Loneliness and Isolation in Jane Eyre
Loneliness and Isolation in Jane Eyre
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre”, the eponymous protagonist suffers throughout the plot from loneliness and isolation, and these two themes interweave for the duration.
Jane’s loneliness and isolation are repeatedly linked to her “physical inferiority”, and this phrase is used by Jane to describe herself very early on in the novel. Jane is small, underdeveloped, pale and timid, which often means she finds herself helpless and different to everybody else. These differences thus lead to her isolation, as she feels she is an outcast in society, as well as feeling shy and embarrassed about her inferior appearance. In the opening scene of the novel, we learn that Jane’s Master, John Reed, is a tough and prominent character, which is an immediate juxtaposition to Jane as he is not a lonely or isolated character, neither shy nor reserved.
This novel is separated into three parts, each characterised by different stages in Jane’s life. These three parts are emphasised by three different place names, which are in themselves very intentional symbols of Jane’s loneliness and isolation. The first of these is “Gateshead” where Jane lives with the Reed family. The imagery of a gate here symbolises enclosure and entrapment, and similarly the idea of the head suggests a form of psychological isolation due to the human brain being enclosed in one’s head. Secondly, we come across “Lowood School”. This glum image of lowness symbolises Jane’s social isolation, as she is lower class however she has grown up with the upper class Reed family, and is at a well-respected school. This throws Jane into an incredibly ambiguous social position, which exacerbates her isolation and loneliness, as she feels again no sense of belonging. Nature is also presented as isolating in this case, which is represented by the imagery of a wood: lonely, mysterious and often negative places to be, showing Jane’s uncomfort, loneliness and isolation. This
In Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre”, the eponymous protagonist suffers throughout the plot from loneliness and isolation, and these two themes interweave for the duration.
Jane’s loneliness and isolation are repeatedly linked to her “physical inferiority”, and this phrase is used by Jane to describe herself very early on in the novel. Jane is small, underdeveloped, pale and timid, which often means she finds herself helpless and different to everybody else. These differences thus lead to her isolation, as she feels she is an outcast in society, as well as feeling shy and embarrassed about her inferior appearance. In the opening scene of the novel, we learn that Jane’s Master, John Reed, is a tough and prominent character, which is an immediate juxtaposition to Jane as he is not a lonely or isolated character, neither shy nor reserved.
This novel is separated into three parts, each characterised by different stages in Jane’s life. These three parts are emphasised by three different place names, which are in themselves very intentional symbols of Jane’s loneliness and isolation. The first of these is “Gateshead” where Jane lives with the Reed family. The imagery of a gate here symbolises enclosure and entrapment, and similarly the idea of the head suggests a form of psychological isolation due to the human brain being enclosed in one’s head. Secondly, we come across “Lowood School”. This glum image of lowness symbolises Jane’s social isolation, as she is lower class however she has grown up with the upper class Reed family, and is at a well-respected school. This throws Jane into an incredibly ambiguous social position, which exacerbates her isolation and loneliness, as she feels again no sense of belonging. Nature is also presented as isolating in this case, which is represented by the imagery of a wood: lonely, mysterious and often negative places to be, showing Jane’s uncomfort, loneliness and isolation. This