Jane Eyre: Imagery :: essays research papers

Jane Eyre ImageryJane Eyre tells the story of a woman progressing on the path towardsacceptance. Throughout her journey, Jane comes across umteen obstacles. Maledominance proves to be the biggest obstacle at each stop of Janes journeyGateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, Thornfield Manor, Moor House, and FerndeanManor. Through the progression of the story, Jane slowly learns how tounderstand and entertain her repression. I will be analyzing Janes stops atThornfield Manor and Moor House for this is where she met the two most importantmen in her life. The easiest way to compare and origin Rochester and St. JohnRivers is by examining when and under what circumstances these two gentlemencome into contact with Jane.It is at Thornfield Manor that Jane first encounters Mr. Rochester. Whileliving at Thornfield, Rochester demands undivided direction from the servants,Jane included. He needs to be in control of every aspect of his life, and heneeds to feel superior to all of those around hi m. Jane de cides to accept hiscontrol and she concedes to him by calling him sir, even after they begin tohave an intimate relationship. At one point, she even goes so far as to excuseherself for thinking. She says, "I was thinking, sir (you will excuse the ideait was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers"(p.289). This statement possibly begins to suggests Janes unsatisfaction withRochesters position of complete dominance in their relationship. To Jane,Rochester embodies the idea of love which she has so long been denied of. As Istated earlier, the whole movie is about Janes journey towards acceptance, byherself and by others. It is this journey which persuades her to move on whenshe finds Rochesters physical and secular love unacceptable.Janes next stop on her journey is Moor House. Here, she meets St. JohnRivers, her cousin. Unlike Rochester, St. John is portrayed as the ultimatesacrificer, willing to do anything for others, no matter how undesirable thetask might be. St. John also expects this sacrifice from Jane, and she mustdecide whether to accept his proposal. At this point in her journey, Janeunderstands that her search for herself push aside not be accomplished without reallove. She denies St. Johns marriage proposal by saying, "I have a womansheart, but not where you are concerned for you I only have a comradesconstancy a fellow soldiers frankness, fidelity, fraternity. . .nothingmore." (p.433). She knows real love can not be given to her by St. John and she