Chapters 9-10
What illness breaks out at Lowood?
Typhus
According to Bessie (Jane's nurse from Gateshead who visits her at Lowood) what relative came to Gateshead to visit Jane?
Jane's uncle, John Eyre, who is a wealthy wine merchant.
As time passes at Thornfield, Jane continues to hear strange laughter from the third floor. Why is it hard for Jane to accept that the laughter is coming from Grace Poole?
Grace's terse, quiet personality doesn't match the loud, wild laughter.
Explain Mr. Rochester's relationship with Adèle and why he became her guardian.
He was in a relationship with Adèle's mother, Céline. Rochester caught Céline having an affair, but Céline told Rochester that Adèle was his child. Rochester doubted this, but brought Adèle to England when Céline abandoned her.
Name some descriptions or events at Lowood that make the setting gothic, eerie, dark, or focused on death.
The typhus epidemic and Helen's consumption cause Jane to face death and mortality.
So does Jane waking up with Helen dead next to Helen.
The descriptions of Jane looking for Helen with the pale moonlight as her only light set a dark tone.
What illness does Helen Burns have?
consumption
Who responds to Jane's teaching advertisement in the newspaper?
Mrs. Fairfax offers Jane a job to teach a young girl at an estate called Thornfield Hall.
What does Mrs. Fairfax ask Jane to do on the day that Jane encounters a horse and rider?
Mrs. Fairfax asks Jane to post a letter.
How does Jane's opinion of Mr. Rochester change after he tells her about Adèle's background?
She likes that he confided in her and admires that he's trying to do the right thing by taking responsibility for Adèle.
What characteristics does Thornfield Hall have that make the setting gothic?
It's secluded, and Jane arrives at night, which makes it hard to see and mysterious.
When being shown the upper floors, Jane observes that the lighting is dim, and that there are many strange objects.
The strange laughter also adds to the gothic tone.
Why does Helen tell Jane she's not afraid to die?
She will go to God and not suffer anymore.
Who is the owner of Thornfield Hall?
Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester, who is often away on business.
Who does the man with the horse turn out to be?
Mr. Rochester, Adèle's guardian and the owner of Thornfield Hall.
What wakes Jane up in the middle of the night?
She hears strange, eerie laughter and goes to investigate.
What is it about the laughter that Jane hears that makes it a gothic element?
It's eerie and is described as demonic, which portrays it as supernatural.
The fact that Jane is uncomfortable with the Grace Poole explanation makes the laughter unexplained and opens the door to supernatural possibilities.
The laughter also causes heightened anxiety in Jane, similar to her experiences in the red room at Gateshead.
How many years pass with Jane at Lowood?
8
Who is Adèle Varens, and what is her background?
She's Jane's student. Her mother was a French singer and dancer, and she's Mr. Rochester's ward.
Describe Mr. Rochester's personality/behavior toward Jane and Adèle.
He's moody, blunt, and can be rude.
How does Jane save Mr. Rochester's life?
She sees smoke coming from Mr. Rochester's room and throws water on his bed curtains, which are on fire. She puts out the fire and wakes him up.
What is the gytrash, and how is it a gothic element in the story?
It's a spirit that takes the form of horses or large dogs to frighten travelers.
It's supernatural and adds mystery and a sense of impending doom.
What causes Jane to want to leave teaching at Lowood and get another job?
Her favorite teacher, Miss Temple, gets married and leaves.
What noise does Jane hear, and how does Mrs. Fairfax explain it?
Mrs. Fairfax says it's a servant named Grace Poole, whom she scolds.
How does Mrs. Fairfax explain Mr. Rochester's moodiness?
She says that Mr. Rochester inherited Thornfield from his brother and that he has a troubled past that he's still dealing with.
How does Mr. Rochester explain the laughter that Jane heard?
He says it's Grace Poole.
How are the fire and the events surrounding it gothic? (What descriptions or details make the fire a gothic element in the story?)
The laughter that Jane hears before discovering the fire is described as demonic, falling back on the possibility of it being supernatural.
The sounds of footsteps and fingers brushing against the wall also add a ghostly, supernatural quality to the events.
Jane's intense fear is a key gothic element.
The ambiguous cause of the laughter and fire point to the possibility of supernatural causes.
Mr. Rochester's evasive explanation adds to the mystery.