Imagery in Jane Eyre Essay

I will fetch you a candle, sir; and in Heavens name, get up. Somebody has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who and what it is.

-Jane Eyre, page 169

In the book Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Bronte uses a great deal of imagery to help the reader visualize her scenes. I chose this specific scene and quote because I believe the words Bronte uses are not only for visualization but to show a deeper meaning. This quote is Jane exclaiming to Rochester that there is a fire in his bed and he must get out. To describe the fire, Bronte describes it in a sexual and elusive way, Tongues of flame darted round the bed, (168). I think the wording tongues of flame is an interesting way to explain the fire since the fire has taken place on the bed where Rochester and his wife, Bertha, used to sleep. She also elaborates on the bed by explaining, the very sheets were kindling, (168). All these words show the imagery of the bed in a very sexual manor. This gives me the connotation of past relations on Rochesters bed with his past wives including Bertha. I believe the fire represented his past affairs going into flames and ending as his new flame saves him.

On that evening, Jane could sense that something was wrong. Her senses were correct when she realized a fire was taking place in Mr. Rochesters room, Something creaked; it was a door ajar, and that door was Mr. Rochesters, and the smoked rushed in a cloud from thence, (168). After realizing the fire, Jane rushed in to save Rochester. Unknowing of what or who caused this she knew that she had to put the flames out immediately, I rushed to his bason and ewer; fortunately, one was wide and the other deep, and both were filled with water. I heaved them up, deluged the bed and its occupant, flew back to my own room, brought my own water-jug, baptized the couch afresh, and by Gods aid, succeeded in extinguishing the flames which were devouring it, (168). Although Jane saved Rochesters life, I believe there is more to this situation and relationship. As the book continued, I began to realize Jane was saving Rochester from much more than just a fire, Jane had saved him from his past. Rochesters past was haunted by ex-wives and past relationships that had gone wrong. I think Rochester needed to find a fresh start and a new love, although, Rochester was still being haunted by an ex-wife, Bertha. I think Jane is his new fresh start and in her saving him, they both realized they needed each other. Jane in that moment had not only saved Rochesters life that night but she gave him a new flame to be drawn to.

A line that specifically sticks out to me from this quote is, I will fetch you a candle, sir. Jane speaks these words softly to Rochester after he is out of the fire safely. I think these lines show a larger meaning behind Janes words and actions. I find the idea of Jane getting Rochester a candle after he was just set on fire very compelling. This draws the question of how Bronte uses the word fire in the book. I believe she uses fire to symbolize the underlying feelings of emotion and lust in the book. In this instance, Jane is extinguishing the fire and saving Rochester which shows how she diminished his past burning desire and flame, Bertha. Jane quenched his flame with the water and offered to get another candle for him as soon as he was okay. In my mind this brings up the idea of Jane wanting to light a new flame for Rochester. I think Jane wants to be Rochesters new love and internal light and will do anything to get the chance to be with him.

Before Jane saved Rochester, she was awaken by a strange and harsh laugh, This was a demoniac laugh-low, suppressed, and deep-uttered as it seemed, at the very key-hole of my chamber-door, (168). As you continue to read on, you learn that the laugh came from Bertha. Bertha was the person who tried to kill Rochester in his bed. This brings up the idea of fire again in the book. I think this shows Berthas pent up emotions of lust for Rochester. I think Bertha still has strong feelings for Rochester and doesnt know how to deal with them. The idea for her to have Rochester with another woman I think is detrimental to her well-being. I think this act of violence is her way of showing how she feels about Rochester. I dont think she fully understands that Rochester is helping her by having care for her at the mansion, rather than boarding her at an asylum. This rash act was built up anger and emotion that Rochester does not take to heart. Jane explained to Rochester, Somebody has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who and what it is, (169) showing her concern to find how who had done this to him, but Rochester already knew who it was. Rochester knows how Bertha feels and cannot feel angry for her acts that she cannot fully control.

Over the course of the book the reader gets to watch Jane and Rochesters feelings grow and become a real relationship. I believe Jane and Rochesters feelings began to grow stronger and faster after Jane had saved him. After Jane saved him he exclaimed, There I am up now; but at your peril you fetch a candle yet: wait two minutes till I get into some dry garments, if any dry there be-yes, here is my dressing-gown, now run, (169). I think the line but at your peril you fetch a candle yet, shows a lot about Rochesters emotions. I think this shows his underlying feelings of interest in Jane. Again, this brings up the symbol fire, and how this particular quote shows Rochester wanting Janes flame. I interpret him asking for a new candle, as him asking for a new bond and mate. He already has lost his past wives and still has a current clandestine wife living in his mansion, but I think he is starting to feel lonesome until he realizes that he could be with Jane. I think that very line gives the reader just enough insight into Rochester deep down without letting Bronte giving away too much.

Bronte uses symbolization often in this book to represent primary issues. Fire was used quite often in the book in many various ways. I see fire as a way to see a new lens of emotion in the book. Other than fire being the main dilemma in the quote and scene, I will fetch you a candle, sir; and in Heavens name, get up. Somebody has plotted something: you cannot too soon find out who and what it is, Bronte uses it in many other ways. Bronte also uses fire to show emotion with intolerance, for example in this quote where Rochester is speaking to Jane on their wedding day, my brain is on fire with impatience; and you tarry so long, (321). Bronte also uses fire to show feelings and mood. There is a moment where Jane is feeling agitated and heated about a Mrs. Rochester, I am feverish, (308). Fire always seemed to come up from time to time in the book. Another very critical moment in the book was when Bertha had set Thornfield Hall on fire. Jane had learned of this lunatic act from a stranger she met. The stranger described it to be, she set fire first to the hangings of the room next her own; and then she got down to a lower story, and made her way to the chamber that had been the governesss, (475). Fire seemed like a main theme and cause over the course of the book. Fire was a main way to show emotion and feelings in specific actions.

Word Count: 1,359