Lecture Notes: Themes in "Jane Eyre" by SparkNotes

Key Themes in "Jane Eyre"

Love Versus Autonomy

• Central quest for love, both romantic and platonic.
• Jane seeks genuine affection without sacrificing personal integrity and autonomy.
• Rejects Rochester's initial proposal due to his legal ties to Bertha Mason.
• Achieves balance through independence at Moor House, leading to an equal marriage with Rochester.

Religion

• Jane interacts with three religious figures: Mr. Brocklehurst, Helen Burns, and St. John Rivers.
• Brocklehurst represents hypocrisy and oppressive Evangelicalism.
• Helen's passive Christianity is admired but not adopted by Jane.
• St. John offers a rigid, self-sacrificial approach to religion.
• Jane rejects these models, balancing spirituality without oppression.

Social Class

• Critique of Victorian social hierarchy.
• Jane's ambiguous class status as a governess creates tension.
• Despite education and manners, she is treated as a servant.
• Marries Rochester as an equal after gaining her inheritance.

Gender Relations

• Jane fights patriarchal domination and seeks gender equality.
• Struggles against figures like Brocklehurst, Rochester, and St. John Rivers.
• Emphasizes women's need for equality in opportunities and self-expression.

Home and Belonging

• Jane's idea of home is linked to usefulness and emotional connections.
• Feels alienated at Gateshead and Lowood due to lack of belonging or purpose.
• Thornfield represents deep emotional connection with Rochester.
• Ultimately finds belonging through mutual dependence with Rochester.

Anxiety and Uncertainty

• Gothic elements highlight Jane's fears and uncertainties.
• Supernatural imagery, like the red-room, suggests internal and external conflicts.
• Bertha Mason symbolizes Jane's fears regarding societal norms and marriage.

Conclusion

• "Jane Eyre" explores universal themes of love, religion, social class, gender, home, and personal autonomy.
• These themes are interwoven into Jane's journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment.