a. “I returned to my book—Bewick’s “History of British Birds:” the letter-press thereof I cared little for, generally speaking; and yet there was certain … pages … I could not pass quite as a blank” (Bronte 12).
b. The book that Jane choses to read in this passage is highly significant, and is enhanced due to the symbolic imagery birds and their characteristics bring to mind. Just as birds have urges to seek freedom and migrate, so Jane longs to escape from her “prison” and leave her trying circumstances. Birds are also seen as being in captivity throughout literature, which Jane is experiencing as well. The addition of a bird-related work of literature in this passage lends its full imagery for the reader’s experience.
a. “I backed round the convent-like garden, and then up at the house … a stone tablet over the door bore this inscription: LOWOOD INSTITUTION. THIS PORTION WAS REBUILT A.D. --, BY NAOMI BROCKLEHURST OF BROCKLEHURST HALL, IN THIS COUNTY” (Bronte 50).
b. Both names of people and geographic locations are major indicators of plot twists and direction in Jane Eyre. In this instance, Jane’s school, Lowood, has a very deep, almost depressing sound to it. It seems to insinuate that the next part of Jane’s journey will be a dark and low point in her life. This is later seen to be true, as she struggles with oppressive authority, deprivation, and the loss of a respected friend at this place. Ironically, the inscription with Lowood’s name on it also had a Bible verse, which read as so: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – St. Matt. 5:16” The verse implies that Lowood seeks to perform charitably toward its students, with benevolence and concern; however, Jane comes to realize that the opposite is true. Irony is quite prevalent in this particular passage.
a. “I was a discord in Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there; I had nothing