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Examples Of White In Jane Eyre

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The word ‘white’ can be defined as ‘color at its most complete and pure, the color of perfection’ or ‘purity, innocence, wholeness and completion’ according to Empower Yourself With Color. In literature, white can be used as a symbol for purity and innocence. As Jane grows older, the word ‘white’ appears more often in the story to emphasize her personal growth as a woman and highlight her innocence. Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, can be encompassed by the word “white” as demonstrated through Jane’s time at Lowood, her arrival at Thornfield, and her time with St. John. The use of ‘white’ is representing the purity of the beginning of the story and Jane’s innocence before life events depleted the amount of that quality. …show more content…

She meets Miss Temple, her teacher who turns into one of her first true friends. Jane describes how she feels around her teacher as, “...I derived a child’s pleasure from the contemplation of her face, her dress, her one or two ornaments, her white forehead, her clustered and shining curls, and beaming dark eyes… (Bronte 133)” Jane emphasizes the color of Miss Temple’s forehead to show that she is innocent too. She also does not know much about the world, but yet she is teaching children what they need to know to be educated for their adult lives. Having a role model figure like Miss Temple allows Jane to look up to a woman who has managed to achieve her goals and maintain her innocence. In addition to this, the use of white also highlights this first friendship as a beginning for Jane and the theme of innocence. A new chapter of life starts as Jane meets people who will treat her as she deserves to be treated. However, Jane still longs for the good parts of life before Lowood, “That night, on going to bed, I forgot to prepare in imagination the Barmecide supper of hot roast potatoes, or white bread and new milk, with which I was wont to amuse my inward cravings… (Bronte 109).” Jane does not want to go back to Gateshead, but desires the …show more content…

Rochester takes a turn for the worst, she finds refuge with St. John and his family. However, in the end she returns to Thornfield to continue her life with Mr. Rochester after feeling as if something has gone wrong in his life. This is convenient for Jane because St. John would do anything for her to marry him right now, even when she explicitly denies his request. In one of these instances, white is used to highlight the effects of each of their choices, “‘Formerly,’ I answered, ‘because you did not love me; now, I reply, because you almost hate me. If I were to marry you, you would kill me. You are killing me now.’ His lips and cheeks turned white quite white, (Bronte 791).” The fact that Jane will not accept his wedding proposal has taken him back so much that he looks ill. Bronte specifically uses white to describe his appearance to show that because Jane has denied his request, both of them will still maintain their innocence. Jane stays true to herself throughout this ordeal by not marrying someone she does not love, which displays maturity. This is not the first time that St. John appears this way. Earlier in this portion of the novel, Bronte describes him as, “...his tall figure all white as a glacier, (Bronte 721).” This is an introduction to this particular innocent portrayal of St. John. Although he is masculine, he is still pure and unaware of the worst the world can offer. Jane can see him in this way because she can

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