Essay Topic:

The depth of the symbolism of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”.

Essay Questions:

What is the role of Helen Burns in terms of the representation of the personality of Jane Eyre?

In what way does the Red Room reveal the depth of the personality of Jane Eyre?

What is the main symbol of love of the book?

Thesis Statement:

The symbolism of Helen Burns and the Red Room is essential for the message of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”.

Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” symbolism

 

Introduction: It is common knowledge that very often the author shares his message with the reader with the help of certain symbols. Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” is not an exception. One of the brightest symbolic aspects of the book is the character of Helen Burns.

Helen Burns represents a part of Jane Eyre’s personality manifesting staying true to principles and standing humiliations with dignity. She represents the part of Jane that was constantly hungry physically but striving for more intellectually. But at the same time her death becomes the symbol of the changes in Jane’s life. As Helen accepts everything in her strange religious acceptance she tries to deny everything physical, including her body and the pain caused by school abuse. Helen “opposes” Jane as she is not looking for anything expect her faith and she lives simply to accept all the humiliations. Her death symbolizes Jane’s inability to simply stand all the suffering and also her desire to belong, to be loved and to find something better. This is how one part of Jane dies and another period of her life beings.

Another symbol is the red-room in which Jane is locked as a punishment while living with Mrs. Reed. As Jane is basically imprisoned there she suffers isolation. She is alone but she wants somebody to be there for her, to calm her down, to rescue her. Jane was imprisoned in her own “Red Room” the most of her life, she was closed to everybody and to love, until she escapes from the room to be happy and to do what she really wants – to be with Edward Rochester, her true and only love. The Red Room is the symbol of all Jane’s fears, insecurities and worries. Coming out of the Red Room is being happy and confident.

Conclusion: Both of the symbols of Helen Burns and the Red Room incident are crucial for the message which is delivered in Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eire” as they reveal the depth of Jane Eyre’s character and personality.