Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 15

Summary

Mr Rochester explain about Adele and Celine. The fire (in Mr Rochester's room) Jane suspects Grace Poole.
Interesting extracts

'I had a keen delight in recieveing the new ideas he offered.' Perhaps the first sign of Jane's friendship with Mr Rochester, he is less of her superior, although she still regards him as it.

'So happy, so gratified did I become with this new interest added to life that I ceased to pine after kindred.' Perhaps the fisrt sign of Jane's love forming for Mr R.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 14

Summary

At first Mr Rochester is very busy, then he has another conversation with Jane.

Themes

Speaking one's mind, opinions about people, ways of speaking etc.

Character

Mr R. comment on Jane's bluntness, then when she corrects this and thinks more about her answers to his questions he tells her not to be evasive.


Jane is determined not to be scared of her superior, ' "your language is enigmatical, sir but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid" '

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 13

Summary

Jaane, Adele and Mrs Fairfax go to Mr Rochester. Jane has her first conversation with Mr Rochester.

Themes

Poverty- comparison of Adele and Jane as a child, Adele expects presents, Jane has never really experienced them.

Character

Mr Rochester- Judges Jane's artwork. Says to Mrs Fairfax 'I shall judge for myself' in reference to Jane, does not rely on other's opinions.

Jane is suprised at Mrs Fairfax's previous description of Mr Rochester, fells that it was totally off. Jane learns some of his background.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 12

Summary

Jane helps Mr Rochester when he falls off his horse.

Character

Mr Rochester is introduced to the novel, although neither the reader or Jane are aware of it at first, it is only at the end of the chapter that we discover this.

Interesting extracts

'It was an incident of no moment, no romance, no interest in a sense; yet it marked with change one single hour of monotonous life.'

Narrative voice.

As a reader we don't realise that , Mr Rochester is Mr Rochester, if it was written in third person then we might, and I think that it would be more interesting, it would create dramatice irony. However if the book was written in third person the reader

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 11

Summary

Jane travels to Thornfiled. Jane arrives at Thornfield and meets Mrs Fairfax and Adele, she hears 'Grace Poole' laugh.

Themes

Freedom, she is free of the constraints of her childhood, she is no longer under someone else reign.

Religion, she thanks God for the changesbrought about by the move, reader notices that it's when she feels that she has been blessed that sher is closer to Gofd

Character

She at first confuses Mrs Fairfax for the owner of Thornfield. She is extremely relieved to find out that Mrs Fairfax isnice and not cold and severe as she expected, this reflects on Jane's experience of figures of authorit so far, none of whom she has respected, she's just been terrified, with the exception of Miss Temple, but who at the same time it was clear that she was not the head of authority, (Mr Brockelhurst was)

Narrative voice

A much more positive Jane.

Interesting extracts

'The charm of the adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it: but the throb of fear disturbs it.' even though she is excited, and proud that she has had the courage to move on their is still a tiny glow worm of fear encapsulted into her happiness.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 10

Summary

Chapter spans the next eight years. The school is much improved due to the investigation afyter the Typhus outbreak. Jane becomes a teacher, Miss temple leaves. Jane feels that she should move on. Bessie visits Jane. Jane heads off for Thornfield.

Themes

Entrapement. Despite feeling much better at Lowood than Gateshead Jane still feels trapped.

Character

Jane hears of the Reeds from Bessie, they're not doing well, they are immoral.
Jane is much calmer and more mature, she has learnt a lot and it shows.

Response?

Intriugment as to what will happen to Jane next, the first part of the book is over.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 9

Summary

Spring is coming. Typhus takes hold of the school and so rules are relaxed (many die) . Helen is sick, then dies, with Jane next to her.

Themes

Religion (Helen)
Freedom

Character

Jane- seems much less down hearted, has been freed from her past. Too young to truly grasp the notiion of death.
Response?

