Chloe Adams
Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel 'Jane Eyre' is a Gothic romance novel with a coming-of-age theme, following the orphaned protagonist, Jane, as she grows up and navigates various settings and social dynamics. One of the novel's most prominent symbols is the candle, which goes out in a pivotal moment, foreshadowing the darkness and challenges that Jane will face at Thornfield. This event signifies a turning point in the narrative, marking the beginning of a descent into the gothic and mysterious elements that define the novel's atmosphere. The candle also foreshadows the presence of fire as a significant force and symbol within the narrative, representing both passion and destruction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle burning out | Foreshadowing that Jane is about to be plunged into darkness by her life at Thornfield |
| Signalling that Jane is about to enter the dark heart of the novel | |
| Indicating that fire will be an important force at Thornfield | |
| Fire | Symbol of emotion, passion, destruction, and danger |
| Symbol of love and hate | |
| Birds | Symbol of freedom and independence |
| Symbol of social class division | |
| The moon | Symbol of important change and the maternal spirit |
| The red room | Symbol of terror, imprisonment, and being trapped by society |
| Bertha | Symbol of the "trapped" Victorian wife |
| Symbol of Britain's fear of other cultures during imperialism | |
| Manifestation of Jane's subconscious feelings and rage against oppressive social and gender norms |
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What You'll Learn
- The candle going out signals Jane is about to enter the dark heart of the novel
- The candle foreshadows that fire will be an important force at Thornfield
- The candle burning out may be a coincidence or artistic license to create suspense
- The candle foreshadows Jane's hopes being extinguished by her circumstances
- The candle going out signals the reader to pay attention to how Jane deals with haunting and horror
The candle going out signals Jane is about to enter the dark heart of the novel
In Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, the eponymous protagonist's journey is marked by several symbols and motifs. One of the most notable symbols is the candle, which goes out at a pivotal moment in the narrative, foreshadowing a significant shift in the plot and tone of the story.
The candle going out signals that Jane is about to enter the dark heart of the novel. This moment occurs in Chapter 10 when Jane receives a response to her governess advertisement. As she is reading it, the candle suddenly goes out, casting her into darkness. This dramatic event serves as a metaphor for the troubling times that lie ahead for Jane at Thornfield. It foreshadows how her hopes and dreams will be extinguished by the haunting and horrifying experiences she will soon encounter.
The candle's extinguishment is a powerful literary device, creating a sense of foreboding and signalling a turning point in the novel. It is a warning to the reader that the story is about to take a darker turn, and they should prepare for the challenges and mysteries that Jane will face. The candle also foreshadows the significance of fire at Thornfield. Fire is a recurring motif in the novel, often associated with Bertha Mason, whose actions and emotions are closely linked to it. Bertha sets Rochester's clothes on fire in Chapter 15, and eventually, she burns down Thornfield, killing herself and injuring Rochester.
The candle going out also reflects Jane's naïveté at this point in the story. The younger Jane does not yet comprehend the signs of impending misfortune, which are clear to the reader. This creates suspense and encourages the reader to pay close attention to how Jane navigates the darkness and horror that lie ahead.
In conclusion, the candle going out is a pivotal moment in Jane Eyre, marking the point at which the novel takes a darker turn. It foreshadows the challenges and mysteries that Jane will encounter, including the significant role of fire and Bertha Mason in the narrative. This literary device adds depth to the story, enhancing the Gothic romance elements that have made Jane Eyre a classic.
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The candle foreshadows that fire will be an important force at Thornfield
In Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, a candle burning out signifies the moment when Jane receives a response to her governess advertisement. This candle foreshadows that fire will be an important force at Thornfield.
The candle going out signals that Jane is about to enter the darkest part of the novel, and foreshadows the literal and metaphorical fires that will consume Thornfield. The candle burning out also foreshadows the extinguishing of Jane's hopes, as they often have been by her circumstances.
In the novel, fire is used as a symbol of Jane's intense passion, and as a force of destruction in the hands of Bertha Mason. Bertha, the first Mrs Rochester, is a complex presence in the novel, catalysing Jane's self-understanding and serving as a remnant of Rochester's youthful libertinism. Bertha's insanity could also serve as a warning to Jane of what complete surrender to Rochester could bring about.
Fire is used as a comparison for Jane's passionate nature, with Jane describing herself as "a ridge of lighted heath, alive, glancing, devouring… [the] emblem of my mind". Bertha, too, is associated with fire, and she commits two acts of arson within the novel. In the first instance, she sets Rochester's bedclothes on fire, and Jane douses the flames. In the second, Bertha burns Thornfield down, killing herself and injuring Rochester.
The candle burning out foreshadows these moments of fire and passion, and the destruction that will come to Thornfield.
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The candle burning out may be a coincidence or artistic license to create suspense
In Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel Jane Eyre, the candle burning out may be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that it signifies a pivotal moment in the narrative, marking the point where Jane is about to enter the darkest chapter of her life at Thornfield. The extinguished candle foreshadows the impending extinguishing of Jane's hopes and dreams, mirroring her circumstances up to that point. This interpretation adds suspense, as readers anticipate the challenges Jane will face.
However, it is worth considering that the candle burning out may be a coincidence or a creative device employed by the narrator to heighten the narrative's suspense. In reality, the candle may not have dramatically burnt out as described. The narrator's retrospective perspective could have embellished this detail to create a sense of foreboding for the reader.
