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Discuss "Jane Eyre" on the Forums!
Jane
Eyre
" A haunting
tale of young love and deadly secrets"
Jane
Eyre
Study
Guide
Chapter Questions
These questions may form
the basis for class discussion, homework, or quizzes. However, you should
familiarize yourself with these questions even if they are not assigned--they
may help you sort out difficulties with the text. You should try to answer the
questions in a figurative sense, not just in a literal sense. In other words,
look for the deeper meaning behind each question by asking yourself if there is
any symbolism involved.
 Preface
- Analyze the quote
"Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not
religion." (vii) In light of what critics of the time had to say about Jane
Eyre, what is the thrust of Brontė's response?
Chapter
1
- What purpose do the
descriptive passages from Berwick's History of British Birds serve at
this stage of the text?
- What are your impressions of
John Reed? What do you make of the abuse that Jane suffers? Is it realistic?
Chapter
2
- On page 10, note Jane's
thoughts of suicide.
- Jane Eyre was a watershed
novel at the time it was written because it blended two styles of novels:
the romantic novel and the gothic novel. According to
Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language,
romanticism emphasized content rather than form; encouraged "freedom of
treatment," "introspection," and celebrated "nature, the
common man, and freedom of the spirit." The same source defines the
gothic novel as a type of fiction "characterized by picturesque
settings; an atmosphere of mystery, gloom, and terror; supernatural or
fantastic occurrences; and violent and macabre events." Where do you
see both elements in the novel so far?
- Jane's fears of the ghost
are consistent with her vivid imagination; yet the ghost never appears, and
Jane is returned to cruel reality.
Chapter
3
- Most readers of today are
familiar with the signs of child abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. While
these terms were arguably unknown to Brontė in the mid 19th century, how
does her treatment of Jane reflect what we know about them?
Chapter
4
- On page 26, what is
unexpected in Jane1s answer to how she plans to avoid going to Hell?
- How does the anecdote of the
"little psalm angel" (26) heighten our contempt for Brocklehurst?
- Why does Bessie begin to
treat Jane with kindness at this point in the text? What lesson does Jane
learn on how to deal with people she fears? How is this unusual when
compared with the depiction of the other children of this time period, such
as the "little psalm angel" and the "girls of the
school" (278)?
Chapter
5
- On page 40, notice
"Jane's" first direct address of the "reader."
- How does Miss Temple fit in
with your expectations of her from Brocklehurst's interview with Jane? In
fact, how does her character compare to most of the other adult characters
encountered in the text so far?
Chapter
6
- In this chapter, Jane
receives another lesson in strength, this time from Helen Burns. What do you
think of Burns' diction and speech? What do you think of her philosophy?
Chapter
7
- What do you think of Mr.
Brocklehurst's philosophy of education in this chapter?
- Discuss Brontė's feelings
on the "nature of man" (60). Is she being serious or
tongue-in-cheek?
Chapter
8
- Compare Jane Eyre to other
mistreated heroines from children's stories (Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow
White). Knowing that Jane Eyre is the novel that broke many rules about how
a mistreated heroine should act, compare and contrast them to Jane.
Chapter
9
- Pay attention to the lush
descriptions of Miss Temple in chapter 8 and spring at Lowood in chapter 9.
How would descriptions like these affect readers in the mid 19th century?
How do they affect readers of today?
- Notice the parallels between
life at Lowood in the spring and Jane's new lifestyle. How is this
"pathetic fallacy" a form of foreshadowing?
Chapter
10
- Read the first paragraph of
chapter 10. If Brontė means that she has only related events that are
important, what are those important events and how are they important to
Jane's development as a character?
- What do you think of Jane's
prayers for a "new servitude"?
- What can you make of
Bessie's character in her differing reactions to Jane's looks and her
abilities? What is the effect that Brontė is trying to convey to the
reader?
- Pay attention to the
appearance of a mysterious Mr. Eyre.
Chapter
11
- What do you make of the
first two paragraphs in chapter 11? Analyze this passage with regard to
literary theory and the nature of the narrator.
- What affect does Mrs.
Fairfax's description of Rochester have on the reader? How does Brontė
achieve this affect?
Chapter
12
- Read the passages on pages
100101. What do you make of them? What is the link between the paragraphs?
What opinions does Brontė show here, and how does she direct them through
these paragraphs?
Chapter
13
- How has Thornfield changed
with the arrival of Mr. Rochester? What is the significance of this?
- On page 110, as well as
other places in the text, Brontė makes liberal use of French in her
dialogue. What does this say about her audience? How do you compare to that
audience?
- Rochester studies Jane's
paintings on pages 115117. What do you make of the paintings? What does
this incident add to the story?
- Comment on the character and
appearance of Rochester. How does he measure up to other romantic heroes?
Chapter
14
- When Rochester says he is
"paving hell with energy" and that he is "laying down good
intentions," he is alluding to an old saying: "The road to Hell is
paved with good intentions." This quote has been attributed to Karl
Marx, but I think it has been around longer than that. However, this might
make an interesting jumping-off point for someone to analyze Jane Eyre
from a Marxist perspective.
- This chapter gives more
insight on the nature of Rochester through his battle of wits with Jane.
What is revealed about Rochester here? What is the outcome of their
conversation?
Chapter
15
- Why does Jane become more
affectionate and tolerant of Adčle, both literally and figuratively?
- We see that something odd is
going on at Thornfield with Rochester's demand that he "like it if he
can"(133), the strange laughter, and the attempt on his life.
- Note at the end of the
chapter the change in the relationship between Jane and Rochester.
Chapter
16
- The discussion of Miss
Blanche Ingram between Jane and Mrs. Fairfax should recall Rochester's
opinions of love and jealousy in his romance with Adčle1s mother, Céline
Varens.
- What do you make of Jane
creating a harsh piece of artwork for herself and a lovely piece of artwork
depicting Miss Ingram?
Chapter
17
- Beginning with the serving
of coffee on page 162, Brontė shifts her narrative into the present tense.
Why does she do this, and what is the effect on the reader?
- How does Brontė transmit
the characters of the Ingram ladies successfully to the reader?
Jane Eyre Study Guide Ch18-38
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