Characterization in Jane Eyre: Brontë’s Use of Foils Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, is set in 19th century England, and tells the story of a young woman named Jane Eyre who undergoes many hardships as she matures and ultimately grows into a more complex person. The people Jane encounters throughout the novel both shape her opinions and the person she becomes, and serve as foils, or characters who set off other characters by strong contrast. Many of Jane Eyre’s supporting characters possess unflattering or unfavorable qualities. The way they treat Jane, the manner in which they interact with other people, and their worldviews, either positive or negative, equally impact Jane, and serve as a contrast for Jane’s own traits. Brontë’s use of foils in Jane Eyre as a method of characterization enables the reader to better understand Jane as a character, and emphasize certain …show more content…
Though not the first character foil to appear in the novel, Helen Burns, one of Jane’s first friends, whom she meets at Lowood Institution, is one of the most important. Jane first encounters Helen shortly after arriving at Lowood, and Helen’s mild nature serves as a stark contrast to Jane’s boldness. When Jane tells Helen that “When we are struck at without reason, we should strike back again very hard,” in reference to the way many of their instructors treat Helen and how she feels Helen should fight back, Helen’s peaceful and wise nature is demonstrated by her response: “Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you” (44). Helen’s passiveness and meekness reveal Jane to be forthright, outspoken, and assertive. Helen’s submissiveness in the face of wrongful punishment upsets Jane, and shows Jane to be not only bold, but also passionate. After one of their teachers publicly humiliates Helen, Jane states
Once again, Jane is unfairly judged and it appears to her that the new life she seeks is long gone. She’s labeled as the outcast, similar to the way she’s treated at Gateshead. (Moseley 3) Jane is stricken; however, Helen Burns assuages the pain. Jane’s friendship with Helen Burns plays a crucial role in controlling her zealous manner. Helen is the archetype of a pure-hearted, caring person with genuine intentions. Her ability to withstand unfair treatment while she maintains her composure provides a role model for Jane to look up to. It’s this persona that Jane desperately needs at this point in her life, especially following the humiliation by Mr. Brocklehurst concerning her fate at Lowood. She teaches Jane the importance of self-control and
Charlotte Brontë, however, presents a different approach to the minds of the reader. The primary foil of Jane Eyre, Blanche Ingram, is the darling of her culture—beautiful and frivolously talented. What she lacks in conscience, having a foul demeanor, she makes up for in cunning brilliance. Blanche sees the prejudice set against her and is able to take advantage of them by playing by the rules. She constantly uses her high standing superficial beauty to make others look inferior, advancing herself in their place.
In the novel, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre has the option of either marrying Rochester or St. John Rivers. Rochester and St. John Rivers are foils, however they do share some characteristics. Both Rochester and St. John Rivers have many strengths and weaknesses that influence Jane Eyre’s choice of whom she shall marry.
Helen presents herself to be a strong foil to two of the characters in the novel. One of them is the headmaster of Lowood, Mr. Brocklehurst. While donning his wife and daughters in “velvet, silk, and furs” (84), the headmaster gives the girls at Lowood a lesson to “clothe themselves with shame facedness and sobriety, not with braided hair and costly apparel” (84). A hypocritical man, Mr. Brocklehurst uses religion to gain power and to control others and lacks the Christian compassion he lectures so deeply about. Mr. Brocklehurst’s enjoyment of worldly possessions and his desire to strip others of pride is comparable to the humility and tolerance of Helen Burns.
Written by Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre tells the story of its title character as she matures and experiences all that life has to offer in 19th century England. Jane Eyre grows up as an orphan and seeks work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets and falls in love with Mr. Edward Rochester. After discovering that he is already married, she is introduced to St. John Rivers; he asks her to marry him for the sole purpose of being a missionary’s wife and she instead returns to Mr. Rochester, who she truly loves, and marries him. Throughout her journey, she learns many thing about Mr. Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers. Both men display similar characteristics, but as foils they exhibit many different characteristics as well. Both
is trapped in the room with no escape route. Also, the room to Jane is
In Jane Eyre, Bronte uses many foils to show characters personalities and different traits. A major one is Blanche vs. Jane. Blanche is the epitome of a rich, beautiful girl. She had a perfect upbringing and is a model woman for this time period. On the other end of the spectrum, Jane is poor and is not said to be pretty or ugly.
