Structure Language and Form, Jane Eyre

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Tightly constructed - dictated by Jane's growing up

coincidence - typical of fairy stories

deeply felt, genuine, sincere

Jane's Role in the STRUCTURE:

- structure = deceptively organic and free-flowing

- lacks traditional moral framework - radical departure from typicality

- structural unity = Jane - theme of growing up/peronal growth/development

- roughly 5 phases - 5 settings (do not quite correspond with three volumes of original edition)

at end of each phase she moves on to next stage of development

structure is suggestive of growth - shows reader how Jane develops

Repetition and Parallels:

flight from Rochester and flight from St John

alternative to more linear 5-part structure

 thematic structure - Jane-Rivers contrasts Jane-Rochester

see exactly what's at stake for Jane

symbolises aspects of her self

FORM:

Narrative and POV - narrative focuses on Jane entirely

Events only appear because of their impact on Jane

plot and character are foreshadowed

reliable narrator?

fictional autobiography - first person narrative - high degree of authenticity

close bond between narrator and reader - close involvement

direct appeals to the reader at moments of high intensity/action 'Reader, I...'

Bildungsroman - 'coming of age'

Gothic and Supernatural elements - reflected in passionate nature and rebellion against gendered norms and social conventions

also a romance - not as conventional as last chapter seems - dwells on potential death of St John in closing lines

aspects of a quest narrative - fairy-tale coincidences

adapts established forms

LANGUAGE:

names - Eyre - historic family with a madwoman - free as air - Ariel - eagles' eyrie

Reed - pliability

Rivers - strong currents and…

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