What Does The Chestnut Tree Symbolize In Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre, a novel by Charlotte Bronte, uses symbolism throughout to engage the reader with graphic descriptions that help illustrate the deeper meaning of the story.

“The great horse-chestnut tree at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by lightning in the night, and half of it split away.” On the night that Mr. Rochester proposes to Jane, lightning strikes a chestnut tree and splits it in half. The chestnut tree symbolizes their relationship. Later, the author describes the tree better saying, “The cloven halves were not broken from each other, for the firm base and strong roots kept them unsundered below; though community of vitality was destroyed—the sap could flow no more.” It splits into two burnt halves but the strong roots keep it alive and together. This foreshadows a stage in Jane and Rochester’s relationship. Something will tear them apart and burn them, but the strong roots of their relationship creates hope for a future together. The author mentions the chestnut tree many times because the main part of the novel consists of their relationship.

The novel begins on cold, rainy day. “The cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating.” The stormy, winter day symbolizes that the novel starts in a bad part of Jane’s life. Gateshead is a sombre and lonely place for Jane. There, her aunt excludes her and her cousin John torments her. The weather also foreshadows future events. When Rochester and Jane first enter a romantic relationship, the weather goes from good to bad symbolizing future bad events caused by them getting