Historical Context
Why was a book like Jane Eyre written during this time period?
What is “To reflect the social realities of her time” (women’s limited roles, the governess role, and strict class divisions)
Give a short summary of Jane Eyre.
What is “Jane Eyre is an orphan girl who grows up facing cruelty and hardships living with her Aunt and cousins. She later goes to school and becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall where she meets Mr. Rochester. They grow close in their time together and Jane discovers a secret of Mr. Rochester’s that threatens their future. Throughout everything Jane faces, she stays true to her independence and self respect, later finding love and a sense of belonging according to her values.”
What does the Red Room symbolize in Jane’s life?
What is "it represents Jane's oppression, confinement, suppressed anger and passion"
Where did Jane grow up?
What is “Gateshead” (she resided with her aunt, and her cousins)
“Goodnight, my-” (210)
Who is “Mr. Rochester”
What does Jane Eyre show us about how women lived during the Victorian era?
What is “the struggle to become educated and independent”
Who are the main characters and how does the setting interact with them?
What is “setting like Gateshead, Lowood, and Thornfield act as physical manifestations of the character’s emotional journey."
How does Jane’s relationship with Rochester test her values?
What is “because of her independence and self-respect”
Where does Jane meet Mr. Rochester?
What is “In the woods”
“But I said she did, I wish she had died" (267)
Who is "Mrs. Reed"
How does the novel reflect the values and ideas of the time and place in which it was written?
What is “by focusing on religious prosperity and the inequality of women”
List two key themes present in Jane Eyre.
What is “Love & Belonging”
How does the author use the setting to build meaning?
What is “Each of Jane’s new settings represents a new stage of growth in her life”
Where does Jane go once her wedding is called off?
What is “Jane takes a coach to a small place called Whitcross”
"The marriage cannot go on.. I declare the existence of an impediment.” (333)
Who is “Mr. Briggs”
How might understanding the author’s background contribute to your overall interpretation of the novel?
What is “She went through some of the same things Jane went through in her personal life”
How does the novel fit in Gothic literature?
What is "it fits because it dives into the supernatural, revolves heavily around extreme uses of emotions, and the main character is a woman as it is Jane's story"
How does this element reflect or challenge Gothic conventions (e.g., terror, decay, the supernatural, isolation, transgression, psychological depth)?
What is “the design and dark architecture of Jane’s residences reflect trademark elements of Gothic literature”
What does the season of summer represent in Jane’s life?
What is “growth and confidence”
"J’ai dit qu’oui: car c’est vrai, n’est-ce pas, mademoiselle?" (I said yes: for it’s true, isn’t it, miss?) (139)
Who is "Adele"