In chapter 33 of Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte shows just how far Jane has come as a women since we first met her. Bronte shows this through Jane's reaction to finding out that her long lost uncle who recently passed on decided to leave her his fortune as an inheritance. However the way in which Jane learns of this revelation is equally intriguing. She's told about her newfound wealth by Saint John Rivers, who reveals this to Jane by retelling her own life story to her. It is of great significance that River's informs Jane of her fortune by way of a frame story structure. By telling her the story of a orphaned girl, and filling in the details until it becomes evident that he is speaking about none other than Jane herself, and through this revelation I believe he completes his role as the major final foil for Jane. I believe John Rivers completes his mission as Jane's final symbolic foil by by giving unto Jane what she deserved from the beginning truth and justice. John Rivers symbolically rights the wrongs of her childhood, bringing Jane from her childhood and present experience of dependence, to a position of empowerment.
Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” has captivated readers for generations. As with all coming of age novels, young adults can relate to the struggles and triumphs of Jane. Jane’s setting influences and parallel her emotions. A reader can see the novel through her eyes and perspective. In Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” the location often parallels Jane’s emotional growth through the tone presented by the environment, resulting in the different places she lives revealing her journey through depression. Jane’s behavioral patterns and thoughts suggest clinical depression that affected her choices throughout the novel and her life at Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Marsh End, and Ferdean.
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is presented in the Victorian Period of England. It is a novel which tells the story of a child's maturation into adulthood. Jane's developing personality has been shaped by her rough childhood. She has been influenced by many people and experiences. As a woman of her time, Jane has had to deal with the strain of physical appearance. This has a great effect on her mental thinking and decision making. Jane Eyre's cognitive and physical attributes have been affected by her environment throughout her life.
The book begins with a young girl. Jane, as a child, lives with her Aunt Reed and her cousins. Orphaned at a young age, Jane was sent to live with her Uncle Reed. Unfortunately he has also passed leaving her with her Aunt Reed. Now the household is very abusive toward her. Her Aunt refers to her as a liar and her cousins often ridicule her. Jane, however, doesn’t seemly suffer to much as a result of this. Throughout her experience she learns to have a strong mind, and stand up for herself. “Speak I must: I had been trodden on severely, and must turn: but how? What strength had I to dart retaliation at my antagonist? I gathered my energies and launched them in this blunt sentence” (Pg. 35).
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is a coming-of-age story about an unconventional woman's development within a society of strict rules and expectations. At pivotal moments in Jane's life, she makes choices which are influenced by her emotions and/or her reason. Through the results of those choices, Jane learns to balance passion and practicality to achieve true happiness.
The novel in which Jane Eyre stars in can be seen criticizing many aspects of those times such as the role and nature of women, child negligence and social hardships for those in a lesser class. Jane Eyre’s alienation from society allows for a greater reveal of the story’s culture, values, and assumptions. It’s presented through the use of gender, class and character conflicts throughout the story. On multiple occasions, Jane is judged for the presented factors reflecting the type of society Jane lives in and what the times were like at that time.
Charlotte Bronte's, Jane Eyre takes place during the Victorian period of England. This gothic romance novel tells the story of an abused orphan, Jane, who later matures into a strong independent woman. The societal standards Bronte portrays in the novel consist of oppression, gender inequality, and social class. Throughout the novel, Jane overcomes each of these social norms and defies what every other person in the society believes.
Jane Eyre, a novel by Charlotte Brontë, contains several notable themes and messages sent to its readers. Jane Eyre is a coming of age novel that is a story of a girl's quest for equality and happiness. A common theme that recurs throughout the novel is the importance of independence.Charlotte Brontë utilizes several techniques to convey this message, incorporating her personal experiences, as well as including symbolism and motifs. Charlotte Bronte subjects Jane to several conflicts that occur because of Jane’s desire for independence and freedom, such as love, religion, and gender inequality.