Jane Eyre: an Extract Analysis

Realistic Novel Elements

The extract from Jane Eyre shows characteristics of a realistic novel, which tries to depict life as it is actually lived, through its portrayal of characters and situations. Notice how Grace Poole's dialogue reflects everyday speech patterns of the time, saying "We're tolerable, sir, I thank you" instead of more formal language. The description of the room, though containing elements of mystery, is fundamentally realistic: a fire, a lamp, a person cooking. The struggle between Mr. Rochester and Bertha is described in visceral, realistic detail, emphasizing physical strength and the difficulty of restraining her. This excerpt from Jane Eyre incorporates elements of everyday life and presents characters with both virtues and flaws, contributing to its realistic feel.

Gothic Novel Elements

The excerpt also contains strong Gothic elements that create a sense of mystery and suspense. The description of the room "without a window" and the fire "guarded by a high and strong fender" evokes a prison-like or isolated atmosphere. The phrase "deep shade" suggests hidden secrets and the unknown. The initial ambiguity about the figure, "whether beast or human being," creates a sense of unease and horror, typical of Gothic literature. The description of Bertha as a "clothed hyena" and a "maniac" contributes to the Gothic theme of madness and the grotesque. Rochester's statement about his "conjugal embrace" being with a "demon" highlight the dramatic and horrific aspects, aligning with the atmosphere of fear often found in Gothic novels.

Physical Symptoms of Illness

The text gives us some clues about Bertha's health. The text tells us Bertha has a "purple face" and "bloated features." The story also mentions her "shaggy locks," and her wild behaviour. This makes her seem like she does not take care of herself, which can be a sign of illness, both physical and mental. While the story focuses on her "fiercest yells" and how she acts like a "clothed hyena" that "grovelled, seemingly, on all fours," these physical descriptions add to the picture of her condition. In the Victorian era, people often connected these kinds of physical signs with illnesses, especially illnesses of the mind. The book doesn't say exactly what is wrong with her, but these details hint at her suffering, even though it leans more towards a dramatic, "Gothic" way of showing madness.

Victorian Marriage

The extract offers a critical portrayal of Victorian marriage. Mr. Rochester's declaration, "That is my wife," reveals the entrapment and legal obligations of marriage, even when love and compatibility are absent. His description of it as a "conjugal embrace" with a "demon" highlights the stark contrast between the idealized view of marriage and the grim reality of his situation. The fact that he is already married to a "madwoman" when he desires to marry Jane underscores the complexities and constraints placed on individuals within the Victorian marriage system. The excerpt challenges the conventional idea of marriage as a blissful union, describing it as potentially a source of misery and confinement. This is further emphasized by the contrast between Bertha, Rochester's 'demon' wife, and Jane, whom he sees as a potential ideal Victorian wife – quiet, obedient, and a stark contrast to the 'madwoman.'