Assessment Objectives and final examiner comments at the end of each essay.

You'll need to scroll down the page to find the relevant essays on Jane Eyre and Emily Dickinson.

Hope you find this helpful.

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - emagazine articles

Click here and scroll down to Charlotte Bronte for a number of useful articles on Jane Eyre.

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - CONTEXTS AND THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES - A LINK

Here is a link to a very good website on Jane Eyre

I strongly recommend that you visit this site to develop your thoughts about this text.

The Victorian Web

This site contains some very good material

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - HOMEWORK

TASK

Write four paragraphs on the presentation of Jane in the Gateshead chapters of the novel. These are chapter's 1 - 5 inclusive.

DEADLINE

Monday 27 January - Stephen and Jamie's class

Paragraphs must have:

a topic sentence

expand on topic

introduce quotation

quote

Make a variety of comments in the paragraphs. Paragraphs must include at least 3 of the following comments

• comment on the presentation of Jane
• identify literary features
• the effect on readers
• make a contextual reference
• make a literay comment
• make a theoretical perspective comment 

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - EVE

Adam and Eve by Gustav Klimt 1862 - 1918

 

 

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE PRESENTATIONS DETAILS

AS LITERATURE
POETRY AND PROSE 1800–1945 (Closed text)
JANE EYRE – PRESENTATION DETAILS

Here is a table with the names, topics and dates for the presentations this half term.

We will start the presentations in the week beginning 20 January and we’ll have one topic per lesson that might be one single joint presentation or two shorter independent presentations.

 

Presentations should be no shorter than 7 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes - for a joint presentation and no longer than 5 minutes or shorter than 3 minutes for an independent presentation.

 

You should begin researching your topic now and discuss what you will be covering with the other person. I expect that you might begin by looking at Wikipedia but I expect you to find other more specialist resources.

 

You should produce a bullet point handout covering the main points of your presentation. A joint presentation must be an A4 size handout. A single independent presentation should be half a side of A4.  

TOPIC	With Stephen	DATE	With Jamie	DATE
Biography of Charlotte Bronte	Ruth /Kai	20 January	Samia / Phoebe	20 January
Poverty	Amber F / Polena	23 January	Chantelle / Meeka	24 January
Wealth	Amber P / Elaine	27 January	Darshi / Jack	27 January
National politics	Courtney / Sapphire	30 January		31 January
International politics	Oliver	3 February	Kenneth	3 February
Role of women	Rana / Fyela	6 February	Kai / Amber	7 February
Role of men		10 February	Suha / Madison / Henna	10 February
Education	Jade / Rochelle	13 February	Hayden / Domenica / Svetlana	14 February
Religion	Syeda / Tamara	24 February	Will / Yasmin	24 February

 

AS LITERATURE - JANE EYRE - READING

AS ENGLISH LITERATURE

JANE EYRE - TIMING

There are about 18 weeks to the English Literature exam. Subtract 3 weeks for holidays and 3 weeks revision. The exam is on 16 May 2014 am. It is a 2 HOUR EXAM – 1 HOUR PER QUESTION. This part of the course is CLOSED BOOK. There are 38 chapters in Jane Eyre. That means 38 chapters 10 weeks. Therefore we need to cover 4 chapters a week at least two chapters a lesson.

CHAPTER	WEEK BEGINNING
1	6 January 2014
2
3
4
5	13 January
6
7
8
9	20 January
10
11
12
13	27 January
14
15
16
17	3 February
18
19
20
21	10 February
22
23
24
25	24 February
26
27
28
29	3 March
30
31
32
33	10 March
34
35
36
37	17 March
38

Class Preparation

It is vital - now that you have completed your first reading of the novel - that you follow this up with a second more in depth and informed reading. Here are five new questions that you must use in preparation for each lesson.

You must prepare for each lesson by rereading the relevant chapters to be covered in the lesson. You must also consider some – the most relevant - of the following questions.

·         How does the setting contribute to your appreciation of the novel?

·         In what way is the social, political and biographical context of the novel being addressed?

·         How do these chapters fit into the novel as a whole?

·         How are the main characters of the novel constructed?

·         What do you notice about the writing style used throughout the novel?

·         What different strategies does Bronte use to create her narrator?

·         What does your prepared reading tell you about these key themes; love, independence, roles of women, roles of men, social class and religion?

·         How is morality discussed throughout the novel? Consider human rights, slavery, adultery?

·         What are the conventions of the genre of romantic novel?