Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Was born of Irish ancestry in 1816 Was born of Irish ancestry in 1816 Mother died of cancer when Charlotte was 5 years old Mother died of cancer when Charlotte was 5 years old Father, a clergyman Father, a clergyman Lived at Haworth, a parsonage Lived at Haworth, a parsonage

Bronte’s Religious Views Father, Patrick Bronte, was an Anglican clergyman Father, Patrick Bronte, was an Anglican clergyman Charlotte often wrote about religious hypocrisy — those who preach one doctrine but live by another Charlotte often wrote about religious hypocrisy — those who preach one doctrine but live by another

The Bronte Children Charlotte had four sisters and one brother. Charlotte had four sisters and one brother. After their mother’s death, Brontë and her sisters were sent to the Clergy Daughters’ School. After their mother’s death, Brontë and her sisters were sent to the Clergy Daughters’ School. The food was bad Discipline was harsh Disease was rampant

Schooling During the early 19 th century, it became fashionable to educate females. During the early 19 th century, it became fashionable to educate females. However, free education was not yet available for either sex. However, free education was not yet available for either sex. Only the very rich could send their daughters to elegant girls’ schools Only the very rich could send their daughters to elegant girls’ schools

The Bronte Family Bronte’s two older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of tuberculosis. Bronte’s two older sisters (Maria & Elizabeth) died of tuberculosis. Brother died from alcohol & drug abuse Brother died from alcohol & drug abuse Two remaining sisters, Emily & Anne, also died from tuberculosis Two remaining sisters, Emily & Anne, also died from tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis was a common killer during the Victorian era.Tuberculosis was a common killer during the Victorian era. Tuberculosis often destroys its victims’ lungs, resulting in a bloody cough.Tuberculosis often destroys its victims’ lungs, resulting in a bloody cough. If untreated, sufferers may die because their lungs are so badly damaged.If untreated, sufferers may die because their lungs are so badly damaged.

All in the Family The Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge would become the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls’ school in Jane Eyre. The Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge would become the model for Lowood, the fictitious girls’ school in Jane Eyre. Prior to their death, Charlotte's sisters, Anne and Emily Bronte, both became successful writers. Prior to their death, Charlotte's sisters, Anne and Emily Bronte, both became successful writers. In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters began publishing poems and writing novels: In 1846, Charlotte & her sisters began publishing poems and writing novels: The Professor was Charlotte’s attempt to fictionalize her love for a college professor she had met at Brussels. The Professor was Charlotte’s attempt to fictionalize her love for a college professor she had met at Brussels. In 1847 Wuthering Heights was sister Emily’s first success. In 1847 Wuthering Heights was sister Emily’s first success. Anne published Agnes Grey in Anne published Agnes Grey in Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre. Charlotte followed with Jane Eyre. Charlotte’s brother, Branwell, was a gifted painter. Charlotte’s brother, Branwell, was a gifted painter. Emily Bronte Anne Bronte Branwell Bronte Charlotte Bronte

All 3 Bronte sisters… Used a masculine pen name because women writers were not taken seriously at that time in Victorian England. Used a masculine pen name because women writers were not taken seriously at that time in Victorian England. Charlotte used the name Currer Bell. Charlotte used the name Currer Bell.

Marriage In 1854 Charlotte married her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nichols. In 1854 Charlotte married her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nichols. The next year, she became pregnant, then ill. The next year, she became pregnant, then ill. She died a month before her 39 th birthday. She died a month before her 39 th birthday.

Romantic Influence The Romantic Movement The Romantic Movement Began around the end of the 18 th Century Championed the rights of the individual over the demands of society Believed that humans were inherently good Valued imagination over reason Inspired by nature

Charlotte – influenced by Romantic poets Charlotte – influenced by Romantic poets Emphasized individual, liberty, importance of nature Emphasized individual, liberty, importance of nature Byronic hero (*see following slide) Byronic hero (*see following slide) Rebel, outcast Rebel, outcast Proud, melancholy (sad, pouting) Proud, melancholy (sad, pouting) Unconventional morality Unconventional morality Committed many sins in past Committed many sins in past Must repent of those sins Must repent of those sins Seeks purer life Seeks purer life Romantic Influence

Byronic Hero This term is created by the famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron. This term is created by the famous poet George Gordon, Lord Byron. Characteristics are… Characteristics are… Proud Gloomy Mysterious Passionate *Mr. Rochester is an example of this type

