Nature In Bronte's Jane Eyre

Bronte 's Jane Eyre transcends the genres of literature to depict the emotional and character development of its protagonist. Although no overall genre dominates the novel exclusively, the vivid use of setting contributes towards the portrayal of Bronte’s bildungsroman (Realisms, 92) and defines the protagonist’s struggles as she grapples with her inner-self, and the social expectations of her gender.

The novel incorporates Jane’s frequent conflicts, oppression, isolation and self-examination as she defends her identity and independence. Set amongst five separate locations, Bronte’s skilful use of literal and metaphorical landscapes, nature, and imagery, skilfully intertwines with the plot and denotes each phrase of her maturity. To deliberate

The passage declares that ‘the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre and a rain so penetrating’ (Bronte, Jane Eyre, [1847] 2000, 1.1, all subsequent page references are to this edition). Immediately, the reader senses that weather and nature are reflections of Jane’s inner state of mind, and that despite being inside, she feels cold, alienated and oppressed, and is both physically and psychologically, imprisoned. While the winter scene is picturesque, Jane is as cold physically as her aunt and cousins are mentally and emotionally. Bronte describes her heroine’s situation, ‘clear panes of glass protecting, but not separating’ her from the cold and windy November afternoon (1, 1, p.8). Thus, illustrating that despite the wealth of her family, she is an outsider, alienated and banished from joining them around the warmth of the hearth (Realisms,

Already we have a contradiction. Jane is like a bird, she longs to fly away, but she is not beautiful she is plain and bleak, and feels trapped like a caged bird. These grim images virtually turn the vision of Victorian bird imagery upside down revealing that Jane is not a traditional Victorian woman, and these bird images depict the affinity Jane has with birds and the conviction to be free once she finds the strength and bravery she needs to take flight on her own. Throughout the story, Jane experiences ‘a rushing of wings’ (17) this ephemeral visitation recurs throughout the novel, which signifies a major change in Jane’s