Jane Eyre pg 188-325

First Impressions/Physical Appearances:
pg 190 "I knew my traveler...though neither tall nor graceful."
What does this show about Mr. Rochester's Character?

• "decisive nose, more remarkable for character than beauty"
• "very grim and no mistake"

pg 249 " But the three most distinguished...likely to suit Mr. Rochester's estate"

• Using physical appearance as a marker of class

• What do the physical descriptions tell us about the characters? Are the more or less effective than the descriptions given by Austin in Pride and Prejudice?

Jane's Character
pg 190 "A reception of finished politeness...gave me the advantage"

• more comfortable with cruelty than civility
• doesn't want to hold her tongue, enjoys disliking or defying others

Pg 195-197 Jane's Drawings

• What do the content of these pictures tell us about Jane's character

pg 232 "Had Grace been young and handsome, I should have been tempted to think that tenderer feelings than prudence or fear influenced Mr. Rochester on her behalf..."
pg 233 "I hastened to drive from my mind...brighter hopes and keener enjoyments"

• Hypocritical of Jane?
• Parallel to beginning of novel (pg 84) "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness'..."
• Theme of beauty and societal value on it. Even though Jane suffers because of this she holds the same ideals
• She checks herself but does she actually regret what she said?
• Is Jane's comparison of herself to Grace accurate/unbiased? Do you agree with it?

Beauty
pg 252 "Most true is that...them in his"

Rochester and Jane Parallel Darcy and Elizabeth
pg 202 "You examine me, Miss Eyre....does my forehead not please you?"
pg 237 " That a greater fool than Jane Eyre....there is no extrication"
pg 259 "And getting a good deal paler...and abruptly left me"
pg 264 "I have told you reader...was a mark beneath jealousy"
pg 300-301 musings on marriage

• Idea that Mr. Rochester is too good for Jane (higher societal and financial power)
• Threat of him being destined for/perused by Blanche
• Acts of unexpected kindness/tenderness
• Disliked or mistreated y his companions of his own social class
• Abruptness and bluntness
• Attempted logic when dealing with their feelings
• Difficult past complicates view on marriage--although Mr. Rochester looks for redemption in marriage whereas Mr. Darcy has to redeem himself before he can be accepted for marriage.

Return to the Reeds
pg 311 "Two young ladies appeared before me...one trait of their mother."

• New physical impressions of the daughters. What do these descriptions do for us? How do they show a growth or lack there of in the characters?
• "In each of the sisters there was one trait of their mother's" What are they?

pg 313- "Well did I remember...promptings of rage and aversion"
pg 314 "I vowed that I would never call her aunt again: I thought it no sin to forget and break that vow, now"

• Important moment for Jane--Character growth!
• Demonstrates virtue of forgiveness ("No sin")

pg 315 "I have had more trouble...his own at that age"

• Backstory of Jane and her parents, explanation for Mrs. Reed's treatment of her.
• Is this a satisfying answer for Jane? For you as the reader?

pg 322-323 Letter from John Eyre and reaction

• Important moment for Mrs. Reed--character growth or making peace on earth so she can be admitted into heaven?
• consider Jane's earlier sentiments towards her distant relations (pg 82 "I asked Aunt Reed once...liberty at the price of caste" Has Jane changed since then? Does she still value financial stability over human kindness? 

• What claims are Bronte making about human nature and justice in this section? Consider the alterations or lack there of in the character and the fate that befalls them.

Other Thoughts

• Mr. Rochester's gypsy act (pg 276-286)

• We continue to get quick mentions of Grace throughout these chapters. What questions/predictions do you have about her character? Consider the moment where Jane considers her a murderess  (291).

• How do the two cosmic influences (religion and physical signs) move the story along? Consider Jane's speech on redemption (301), her dreams of the child (303).

• What is the effect of breaking the fourth wall and addressing the reader directly? Personally I find it jarring and out of place in the novel. it breaks from the flow of the narrative and reminds me that we are reading a story, thus discrediting and distancing me from the scene at hand (similar to the effect of the earlier shifts from first person present to first person retrospective narrative style). I don't find it necessary because we already know Jane's thoughts without her telling them to us specifically. Do you agree? Disagree? Do they provide any kind of unique effect?