Symbols And Motifs In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

A summary alone is a very amateur way of transmitting the plot or theme of a story accurately. In a classic novel like Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, simply writing a synopsis does not tell the reader what is really going on in the book, or the message it is trying to convey. Rather, symbols and motifs move the tale along, and give it depth, the way a simple rehash cannot. Symbols like fire, the chestnut tree, and Jane’s drawings explain the underlying plot points and themes in a unique way.

Fire is not only the cause of two major events in Jane Eyre, but it is also a physical representation, of anger and passion. The first fire is in Rochester’s bedroom, which we later found out was started by Bertha Mason. Spectral noises cause Jane

Rochester lay stretched motionless, in deep sleep. ‘Wake! Wake!’ I cried--I shook him, but he only murmured and turned: the smoke had stupefied him. Not a moment could be lost: the very sheets were kindling.” (148) The inferno symbolizes Jane and Rochester’s growing passion, although they are not yet fully aware of its existence. The smoke in the room represents the numerous obstacles and distractions that prevent them from openly showing their feelings to one another. But then comes clarity, when Jane and Rochester begin to realize those feelings. The second fire, also started by Bertha Mason, occurred after Jane left Thornfield, and ended up burning down the whole estate. Jane hears about this incident from the host of a Millcote inn who does not know who Jane is. “‘Thornfield Hall is quite a ruin: it was burnt down just about harvest time...the fire broke out at the dead of night...the building was one mass of flame.’”(426) He tells her other details about the fire, including the identity of the arsonist, Bertha, and that “‘...on this

Jane’s drawings caused her to see deeper into other people, but more importantly, she looked deeper within herself, causing her to grow as a person. There are two occasions where the happens. When Blanche Ingram visits, Jane draws two portraits. “‘...draw in chalk your own picture...write under it, ‘Portrait of a Governess, disconnected, poor, and plain.’ Afterwards...delineate carefully the loveliest face you can imagine...call it ‘Blanche, an accomplished lady of rank.’’” (161) By doing this, she further defines the line between women like her and women like Blanche Ingram. What was particularly strange about this, however, was the fact that even though Jane had never seen Blanche in the flesh, her portrait was an exact likeness of Miss Ingram. Later on, whilst at Gateshead taking care of the ill Mrs. Reed, she subconsciously draws another portrait--of Rochester, without him being present. Her ability to capture the likenesses of herself and others around her through a drawing, symbolizes her underlying craftiness. Even when the subjects of her portraits aren't physically there, her vivid imagination allows her to picture them as if they were. She does not just look at the faces she draws, she looks through them. All the while, she fails to recognize her own transparency. These portraits represent her lack of confidence in