Marlon Brando in The Wild One irresistible bad boyMovies such as Marlon Brando’s The Wild One popularized the ideal of an irresistible bad boy, glamorous in his fatal passion, rivaling society with a hell-bent glare. This bad boy stereotype first entered English culture in the Romantic poetry of Lord Byron. These ill-fated but beautifully emotional characters are called “Byronic Heroes.” Byronic Hero

Johnny Depp Brandon Lee in The Crow Layne Staley of Alice in ChainsSean Connery Tupac Shakur Rufus Sewell in Dark City

Characteristics of the Byronic Hero A Byronic hero exhibits several character traits, and in many ways he can be considered a rebel. is a rebel (against convention, society, etc.)is a rebel (against convention, society, etc.) has a distaste for society and social institutionshas a distaste for society and social institutions is isolated from society (a wanderer, an exile)is isolated from society (a wanderer, an exile) is not impressed by rank and privilege (though he may possess it)is not impressed by rank and privilege (though he may possess it) is larger-than-life in his ability--and his prideis larger-than-life in his ability--and his pride has a hidden curse or crimehas a hidden curse or crime suffers from titanic passionssuffers from titanic passions tends to be self-destructivetends to be self-destructive

Characteristics of the Byronic Hero One of the key connections to understanding the Byronic Hero is that he is, in some ways, like the Romantic conception of Satan in Paradise Lost--the rebel who fights against a tyrannical establishment but is destroyed by his own overwhelming pride.One of the key connections to understanding the Byronic Hero is that he is, in some ways, like the Romantic conception of Satan in Paradise Lost--the rebel who fights against a tyrannical establishment but is destroyed by his own overwhelming pride. This figure is an unconventional hero -- dangerous and destructive, but admirable because he is larger than life.This figure is an unconventional hero -- dangerous and destructive, but admirable because he is larger than life.

Gothic Influence Jane Eyre contains characteristics of the gothic novel: Jane Eyre contains characteristics of the gothic novel: Imprisoned women Imprisoned women A heroine who faces danger A heroine who faces danger Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot Supernatural interventions at crucial moments in the plot A romantic reconciliation A romantic reconciliation

The Novel Supernatural experiences Supernatural experiences Remote landscapes Remote landscapes Mysterious occurrences Mysterious occurrences Suspense Suspense Fear Fear Ghosts Ghosts Dark secrets Dark secrets Sinister plots Sinister plots Fantasy/mystery Fantasy/mystery Gothic Horror Story / Romance

Modern Examples

The Novel Autobiographical Autobiographical Heroine suffers, finds love she deserves Heroine suffers, finds love she deserves Romantic fantasy – fairy tales Romantic fantasy – fairy tales Coming-of-age story – growing up, coping – adult responsibilities & sorrows Coming-of-age story – growing up, coping – adult responsibilities & sorrows Bildungsroman – childhood through adulthood – linked to specific places Bildungsroman – childhood through adulthood – linked to specific places Romantic love story Romantic love story

Bildungsroman story of a single individual's growth and development within the context of a defined social order story of a single individual's growth and development within the context of a defined social order growth process = "an apprenticeship to life" and a "search for meaningful existence within society“ growth process = "an apprenticeship to life" and a "search for meaningful existence within society“ some form of loss/discontentment occurs at early age some form of loss/discontentment occurs at early age hero or heroine leaves on a journey away from the home or family setting hero or heroine leaves on a journey away from the home or family setting process of maturity is long, arduous, and gradual, consisting of repeated clashes between the protagonist's needs and desires and the views and judgments enforced by an unbending social order process of maturity is long, arduous, and gradual, consisting of repeated clashes between the protagonist's needs and desires and the views and judgments enforced by an unbending social order eventually, the spirit and values of the social order become manifest in the protagonist, who is then accommodated into society eventually, the spirit and values of the social order become manifest in the protagonist, who is then accommodated into society novel ends with an assessment by the protagonist of him/herself and his/her new place in society novel ends with an assessment by the protagonist of him/herself and his/her new place in society (Marianne Hirsch in “The Novel of Formation as Genre”)

Charlotte Bronte’s Novels Equality, strength, purpose of women Equality, strength, purpose of women Individual’s relationship/responsibilities to God Individual’s relationship/responsibilities to God Charlotte’s characters are female heroines Charlotte’s characters are female heroines Physically plain Physically plain Outsiders to their environment Outsiders to their environment Inferior treatment Inferior treatment Eventually achieve equality, acceptance, place in society Eventually achieve equality, acceptance, place in society Charlotte’s novels – love is the most important thing on earth Charlotte’s novels – love is the most important thing on earth

Quotes by Charlotte Bronte It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. It is vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own. If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.

