Welcome to the World of Jane Eyre!
Hello! If you are studying Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre for your OCR AS Level, you are in for a treat. This isn't just an old story about a governess; it is a powerful "autobiography" of a woman finding her voice in a world that wants her to stay quiet. In this section, The Language of Prose, we aren't just looking at what happens to Jane. We are looking at how Brontë uses language, structure, and narrative techniques to make us feel Jane’s every joy and heartache.
Don't worry if the 19th-century language feels a bit "fancy" at first. By the end of these notes, you’ll be able to take apart an extract like a pro!
1. Understanding the Genre: More Than Just a Romance
To understand the language of the novel, we first need to know what kind of "container" the story is in. Jane Eyre fits into two main categories:
A. The Bildungsroman: This is a fancy German word for a "coming-of-age" story. It follows a character from childhood to adulthood.
B. The Gothic Novel: Think of this as the "Victorian Horror/Drama" genre. It uses gloomy settings (like Thornfield Hall), secrets, and intense emotions.
Analogy: Imagine a Bildungsroman is like a "leveling up" montage in a video game, where Jane gains experience points in every new location. The Gothic elements are like the "creepy background music" and "jump scares" that keep the tension high.
2. The Narrative Voice: "Reader, I Married Him"
One of the most important things in the syllabus is the use of voice. Jane is our first-person narrator. This means we see everything through her eyes.
Key Concept: The Two Janes
When you read, remember there are actually two "voices" happening at once:
1. Young Jane: The character living through the events, feeling angry or scared.
2. Older Jane: The narrator looking back years later. She is wiser and often adds her own reflections.
Why this matters: Brontë uses this to create intimacy. When Jane addresses the "Reader" directly, it’s like she’s leaning in to tell you a secret. It makes us trust her and side with her against the "villains" of the book.
Quick Review:
• Narrative Perspective: First-person ("I").
• Tone: Passionate, honest, and sometimes rebellious.
• Direct Address: Breaking the "fourth wall" by talking to the reader.
3. Structure and Chronology: Jane’s Five Stages
The novel is structured around five specific locations. Brontë uses these settings to mirror Jane's internal growth. This is a key part of narrative structure.
1. Gateshead: Childhood, being trapped, and the "Red Room."
2. Lowood School: Education, harsh discipline, and her first friendship (Helen Burns).
3. Thornfield: Romance, mystery, and the discovery of Bertha Mason.
4. Marsh End (Moor House): Independence and finding a family.
5. Ferndean: The final resolution and equality with Rochester.
Did you know? The name "Eyre" sounds like "Air" (suggesting freedom), but also "Heir" (someone who inherits) and "Ire" (meaning anger). Brontë chose her name very carefully!
4. Language Choices: Lexis and Imagery
The syllabus asks you to look at how language choices shape meaning. Brontë uses specific types of words (lexis) to create different moods.
Fire and Ice Imagery:
This is a famous motif in the book.
• Fire usually represents passion, anger, and Jane’s spirit. When Jane is angry at her Aunt Reed, her blood "glows." Rochester is often associated with the hearth and warmth.
• Ice represents emotional coldness, loneliness, and repression. St. John Rivers is often described with words like "marble," "frozen," and "cold."
Semantic Fields:
A semantic field is a group of words that all relate to the same topic. For example, in the Gothic scenes, Brontë uses a semantic field of fear and darkness: "shadow," "ghastly," "blood-red," "phantom." This builds a "creepy" atmosphere without the reader even realizing why they feel nervous!
5. Characterisation and Dialogue
How do we know who a character is? Brontë shows us through their dialogue (how they talk) and description.
Jane’s Dialogue: She is often very "plain-spoken." She doesn't use flowery language like the wealthy characters (like Blanche Ingram). This reflects her honesty.
Rochester’s Dialogue: His speech is often fragmented, commanding, and full of metaphors. It shows his tortured, Byronic Hero personality (that’s a character who is moody, intelligent, and has a dark secret).
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just say a character is "nice" or "mean." Use the text! Say: "Brontë uses imperative verbs (commands) in Rochester’s dialogue to show his social dominance."
6. Setting and Pathetic Fallacy
In Jane Eyre, the weather is never just weather. Brontë uses Pathetic Fallacy—this is when the environment/weather reflects the character's emotions.
Example: On the night Rochester proposes to Jane, there is a terrible storm, and a "great horse-chestnut tree" is struck by lightning and split in half. This is foreshadowing. The "split" tree hints that their union will also be split apart.
Memory Aid (The "Weather-Emotion" Link):
Think of the setting as Jane's "Mood Ring."
• Fog = Confusion/Secrets.
• Bright Sunshine = Brief moments of happiness.
• Rain/Wind = Emotional turmoil.
7. How to Analyse an Extract: A Step-by-Step Guide
When you get an extract in the exam, follow these steps to make sure you hit the syllabus requirements:
Step 1: Locate the extract. Where are we in the five stages? (e.g., Is this Jane as a child at Gateshead or as an adult at Thornfield?)
Step 2: Identify the Voice. Is Jane being emotional and reactive, or calm and reflective?
Step 3: Look for Language Levels.
• Lexis: Are the words simple or complex? Are there patterns of fire/ice?
• Syntax: Are the sentences long and rambling (excitement/panic) or short and punchy (certainty)?
Step 4: Connect to Narrative Techniques. Is there a symbol here? Is there dialogue that reveals a power struggle?
Key Takeaway: Always ask yourself: "Why did Brontë choose THIS word instead of a different one? What does it tell us about Jane’s internal world?"
8. Summary of Key Narrative Aspects
Point of View: Autodiegetic (the narrator is the main character).
Chronology: Linear (follows her life in order), but with jumps between childhood and the time of writing.
Motifs: The "Red Room," Fire vs. Ice, birds (Jane says "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me").
Context: The Victorian struggle for women to have independence and a "soul" of their own.
Final Encouraging Thought: Jane Eyre can seem like a long book, but at its heart, it’s just about a girl trying to find where she belongs. If you focus on Jane’s voice and Brontë’s symbols, you’ll find that the "language of prose" is actually a very exciting tool for telling a story!