Jane Eyre Research Essay
A Mirror to God’s Word Religion is a very trivial concept to the majority of the population in modern society. The average citizen has little to no knowledge of the Bible and its contents. Only the very devout figures are familiar with the sacred writings. In the Victorian era, however, the Christian Holy book had a much greater importance. Back then in Great Britain, it was very common for citizens to know much about, and identify with The Holy Bible. “Victorian England was a deeply religious country. A great number of people were habitual church-goers, at least once and probably twice, every Sunday” (Roth). Even children and socially low inhabitants of the time knew this religious book well. Charlotte Bronte, having been born and raised in this religious time period, was also familiar with the Bible. The author uses her knowledge of this blessed manuscript to enhance her writings. By using well-known Christian-based tales, Bronte was able to make the book easier for her audience to identify with, as well as add to its overall development and detail. Bronte utilized several biblical references to develop characters in the novel Jane Eyre such as “Rebekah at the Well,” “The Twelve Apostles,” and “Noah’s Ark.”
The story “Rebekah at the Well,” from Genesis, comes into play in an important instance in Bronte’s classic Jane Eyre. In the novel, this occasion is the start of Jane and Rochester’s burning love. This passion between the two lovers mirrors God’s Word in the way that both “Rebekah at the Well,” and the steamy story of Jane and Rochester are both beginnings; the start of a long collection of religious stories and the start of love. When Rochester is playing charades with Blanche Ingram, there are two parts to Rochester and Blanche’s charade. In the first part, Rochester and Blanche act out a wedding; “Then appeared the magnificent figure of Miss Ingram, clad in white, a long veil on her head, and a wreath of roses round her brow; by her side walked
The story “Rebekah at the Well,” from Genesis, comes into play in an important instance in Bronte’s classic Jane Eyre. In the novel, this occasion is the start of Jane and Rochester’s burning love. This passion between the two lovers mirrors God’s Word in the way that both “Rebekah at the Well,” and the steamy story of Jane and Rochester are both beginnings; the start of a long collection of religious stories and the start of love. When Rochester is playing charades with Blanche Ingram, there are two parts to Rochester and Blanche’s charade. In the first part, Rochester and Blanche act out a wedding; “Then appeared the magnificent figure of Miss Ingram, clad in white, a long veil on her head, and a wreath of roses round her brow; by her side walked
Cited: Brasseur, Courtney. "Biblical Passages in Jane Eyre." Charlotte 's Web. 2005. University of Michigan-Dearborn. 5 Feb. 2008 <http://www.umd.umich.edu/>. Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Ann Arbor: Borders Classics, 2006. 154-207. The Holy Bible. New York: The World Company, 1962. Roth, Christine. "Victorian England: An Introduction." Victorian England. 2006. University of Wisconsin. 11 Feb. 2008 <http://www.english.uwosh.edu/roth/>.