The Dichotomy of Imagery in Jane Eyre - 1543 Words

The Dichotomy of Imagery Within Jane Eyre Upon initially examining Charlotte Brontes novel Jane Eyre, there appears to be a predominance of imagery that the author utilizes to represent both the title character and the various forms of adversity she comes into contact with. The vast majority of this imagery depicts the dichotomy of fire and ice. The author utilizes the former to represent the indomitable spirit and passion of the title character, whereas she employs the latter to symbolize the antagonizing elements that seek to damper Eyres flaming ardor. Interestingly enough, this dichotomy is existent throughout the duration of Eyres life and is evident in her early days as an orphan, in her years receiving her formal education as a school girl, and in her adulthood years when she considers candidates for a husband. Although the symbolism behind the imagery of fire and ice change slightly throughout Eyres various stages of development, this dichotomy nonetheless represents the central theme of the novel: Eyres triumph over the forces of poverty, forlornness, and despair into a successful life of her choosing. Early on in the novel, Eyres personality is characterized by an incendiary disposition that is largely in response to the adverse conditions in which she finds herself. She is an orphan who lives with her aunt, Mrs. Reed, who treats her cruelly in comparison to how she treats the other children living there. Shortly after Mrs. Reed decides to send Eyre awayShow MoreRelatedFire and Water Imagery in Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre1671 Words   |  7 PagesFire and Water Imagery in Jane Eyre   Ã‚  Ã‚   In Jane Eyre, the use of water and fire imagery is very much related to the character and/or mood of the protagonists (i.e. Jane and Rochester, and to a certain extent St. John Rivers) -- and it also serves to show Jane in a sort of intermediate position between the two men. However, it should also be noted that the characteristics attributed to fire and water have alternately positive and negative implications -- to cite an example among many, nearRead MoreThe Colonial Implications in Jane Eyre and Great Expectations3008 Words   |  13 Pagesto Charles Dickens Great Expectations and Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre and to what extent do these novelists draw from the colonial discourse in their representation of the `non- Western world? The Victorian novel has performed an important service in Eurocentric epistemologies and colonial ideologies in formulating the colonial discourse and establishing the alterity of `self and the `Other. Both Great Expectations and Jane Eyre, like most novels produced in the Victorian period, contain colonialRead MoreWide Sargasso Sea By Charlotte Bronte1989 Words   |  8 PagesIn 1966, Jean Rhys published her novel ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’. The story depicts the life of Antoinette Cosway, her marriage to a mysterious Englishman, and her eventual descent into madness. The story is a prequel to ‘Jane Ayre’ by Charlotte Brontà «, and gives the woman in the attic a voice. This essay looks at the use of narrative in ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’, and evaluates how this informs the interpreted meaning of the text. The style of the delivery of the plot is an important aspect of literature. The