Jane Eyre Group

Question:

ahlem
ahlem
Student
College - Junior

What kind of language is used in Jane Eyre, chapter 25?

 

Rate question:

Posted by ahlem on Friday October 9, 2009 at 4:10 AM and tagged with jane eyre, jane eyre.

Answers:

  1. mrmdkunkel
    mrmdkunkel Teacher
    Middle School

    I believe she is taking German lessons but is later asked to give them up and learn Hindustani, the language St. John is studying in preparation for his missionary work.

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mrmdkunkel on Friday October 9, 2009 at 7:32 PM


  2. egraham17 Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    This chapter, as throughout the novel, is full of imagery and figurative language. One exemplary moment is Jane's realization of the shattered chestnut tree:

    “It stood up, black and riven: the trunk, split down the center, gasped ghastly. The cloven halves were not broken from each other, for the firm base and strong roots kept them unsundered below; though community of vitality was destroyed—the sap could flow no more: their great boughs on each side were dead, and next winter’s tempests would be sure to fell one or both to earth; as yet, however they might be said to form one tree—a ruin, but an entire ruin.”

    This description is rich with visual imagery, & Bronte's attention to detail is striking. She's also using metaphor and symbolism here, with the tree representing Rochester and Jane's relationship. They are connected as one through their love, yet cleaved in half by the secret Jane does not yet know. This is an example of the pathetic fallacy, in which the natural world reflects the personalities and emotions of the characters.

    This chapter is also marked by language blurring the line between fantasy and reality. Jane's dreams figure prominently in her decisions, and inform her perceptions of her waking world as well. Thus her narrative takes on a dream-like quality through Bronte's language.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/jane-eyre/chapters-23-25-summary-an...
    http://www.enotes.com/jane-eyre/style

    Rate answer:

    Posted by egraham17 on Saturday October 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM