Plot
What is the purpose of the first 10 chapters of the novel? Why is it important that we, the reader, understand the beginnings of her life?
This is the exposition of the plot, which introduces us to the characters, conflict, and time period. It shows us Jane's life and personality.
Who serves as a Foil to Jane?
Helen Burns
What was Charlotte Brontë's chosen pen name she wrote "Jane Eyre" under?
Currer Bell
What does the splitting of the horse-chestnut tree represent?
It acts as foreshadowing and symbolizes the breakup of Jane's marriage to Mr. Rochester.
Speaker of the following quote: "Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt! May your eyes never shed such stormy, scalding, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine. May you never appeal to Heaven in prayers so hopeless and so agonised as in that hour left my lips; for never may you, like me, dread to be the instrument of evil to what you wholly love."
Jane Eyre
Name 3 rising actions in Jane Eyre's plot line.
Possible Answer:
1) Leaving Lowood to teach Adele
2) Meeting Mr. Rochester and getting to know him
3) Meeting Blanche, returning to Gateshead
4) Mr. Rochester's declaration and proposal
How old is Mr. Rochester?
Close to forty
How did Charlotte Brontë express her imagination?
Through writing
What type of figurative language is the following: "Leaning over the battlements and looking far down, I surveyed the grounds laid out like a map: the bright and velvet lawn closely girdling the grey base of the mansion; the field, wide as a park, dotted with its ancient timber; the wood, dun and sere, divided by a path visibly overgrown, greener with moss than the trees were with foliage; the church at the gates, the road, the tranquil hills, all reposing in the autumn day’s sun; the horizon bounded by a propitious sky, azure, marbled with pearly white."
Imagery
Speaker of the following quote: "You never felt jealousy, did you, Miss Eyre? Of course not: I need not ask you; because you never felt love. You have both sentiments yet to experience: your soul sleeps; the shock is yet to be given which shall waken it."
Edward Rochester
What is the climax of Jane Eyre?
(hint: the climax is often referred to as the turning point...)
Meeting Bertha Antoinetta Mason Rochester
What ethnicity is Bertha Mason?
Creole
What was the reception of Jane Eyre at the time of its publication?
Considered a radical book that "deposed authority, violated human code, and fostered rebellion and Chartism"
What type of figurative language is the following: "Yes, you are dripping like a mermaid; pull my cloak round you..."
Simile
Speaker of the following quote: "It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil.”
Helen Burns
The scenes with St. John and the Rivers family are part of the falling actions in the novel and the last part of Jane's journey to realize her Personal Legend.
With this in mind, how does St. John parallel Mr. Rochester in Jane's journey?
Both men are very passionate, but use it differently. Mr. Rochester is expresses his passion freely and without reserve; St. John uses his passionate energy to keep himself reserved, cold, and overcome weakness.
They also serve as foils to each other.
What does St. John represent in Jane's journey?
When was Jane Eyre first published?
1847
What type of figurative language is the following: "Tongues of flame darted round the bed: the curtains were on fire..."
Personification
Speaker of the following quote: "“Mr. Brocklehurst, I believe I intimated in the letter which I wrote to you three weeks ago, that this little girl has not quite the character and disposition I could wish: should you admit her into Lowood school, I should be glad if the superintendent and teachers were requested to keep a strict eye on her, and, above all, to guard against her worst fault, a tendency to deceit."
Mrs. Reed
Describe how the Resolution reflects (capital R) Romantic justice.
(Hint: what had to happen for Jane's story to reach this final destination)
Jane had to be truly independent, both in society's eyes and in her own. She is an heiress, so she does not depend on Rochester's money.
Rochester is free of Bertha and has truly paid for his crimes.
They are on equal footing and need each other.
Consider Jane's character development. What does she have to achieve to find her Personal Legend?
True Independence.
Free in mind, free in conscience, free of social constraints. (i.e. not dependent on men, employers, or relatives)
What was Charlotte Brontë's typical female character like?
Simple women who relied upon the respect of themselves, rather than society, to provide fulfillment in their lives
What does the following allusion mean: "We feasted that evening as nectar and ambrosia."
The author uses satire to point out the decadence of the aristocracy.
Speaker of the following quote: “Very well; I hope you feel the content you express: at any rate, your good sense will tell you that it is too soon yet to yield to the vacillating fears of Lot’s wife. What you had left before I saw you, of course I do not know; but I counsel you to resist firmly every temptation which would incline you to look back: pursue your present career steadily, for some months at least.”
St. John