THE NOVEL Jane Eyre was published in London in 1847.

A Ground Breaking Novel Why? 1. T he heroine is small, plain, & poor 2. T he heroine is the first female character to claim the right to feel strongly about her emotions and act on her convictions 3. T his romantic ground had previously been reserved for males 4. S uch a psychologically complex heroine had never been created before

Key Facts All events are told in the past from Jane’s point of view. All events are told in the past from Jane’s point of view. The setting is early 19 th Century England. The setting is early 19 th Century England. Jane Eyre is classified as both a Gothic and a Romantic novel. Jane Eyre is classified as both a Gothic and a Romantic novel.

Jane Eyre protagonist protagonist orphaned as a child orphaned as a child becomes governess at Thornfield becomes governess at Thornfield feisty young child, who grows into a strong woman feisty young child, who grows into a strong woman embodies the English working-class woman embodies the English working-class woman

Edward Rochester Jane’s boss at Thornfield Jane’s boss at Thornfield Gruff and rude Gruff and rude Made wealthy by family money Made wealthy by family money Benefactor to Adèle Varens Benefactor to Adèle Varens Very secretive and sometimes deceitful Very secretive and sometimes deceitful

Introduction Jane Eyre is an orphan in 1800s England. Jane Eyre is an orphan in 1800s England. Jane’s parents died of typhus when she was a baby. Jane’s parents died of typhus when she was a baby. Mrs. Reed, her aunt, has agreed to raise her, but she and her three children treat Jane cruelly. Mrs. Reed, her aunt, has agreed to raise her, but she and her three children treat Jane cruelly. Yet, Mrs. Reed expects Jane to be thankful. Yet, Mrs. Reed expects Jane to be thankful.

Love Jane is constantly in search of love Jane is constantly in search of love She searches for romantic love in She searches for romantic love in Rochester Rochester motherly love through Miss Temple and Mrs. Fairfax motherly love through Miss Temple and Mrs. Fairfax and friendship through the Rivers siblings, Helen Burns, and Rochester and friendship through the Rivers siblings, Helen Burns, and Rochester Jane’s search for love might stem from the scorn she felt as a child Jane’s search for love might stem from the scorn she felt as a child

Social Class Jane often feels inadequate compared to many of the other main characters in the novel. Jane often feels inadequate compared to many of the other main characters in the novel. Jane feels that her love for Rochester is wrong because she isn’t from the same class. Jane feels that her love for Rochester is wrong because she isn’t from the same class. Class segregates Jane from her cousins on both sides, although it is more obvious on the Reed side. Class segregates Jane from her cousins on both sides, although it is more obvious on the Reed side. Blanche Ingram is the class opposite of Jane. Blanche Ingram is the class opposite of Jane.

Role of the Governess o With the new stress on female education, governesses were in demand. o Pay was poor, but it was one of the only jobs available to educated, yet impoverished young women. o Employers & other servants often shunned the governess because they felt they were “putting on airs.” o Their employers would often ignore them, too, because they had a superior education, which intimidated many people – especially men.

Religion Religion plays a large role in this novel. Religion plays a large role in this novel. Helen Burns taught Jane a view of faith and God that she could understand. Helen Burns taught Jane a view of faith and God that she could understand. Mr. Brocklehurst’s Evangelical view had negative effects on Jane, as did St. John River’s Empirical view. Mr. Brocklehurst’s Evangelical view had negative effects on Jane, as did St. John River’s Empirical view. Even the once cruel Eliza Reed joins a French convent. Even the once cruel Eliza Reed joins a French convent.

Mother Figures In her search for love, Jane also looks for the mother figure that she missed as a child. In her search for love, Jane also looks for the mother figure that she missed as a child. Jane finds the characteristics she is looking for in: Jane finds the characteristics she is looking for in: Miss Temple Miss Temple Mrs. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax Rivers sisters Rivers sisters

Red Room The room at Gateshead where Uncle Reed died, and where Jane was locked up to be punished The room at Gateshead where Uncle Reed died, and where Jane was locked up to be punished This punishment haunted Jane for the rest of her life This punishment haunted Jane for the rest of her life Memories of the night in the Red Room occur when Jane is at a crossroads in her life Memories of the night in the Red Room occur when Jane is at a crossroads in her life