Chapter 23 of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

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Chapter 23 of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre begins by telling us about Jane's strict and unhappy

upbringing with her upper class Aunt, Mrs. Reed. She is then sent to

Lowood School where her only friend Helen falls ill and dies. When

Jane is older she becomes a Governess working for Mr. Rochester at

Thornfield Hall. Jane and Rochester fall in love but neither of them

express their feelings to each other. Jane becomes jealous when

Rochester goes to see Blanch Ingram, a beautiful, young woman who also

loves Rochester. When he returns, Jane leaves to see her dying Aunt

and they are parted again. Now, in chapter 23, Rochester is supposedly

telling Jane she can no longer be at Thornfield.

Jane Eyre was written by Bronte in 1847, this was an era when the

Gothic novel was very popular. The book has many features which are

found in Gothic novels such as romance. Romance plays a very important

role as Mr. Rochester and Jane are both uncertain if their powerful

love is being returned. Another common feature of the Gothic novel is

lovers being parted; in the story of Jane Eyre Jane and Rochester are

parted when Rochester leaves to visit Blanche Ingram and also when

Jane goes to see her dying Aunt Reed. There is also tension between

the true love and society. Mrs. Fairfax appears to disapprove of

Jane's and Rochester's marriage because of their difference in social

class.

Bronte uses symbolism through the use of colour to portray emotions

and describe the setting. 'Burning with the light of a red jewel',

this reflects the passion Jane and Rochester are constantly feeling.

This is very effective because people have already associated

different colours with different thoughts and meanings. Another

example of this is, 'spread a solemn purple', this is used to describe

the sunset but it also conveys a rich velvet love.

Another technique used is similes; Bronte uses many similes to help us

create a vivid image in our minds. At one point Rochester says, 'it is

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