The Gothic Features of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The Gothic Features of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

A Gothic novel is a type of literature, which became very popular in

the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In this time,

society was governed by strict moral codes. The "Gothics" would escape

into a world of dark, supernatural and wild passions. The word

'Gothic' meant barbarous and wild and many writers liked to involve

these elements in their novels. Gothic novels were usually set in

foreign countries, particularly in Catholic countries in Southern

Europe, and usually set in the past, in the Middle Ages. Many Gothic

novels took place in castles, dungeons and monasteries, and were

supernatural and mysterious, involving ghosts and monsters.

Gothic novels often follow this pattern: a young beautiful girl who is

rather helpless with no family, is abducted by a rough, dark villain

who imprisons her in his castle. After much danger and possible

exploitation, she is rescued by a good, pleasant young man who falls

in love with her. Gothic novels are always very dramatic and

mysterious, with a great deal of detailed description and suspense and

tension. Charlotte Bronte did not perhaps aim to write a Gothic novel,

but she was perhaps influenced by the books and materials she had read

as a child.

Throughout 'Jane Eyre', the location and setting are very important.

Jane begins at Gateshead with the Reed family, where she is very

excluded and isolated. Sympathy is created for Jane as she is thought

of as a weak and vulnerable heroine. This I consider to be very

Gothic. "I was a discord in Gateshead Hall: I was like nobody there".

The house is very grand and elaborate w...

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...eates, using similes, metaphors and symbolism.

However, there are parts where Bronte has changed the typical 'Gothic novel' around. For example, at the meeting of Jane and Mr Rochester. Here it seems that Jane is the hero, and Mr Rochester is the heroine. This adds contrast and makes it seem more interesting for the reader, as they would it expect Jane to be the heroine, and Mr Rochester the hero.

The ending is not to be considered Gothic either, because, although they fall in love at the end, Mr Rochester's mansion is burnt down and he is blind. This would normally contradict a normal Gothic novel, where everything would end happily.

Charlotte Bronte has not completely written a Gothic novel, however 'Jane Eyre' does have many features which could be considered Gothic.

Works Cited:

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: New American Library, 1997.