Gothic Jane Eyre

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The novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Bronte was written during a time period where women were discouraged to think for themselves and act freely. Jane Eyre disregards these societal expectations, thus creating a story influenced by gothic elements. The novel’s setting is gothic in the way it is described by the author and in the feelings it creates for the reader. Gothicism is also applied in the situations the characters go through and their experiences. Jane Eyre is a novel with gothic characteristics that can be found from the beginning of the novel all the way up to the end.
To begin, the main character, Jane Eyre, grows up in a grotesque environment full of hatred. She is raised as an orphan who is constantly seen as a burden. To …show more content…

The man she loves is named Edward Fairfax Rochester and he is her employer at Thornfield. Rochester’s character is mysterious and moody. His character is as dark as the castle he owns. For example, setting is affected by gothicism while Jane resides in Thornfield. The castle is old and full of “secrets”. It has paths that unknown of and hidden staircases. It is described to look as if it was abandoned one day and occupied the next. The idea of the setting containing so many secrets and dark, ruined sections; creates a sense of unease and foreboding, contributing toward the atmospheric element of fear and dread (Harris). The darkness within the castle also allows those sudden and frightening appearance of people, animals, or monsters (Harris). This can be seen when Jane Eyre begins to hear the strange, maniacal laughter coming from the third floor of the castle. Jane questions Mrs. Fairfax about the laughter, who reassures her that it is just Grace Poole, a bizarre servant with an alcohol problem. Overcome with constant high emotion and doubt, Jane does not believe this lie.
Eventually, Jane discovers an inexplicable fire in Rochester's room that spreads from the curtains all the way onto Rochester. She saves the love of her life by throwing water on him and wonders why Rochester is not so bothered by the event. This event is followed by feelings of unrequited

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