Chapters 5-10

Chapters Summary

In chapter five Jane leaves the Reed household in order to begin her new life at the Lowood institution. This is also where Jane learns that Lowood is a part charitable institution for mostly orphans and information about the school and her teachers. Throughout chapter six Jane learns of Miss temple, through talks with Helen burns. Mr Brocklehurst accuses Jane of deceitfulness. All of the girls are forbidden to speak to her.In chapter seven Jane continues to lament on her time at Lowood throughout the winter months and the hardships which followed, it is also in this chapter that Mr Brocklehurst proves himself to be a hypocrite. In chapter eight Miss Temple invites Jane and Helen Burns to her study for supper and Jane explains her woeful tail and consequently is proved innocent. In chapter nine Jane describes the setting of Lowood after winter and learns that Helen burns is seriosly ill and likely to die. Chapter ten brings the story forward 8 years, Jane applies for a job as governess and is successful. Bessie meets her before she leaves for Thornfield.

Characters

we meet a number of new characters throughout the following five chapters. Helen Burns is introduced as a hardworking, loyal, christian girl and a great source of comfort to Jane, especially during the time that she is humiliated and upset by Mr Brocklehurst, however Helen is more reserved than jane especially in the way in which she voices her opinions of her teachers. Miss Temple, the kind natured, motherfigure to jane is also introduced. The character of Mr Brocklehurst is also reintroduced and he is further shown to be the cruel and vindictive man we know him to be. Janes character also develops quite alot during chapters five to ten as she seems to continually complain about her life at lowood and seems somewhat self-centred at points. On the other hand Jane appears to have learnt a great deal about herself over the past eight or so years that she has spent at Lowood, especially under the care and protection of Miss Temple. Jane has grown up and appears to have learnt from her personal experiences to develop into a young lady who is much less emotional and over-dramatic.

Themes

The theme of religion is strongly contrasted. Jane does not understand the concept of religion, not having been brought up in its presence. When she meets Helen who is heavily christian her naivety is more prominent.

Jane searches for love and also for a sense of place. She has never experienced it, she even says “to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest” this shows just how desperate she truly is, going as far to say that she would have her arm broken just to know love.

Hypocrisy is also a key theme running through the past few chapters as with Mr Brocklehurst's speech about the clothing of the girls etc. This just shows how he doesn't follow his own beliefs which he takes from the bible. This also links with the other key theme of religion.

Motifs & Symbols

The most significant motif which reoccurs is the aspect of contrast between the striking and colourful language which conjures many strong visual images in the minds eye and the ordinary day to day life which Jane seems to talk about on a number of occasions.

Hardship is also an apparent motif as Jane never seems to hold down a content or even reasonably stable state of emotions. Just when we believe Jane is finally happy, yet another problem arises, consequently Jane becomes sad and the rich and positively filled text becomes bland and negative.

Personal Response

In my opinion the book has become much more satisfying. By this i mean that the flow of the story has quickened in its pace and i find myself wanting to know what happens next and asking questions. As the story progresses i begin to sympathise with the situtation that Jane is in and the writing style of bronte allows me to relate to her. I also feel that as Jane grows older the plot and storyline becomes more intersting hence why i am beginning to truly enjoy the book.

Reading Journal Chapters-1-4

Jane Eyre

Chapter summaries:

In the first chapter the main character Jane Eyre is introduced as is the rest of the Reed family and Bessie the servant. Following this in chapter two Jane laments on how unfairly she is being treated, particularly whilst being placed in the red room. Bessie takes care of Jane whilst she is ill and we meet Mr Lloyd the kind apothecaries. Finally in chapter four Jane is informed that she is to go to Lowood School and then talks with fierce honesty to Mrs Reed.

Chapter 1

Themes
Isolation, loneliness and seclusion. Suppression and Misery.

Characters

Jane

Jane is a lonely, yet imaginative and extremely intelligent girl who seeks freedom and happiness in her own world. She escapes the suppression and misery that shrouds her life under the roof of the reed household through books in which she can then create a world of her own.

Eliza and Georgiana.

Both girls are doted upon and spoilt by their mother whom they are particularly obedient and loyal towards, they are also appear to be easily controlled and by their older brother John Reed.

John Reed

Master Reed sees himself as man of the house since his father passed away and is especially spoilt by his adoring mother who seems to overlook how much of a bully he is in reality.

Mrs Reed

Easily disliked by the reader as she obviously resents Jane and we get the impression that she’s sees some of her late husband in Jane, thus is the reason for being so cruel and unfair towards the innocent and helpless Jane.

Motifs
'scarlet drapery' and 'Red moreen curtain' suggest danger in the form and symbolism of the colour red, this also links with the red room which she is sent to at the end of this chapter.

Places
A bleak and miserable winter is where the story begins with a gloomy portrayal of the Reeds family home and gardens.

Narrative voice.
The story is narrated in the first person by Jane, allowing us as the reader to get involved on a deeper level with her emotions and thoughts. However with the story being told in this manner we are receiving a potentially bias view as we only know what she reveals to us.

Chapter 2

Characters
Jane realises in this chapter that if she was prettier she would be treated differently at least by the servants. Bessie and Miss Abbot are introduced both of whom appear presently to be rather unkind. Jane describes Eliza as ‘Head strong and selfish yet respected’, Georgiana ‘had a spoiled temper and a very acrid spite’. Jane seems almost jealous of Georgiana’s beauty.

Motifs
Again red is a constant especially in the description of the red room, 'deep red damask' 'carpet was red' 'crimson cloth'

Places
The red room is described in detail by Jane.

Narrative voice
The narrative voice marks a definite change in Jane’s story telling as she seems to reflect on what happened to her in the red room as apposed to just explaining her emotions.

Chapter 3

Characters
Jane awakes to find the apothecary Mr Lloyd in her presence. Mr Lloyd is kind towards Jane and we are able to see how she copes with this. Bessie seems to have a rather softer demeanour and almost sympathises with Jane on the harshness with which she is treated by the Reeds and in main by Mrs Reed.

Places
We are introduced into the nursery where Bessie takes care of Jane whilst she is ill.

Chapter 4

Characters.
Mr Brocklehurst visits Gateshead in order to talk to Jane about school and her belief in god and Christianity. He scrutinises Jane and we perceive him to be both Judgemental and pretentious. When Mr Brocklehurst questions Mrs Reed she aspires to tell him that Jane is deceitful at which point Jane becomes increasingly worried that her future will be forever tarnished by the harsh criticisms and untruths told by Mrs reed

Motifs
Wealth is juxtaposed to poverty in this chapter and injustice is recurring throughout.
Interesting Extracts and phrases.
'Clear panes of glass, protecting but not separating me from the drear November day
‘Leafless shrubbery…The cold winter had brought with it clouds so sombre and a rain so penetrating…’
'Ere I had finished this reply, my soul began to expand, to exult, with he strangest sense of freedom, of triumph, I ever felt…'
'Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.'
'The broken boat stranded on the desolate coast'

General Response

Readers sympathise with Jane as we receive an insight into her life and the distressing ways in which she is treated. We are able to get an understanding of Jane’s imaginary world, a place that she often visits to escape the harsh reality of her life. This is described in both a literal and metaphorical escape with strong visual images being created. Sound, colour and texture play a key role in creating a sense of place and emotion. Jane cleverly links and relates her own loneliness to that of a ‘broken boat stranded on the desolate coast'