The Importance Of Setting In Jane Eyre

4. The setting of the novel is set in England during the Victorian Era, and comprises a multitude of locations that reflect Jane’s journey between houses as Gateshead Hall, Ferndean, and Lowood School. These settings in turn affect plot and contribute to the novel, for it opens up Jane’s beginnings and elucidates the restrictive culture she is immersed in. For example, at Gateshead Hall, the setting helps build a sense of discord to the plot-underscoring Jane’s destitution among her rich relatives. “…in Gateshead Hall…nothing in harmony with Mrs. Reed or her children (7).” Often bombarded with physical attacks for her poor standing, and looked down upon for her homely looks-the setting gives a glimpse into Jane’s lack of confidence regarding

The atmosphere imbues her with a new sense of unbridled joy and passion, “...spent in the open air...brilliantly green; how sparklingly blue was the sky...happier than ever (353),” and she engages in free, intelligent discourse with Mr. Rochester without fear. The setting thus contributes to the novel as a whole, for it highlights Jane’s mental growth-from falling into society’s core values, to rebelling against society’s strictures for women, and finally choosing Mr. Rochester out of her own volition and with genuine joy. By building up the plot through the setting-Jane is given a baseline to which she acts upon her opinions and overcomes obstacles. The starkly different settings thus provide differing sets of vicissitudes and blessings that help elucidate the contrast between society’s expectations and Jane’s inner psyche, and create a dynamic plot that allows Jane’s development into the free, cultured woman to intertwine with the theme of the novel as a whole: showing how with persistence, we may overcome adversity within

Jane initially arises from a destitute background, following the death of her parents-and her main struggle involves finding her way within the restrictive Victorian era. Perpetually isolated and afraid-alienation from her “more beautiful” Georgiana and Eliza adversely impacts her mind, and negates her confidence. “I wiped my tears and hushed my sobs, fearful lest a sign of violent grief might waken a preternatural voice…(8)” Indeed, Jane’s sorrow underscores her trapped grief; she is physically attacked by John-and her only sense of solace is derived from the preternatural: Mr. Reed’s spirits, which she feels if alive, would have been a much more kindly family member. However, as she progresses to Lowood School, she begins to find inner confidence through her studies. “I toiled hard, and success was proportional to my efforts; I was promoted to a higher class; allowed to commence French…(56)” These academic fruitions thus reveal how Jane’s growth is dynamic-she sheds her isolated silence to reveal a hardworking, knowledgeable girl eager to pursue her ambitions. Then, as a governess at Thornfield, Jane encounters many vicissitudes that highlight her self-reliance, including Mr. Rochester’s affections, which she rejects due to its lack of accordance with her values, and St. John’s proposals, which she also denies, due to his wishes to “influence” her entirely. This characterization is in turn dynamic, for she progresses from a lowly servant tormented by her insecurities,