On Gothic Characteristics in Jane Eyre

Abstract

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre is now a classic, widely read and studied book and is beloved by generations of readers. Jane Eyre has been perceived from different angels by critics through centuries. This thesis is to explore the gothic features in this masterpiece. The first part of the thesis is a brief introduction to the life and works of Charlotte Bronte as well as an introduction to the gothic traditions. The main body of the whole thesis focuses on the characteristics of the novel Jane Eyre: the typical gothic characters, the weird settings of gothic atmosphere and the theme involved with spirit, religion and super-natural power. Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre functioned as the hero and heroine of a gothic romance. Rochester the aristocratic owner of a castle which is at the same time his prison lived a lonely and gloomy life until Jane intrude in with her intelligence, individuality and love. Some minor characters are depicted as villains hindered on the hero and heroine's way to happiness. Bertha Manson, John Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst are some instance of evil characters in a gothic romance. Weird settings are the general scenes in gothic stories, Jane Eyre is no exception. In addition, spirit, religion and super-natural theme are discussed in this part. The last part is a conclusion of the thesis.