Settings in Jane Eyre

A detailed Summary of Settings in Jane Eyre

Authors use different types of literary devices such as setting in their works to reveal theme. Setting can be described as the time and place in which an event occurs. It is a major factor in revealing plot and showing character development. The setting in The Grapes of Wrath allows the reader to see the poor conditions in the dust bowl that the Joad family was forced to live and the opportunities they had in California; however, they were unable to obtain them. Charlotte Bronte sets her story, Jane Eyre, in the 1840's, a time often refereed to as the Victorian age. By doing this, the reader can get a sense of how women are treated, and what responsibilities they were required to uphold in society. They rarely held important jobs if they were not married. Instead, they basically had two options either as a governess or a schoolteacher. If they were married they were mothers and hostesses for their husband's parties. Jane was a very strong woman for her time, as she did not allow people to mistreat her. She is on a constant search for love and goes many places to find it. As Jane travels through each place, starting at age ten in Gateshead Hall till she was nineteen in Ferndean, she matures as a result of the

In the beginning of the novel, Jane, age ten, lives in Gateshead Hall, a house owned by her uncle. She lived with her Aunt Reed and her three children. Jane was treated as an outcast there because of her lower class background and the fact that her uncle loved her the most over his wife and children. This caused jealousy in the home. "I was a discord at Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there" (47). In Gateshead Hall Jane was treated as a servant not as a member of their family. She was as an ugly person with a temper in a beautiful rich place. The only form of love that Jane possesses was the doll she slept with every night. Mrs. Reed, her aunt, was an evil woman who believes that she is superior. Jane did not accept her aunt's superiority and she threw violent temper tantrums. "God will punish her: He might strike her in the midst of her tantrums" (45). Jane's Aunt punished Jane for others wrong doing to her. Jane was constantly reminded that she does not do anything to earn her keep, "No; you are less than a servant for you do nothing for your keep" (44). In Gateshead Hall Jane knew that she was not very lovable, and that she could not find love there. She was an unwanted child, and she was an outsider in her own home, the only home she ever knew.

All in all setting helps to show the theme. By allowing Jane to go through so many different settings Bronte is showing the growth that she undergoes. This growth is from a temperamental young girl to a strong married woman. Setting is one of the key ingredients in making a novel. It helps the reader to understand the story and where the character is coming from.

experiences that she has, which in turn allows her to become a strong woman.

Jane left Thornfield with only twenty shillings. She decided to take a coach as far as her money could take her. After she ran out of money she ended up in the Moor House. The Moor House was owned by three siblings, St. John, Mary, and Diane Rivers. St. John was a minister at a parish in their village. Jane immediately moved in with them and worked as a teacher at the parish that John worked at. She enjoyed working there, but not as much as she enjoyed working at Adele, because she loved teaching French and painting. Jane's relationship with St. John was strictly a working one. She helped him learn hindostanee (Hindi) in order to prepare him for his new job as a missionary. He would later use this the language during his missionary work. He wanted Jane to marry him and become a missionary wife when he moved to India. He tried everything to persuade her to come. He told her that God planned this for her and that it was her duty to God to do this. Jane told him "He will never love me; but he shall approve me. He prizes me as a soldier would a good weapon." (405). St. John wants to marry Jane for love. The relationship that Jane had with St. John was very different than the one that s

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Approximate Word count = 1971
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English