Imagery In "Jane Eyre" by Bronte

Jane Eyre tells the story of a woman progressing on the path towards acceptance. Throughout her journey, Jane comes across many obstacles. Male dominance proves to be the biggest obstacle at each stop of Jane's journey: Gateshead Hall, Lowood Institution, Thornfield Manor, Moor House, and Ferndean Manor. Through the progression of the story, Jane slowly learns how to understand and control her repression. I will be analyzing Janes stops at Thornfield Manor

and Moor House for this is where she met the two most important men in her life. The easiest way to compare and contrast Rochester and St. John Rivers is by examining when and under what circumstances these two gentlemen come into contact with Jane.

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ab It is at Thornfield Manor that Jane

first encounters Mr. Rochester. While living at Thornfield, Rochester demands undivided attention from the servants, Jane included. He needs to be in control of every aspect of his life, and he needs to feel superior to all of those around him.

English: Title page, first edition, en:Jane Eyre.

English: North Lees Hall, Hathersage. Charlotte Br...

English: North Lees Hall and out buildings Otherwi...

Jane de

cides to accept his control and she concedes to him by calling him sir, even after they begin to have an intimate relationship. At one point, she even goes so far as to excuse herself for thinking. She says, 'I was thinking, sir (you will excuse the idea;

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it was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers' (p.289). This statement possibly begins to suggests Janes unsatisfaction with Rochester's position of complete dominance in their relationship.

To Jane, Rochester embodies the idea of love which she has so long been denied of. As I stated earlier, the whole movie is about Janes journey towards acceptance, by herself and by others. It is this journey which persuades her to move on when she finds

Rochester's physical and material...