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Jane's Physical Journeys

Decent Essays

Jane’s physical journeys contribute significantly to her emotional/personal journey in self discovery. The journeys evolve as time goes on, as does she; they help her grow and mature as a person. Each physical journey causes her to feel differently and changes the way she views the world. These physical journeys help Jane on her four metaphorical journeys, as each one allows her to reflect and mature.
The beginning of Jane’s journey is at Gateshead – the introductory point from where she makes a journey from that home where she had no control over her life, and questions the society she was born into, to Lowood, a point from which she became more mature and helped her gain control of her life. When the novel begins, Jane is very young and trapped …show more content…

One way she does this by showing the positive effect religion has on Jane at Lowood. Helen manages to comfort Jane when she is unfairly punished by Brocklehurst. The light that twinkles in her eyes when she passes Jane causes an "extraordinary sensation" to rush through Jane, as if such an idol had passed a "slave or victim, and imparted strength in the transit." Again, Bronte utilises the juxtaposition of heroism and slavery, but the difference here is that whereas she had been a “rebel slave" at Gateshead, Helen's heroism supports Jane so that she can renounce her oppression. By way of Helen, Jane realises that heroism is attained through valour and cleverness, not revenge. Correspondingly, she improves her behaviour by adjusting her approach. Thus, Bronte displays Helen as a Christ-like figure who, while accepting punishment as due diligence for her sins, also inspires Jane to strengthen her spirit against the evils of the world through her mere presence, reminiscent of Christ Himself. Helen has arguably the most significant influence on Jane and her journey at Lowood, as she teaches her to be more accepting and see other ways in which she

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