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Jane Eyre Settings

Decent Essays

Mysterious, complex, and utterly captivating, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre constantly leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The book consists of constant plot twists, all of which eventually make sense in the end. Perhaps what is most fascinating about Jane Eyre is the setting behind it. Throughout the novel, Jane Eyre travels to many places over multiple years. Through analysis it is clear that these different settings relate to each period and development in her life. Commonly contrasting and seemingly insignificant, the details behind locations such as Thornfield and Ferndean allow Bronte to develop Jane as a character as well as create a deeper meaning behind her work. Thornfield and Ferndean are contrasting in both their literal and metaphorical meanings. When the compound words of each title are broken apart, additional insight can be found. The “Thorn” in Thornfield gives off a negative vibe as not many enjoy encountering thorns. Despite this, when Jane first arrives at Thornfield, she is …show more content…

Thornfield is a grand mansion when compared to the countryside manor of Ferndean. However, its is Ferndean which feels more homely. This is due to Thornfield’s cold manor setting, the appearance of the building itself being uninviting. Ferndean is a merry and carefree atmosphere when compared to Thornfield. Jane describes her time at Ferndean in the following, “Most of the morning was spent in the open air. I led him out of the wet and wild wood into some cheerful fields: I described to him how brilliantly green they were; how the flowers and the hedges looked refreshed; how sparklingly blue was the sky” (478). The images presented are light and insouciant. Bronte also writes this time at Ferndean as in the spring, a common symbol for rebirth. Despite its ornateness, Thornfield is an atmosphere of depression, clearly a dark time for

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