The candle's extinguishment also foreshadows the significance of fire throughout the novel. Fire is a recurring motif, associated with both Jane and Bertha. For Jane, fire symbolises her intense passion and inner spirit. She describes herself as "a ridge of lighted heath, alive, glancing, devouring... [the] emblem of my mind," reflecting her passionate and unpredictable nature. On the other hand, fire in Bertha's hands represents destruction. Bertha sets Rochester's clothes on fire, and later, her arson results in the burning down of Thornfield.
The candle burning out could also be interpreted as a symbol of Jane's naïveté. At that moment in the narrative, the younger version of Jane seems unable to interpret the signs of impending misfortune, which are apparent to the reader. This interpretation adds depth to the narrative, as readers witness Jane's growth and increasing self-awareness throughout the novel.
Overall, the candle burning out in Jane Eyre serves multiple narrative purposes. It foreshadows pivotal moments in the plot, adds suspense, and symbolises the complex dynamics between the characters and their internal struggles.
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The candle foreshadows Jane's hopes being extinguished by her circumstances
In Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel Jane Eyre, a candle burning out in Chapter 10 foreshadows the extinguishing of Jane's hopes by her circumstances. As Jane reads a response to her governess advertisement, the candle goes out, casting her into darkness. This moment signifies that Jane is about to enter the darkest part of the novel, where her dreams and expectations will be repeatedly dashed.
The candle's extinguishment is a dramatic device, signalling to the reader that Jane's optimistic fantasies about Thornfield are misguided. Her hopes are, once again, about to be "extinguished" by her situation, just as they have been throughout her life. Jane's childhood is marked by abuse and mistreatment at the hands of her aunt and cousins, and she is confined to the "red room", a place of terror and imprisonment, as punishment. This early trauma sets the tone for Jane's life, where her hopes for love, acceptance, and freedom are continually thwarted.
As the novel progresses, Jane's social mobility remains limited, and she continues to face social ostracisation and financial constraints. Her budding romance with Mr. Rochester, which represents a potential escape, is complicated by the existence of Bertha Mason, his wife. Bertha, a complex character in her own right, serves as a reminder of Rochester's past and a warning of the entrapment Jane fears. The fire set by Bertha that nearly kills Rochester is another instance where Jane's hopes are quite literally threatened with destruction.
The candle also foreshadows the role of fire throughout the novel. Fire is a significant symbol, representing both Jane's passionate nature and the destructive forces that threaten her happiness. Bertha, who is often interpreted as a manifestation of Jane's subconscious rage, uses fire as a tool of destruction, burning down Thornfield and ultimately killing herself.
Overall, the candle burning out in Chapter 10 is a powerful omen, foreshadowing the repeated extinguishing of Jane's hopes and dreams by the dark and challenging circumstances she must navigate throughout the novel.
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The candle going out signals the reader to pay attention to how Jane deals with haunting and horror
In Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel, 'Jane Eyre', the eponymous protagonist's journey is marked by several symbols, such as birds, the moon, and the red room. Another important symbol is the candle, which goes out in Chapter 10 as Jane fantasises about Thornfield and reads a response to her governess advertisement. This event signals to the reader that they ought to pay attention to how Jane navigates the haunting and horror that lie ahead.
The candle going out is a foreboding sign, foreshadowing that Jane's hopes and dreams are about to be extinguished as she enters the dark heart of the novel. Thornfield, a manor house full of secrets and ill-gotten wealth, is practically cursed and sets the stage for the gothic themes of the novel. As Jane's life at Thornfield unfolds, she encounters Bertha Mason, whose presence serves as a reminder of Rochester's past and a warning to Jane of the potential consequences of surrendering her independence.
Bertha, with her hatred for Jane and Rochester, becomes a symbol of destruction, often associated with fire. Bertha sets Rochester's clothes on fire in Chapter 15, and eventually burns down Thornfield, killing herself and injuring Rochester. Fire is used as a comparison for Jane's intense passion and inner spirit, but it also represents the danger and destruction that can arise from unexpressed emotions.
Throughout the novel, Jane must confront and overcome her feelings of imprisonment and social ostracisation, navigating the haunting and horror signalled by the extinguished candle. The candle going out serves as a pivotal moment, marking the point at which Jane's life takes a darker turn and setting the tone for the challenges she will face in her quest for freedom, happiness, and a sense of belonging.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle in Jane Eyre signifies the impending darkness and horror that Jane is about to face at Thornfield. It foreshadows the fire that will eventually burn down the entire house, set by Bertha.
Fire is a symbol of emotion, passion, destruction, and danger in the novel. It is used to describe Jane's intense passion and inner spirit.
The moon symbolizes moments of important change in Jane's life. It is mentioned whenever something significant happens, such as when Jane moves to a new place or meets a new important character.
The red room is a symbol of terror, imprisonment, and Jane's struggle to find freedom, happiness, and a sense of belonging. It represents the feeling of being trapped by society due to her status as an orphan and a female.
Bertha can be seen as a symbol of the "trapped" Victorian wife, a manifestation of Jane's subconscious feelings, and a reminder of Rochester's youthful libertinism. She also serves as a warning to Jane of the potential consequences of complete surrender to Rochester.