Life is looking up for Jane, even though Helen is dead.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 8

Summary


Jane is dismayed about the allegations made against her by Mr Brockelhurst. Helen soothes her and tells her that instead of thinking of human love to think of God's. Miss Temple invites them to tea. Mr Lloyd sets her free of the misjudgement of others, Jane begins to feel at home.


Themes


Religion, Kindness, rich vs poor.


Character


Mrs Temple , shows mercy and kindness, then helps to discredit the lies.

Helen calms and soothes, and is very loyal.

Interesting extracts

' " Everybody, Jane? Why, there are only 80 people who have heard you called so, and the world contains hundreds of millions" ' childish, thinks that her woes are HUGE.

' I would not have exchanged Lowood, with all its privations for Gateshead and all its daily luxuries.' Contrastable with the earlier chapter where she thought that it wasn’t possible to be poor and happy. (Mr Lloyd conversation)

Response?

Jane has progressed slightly, she doesn't think that being rich is one of the keys to being happy. She has learnt this through her experiences, she is much happier at Lowood.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 7

Summary

Mr Brockelhurst comes into the school with his wife and daughters. He talks to Miss Temple about how he would like the school to run, and all the things that she is doing wrong. He then humiliates Jane by calling her a liar in front of the whole school.

Themes/Motifs

Jane as a scapegoat- At the begining of the chapter Jane is the scapegoat because she is one of the younger ones, picked on by the older ones and forced to share her food. She is later on made a scapgoat because she is an easy target and he has lies to tell about.


Injustice- Reader knows that Jane does not deserve to be treated like this.
Poverty/Wealth- The difference between Mr Brockelhurt's daughters and the girls at the school.
Religious hipocrisy- Bronte highlights this perhaps because there were parallels with society at the time she was writing. Christianity, Mr Brockelhusrt make references to religion to try and turn the school against Jane, 'Evil one'. He places himself above others bvecause, 'I have a master whose kingdom is not of this world' he justifies his cruelty and entrapment with his religion which angers the readers because they know that this is wrong, and hipocritical because it is not the way he treats his family, nor the way that he treats himself, he is nasty.

Characters

Mr Brockelhurst, malicious and vindictive, using his power for evil. Miss Temple, defender of the girls against Mr Brockelhurst, saviour, yet has little power.

Places

Lowood school, describes life at school and hardships that they must endure, illnourishment etc, ties in with injustice.

Interesting extracts

Describing everyday life, struggle, 'The fear of failure in these points harassed me worse than the physical hardships of my lot, though these were no trifles.' Jane is much less concerned with the daily struggles but much more so with overcoming all of these so as not to let her past ruin her entire life, she is determined to get through all of this and use her future.

Response?

Readers again feel sorry for Jane, they are outraged by the injustices caused by Mr Brockelhurst.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 6

Summary

Jane observes Helen in her lessons and dislikes Mrs Scratcherd's methods, Jane then discusses this with Helen.

Themes

Christianity, contrast with Mr Brockelhurst in next chapter.

Injustice, Jane doesn't think Helen is fairly treated.

Character

Mrs Scatcherd seems horrible.

Helen appears much older than Jane, she seems to view the world with a much larger perspective, Jane's world seems much more self-focused

Interesting extracts

'I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening' Jane has not long known Helen yet she confides everything in her, this may be a reflection of the fact that Jane has never felt safe enough to trust anyone, or that Jane is very naive, and gives away all of herself to anyone that shows her any kindness. I t could also reflect the fact that Helen is a good person, and Jane has not been shown this kindness yet.

Response?

Jane is young enough not to be able to imagine that there is a larger world, and it does not revolve around herself.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 5

Summary

Jane arrives at Lowood school, she spends her first day there. She has her first conversation with Helen Burns.

Themes

Religion, routine, poverty, physical hardships.

Characters

Helen Burns is introduced to the reader. She talks to Jane and reads, she comments on the teachers but does not say that she dislikes the way that any of them work, the reader gets the impression that she is evading the language that Jane might use to describe the teachers, she is more guarded.

Places

Lowood school, church like aspect, rather harsh surroundings, cold and bare.

Interesting extracts

' "He is a clergyman and is said to do a great deal of good." ' Helen Burns tries to assume the best of everybody.

Response?

To the reader life for Jane doesn't seem to have improved but not once does she say that she regrets leaving Gateshead, it shows how much she disliked the emotional trauma.

Jane Eyre reading journal chapter 4

Summary

• Jane is excluded from the Reed family, she is kept out of the way. She is then told that she is to attend school, after which she has an 'honest' conversation with Mrs Reed.

Characters

Jane is compared to Georgiana and Eliza, they are both contemptuously described. Mr Brockelhurst comes to Gateshead, he quizzes Mrs Reed on Jane and Jane on being a good Christian child. He seems pompous, harsh, judgemental and hypocritical. Mrs Reed tells him that Jane is a horrible decietful child. Jane in dispair for not only is Mrs Reed ruining her present, but also her future, knowing that this 'false' past will follow her to school.

Motifs

Injustice, poverty, wealth.

Interesting extracts

'Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.' Jane's life is looking slightly better.

Jane Eyre Reading journal chapter 3

Summary

• Jane recovers from being ill, she is nursed by Bessie who is kinder to her after her fit. Jane is visited by the apothecary who asks her why she is miserable, he suggests to her that she attends school. She learns more about her background.

Characters

Mr Llyod is the first person in the novel which the reader sees connect with Jane, we see how she responds to kindness. Bessie is overheard telling Miss Abbot that Jane is 'to be pitied' too. Jane learns from this conversation that there is some truth in her theory that if she were prettier then she would be more liked, certainly by the servants at least.

Extracts

' "No; I should not like to be among poor people," was my reply. ' Jane feels that even if people are nice it is better to be with well off but horrible people than nice but poor people. She has never encountered true poverty, she does not know what it is like but she still says no, her upbringing has maybe rubbed off on her slightly.

Jane Eyre Reading Journal chapter 2

Summary

• Jane Eyre is locked in the red room. Miss Abbot and Bessie try to calm her. She screams and Mrs Reed 'thrusts' her back into the room, she has a fit.

Characters

Jane reflects on the sense of unfairness that she feels because of the way she is treated at Gateshead, she feels that she is being made a scapegoat because she is not a Reed child and she is not pretty like Georgina.

Motifs

Red, the Red room, 'deep red damask' 'carpet was red' 'crimson cloth'

Places

The red room, haunted perhaps, the place where Mr Reed died.

Narrative voice

Changes in the chapter, becomes an older Jane Eyre reflecting rather than telling the reader what she felt at the time, reflects back on why the Reeds acted the way that they did,

'I was in discord at Gateshead; I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage'

Jane Eyre reading journal chapter one

Chapter one.

Summary of main events

• The main character, Jane Eyre is introduced to us as are the Reed family, Mrs Reed and her three children. Bessie, the maid, is also mentioned.
• John Reedstrikes Jane.

Themes.

• The writer begins to make the reader have sympathy for Jane.
• Jane is a troubled and lonely child.

Characters.

Mrs Reed and her children are portrayed as being harsh and unfair towards Jane. John Reed is seen as a bully.

Motifs

'Red moreen curtain' 'scarlet drapery' Red= Danger/warning, warning of Red Room=punishment/injustice/anger

Places.

The setting for this chapter is Gateshead, the Reed family home and it's surroundings. It is winter, and bleak.

Narative voice.

Jane narrates in the first person, giving the reader a direct insight into how she thinks and feels, this gives a one sided story to the reader, we only know what Jane tells us, it allows the reader to be more invested in Jane, and to feel more empathetic towards her.

Interesting phrases or extracts.

'The broken bot stranded on the desolate coast' perhaps a reflection of Jane's suituation, she has no one that she feels that she can turn to.

Response?

Reader's feel sympathetic towards her and her circumstance, they can be empathetic on one level because of the heightened feelings of injustice the readers might have felt as children.