jane eyre fire and ice essay

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Fire and ice [motifs].

• Fire and ice appear throughout  Jane Eyre . The former represents Jane’s passions, anger, and spirit, while the latter symbolizes the oppressive forces trying to extinguish Jane’s vitality. 
• Fire is also a metaphor for Jane, as the narrative repeatedly associates her with images of fire, brightness, and warmth. In Chapter 4, she likens her mind to “a ridge of lighted heath, alive, glancing, devouring.” 
• We can recognize Jane’s kindred spirits by their similar links to fire; thus we read of Rochester’s “flaming and flashing” eyes (Chapter 26). After he has been blinded, his face is compared to “a lamp quenched, waiting to be relit” (Chapter 37).
• Images of ice and cold, often appearing in association with barren landscapes or seascapes, symbolize emotional desolation, loneliness, or even death. 
• The “death-white realms” of the arctic that Bewick describes in his  History of British Birds parallel Jane’s physical and spiritual isolation at Gateshead (Chapter 1). 
• Lowood’s freezing temperatures—for example, the frozen pitchers of water that greet the girls each morning—mirror Jane’s sense of psychological exile. 
• After the interrupted wedding to Rochester, Jane describes her state of mind: “A Christmas frost had come at mid-summer: a white December storm had whirled over June; ice glazed the ripe apples, drifts crushed the blowing roses; on hay-field and corn-field lay a frozen shroud . . . and the woods, which twelve hours since waved leafy and fragrant as groves between the tropics, now spread, waste, wild, and white as pine-forests in wintry Norway. My hopes were all dead. . . .” (Chapter 26). 
• Finally, at Moor House, St. John’s frigidity and stiffness are established through comparisons with ice and cold rock. Jane writes: “By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind. . . . I fell under a freezing spell” (Chapter 34). 
• When St. John proposes marriage to Jane, she concludes that “[a]s his curate, his comrade, all would be right. . . . But as his wife—at his side always, and always restrained, and always checked—forced to keep the fire of my nature continually low, to compel it to burn inwardly and never utter a cry, though the imprisoned flame consumed vital after vital—this would be unendurable” (Chapter 34).

No comments:

Post a comment.

• study guides
• lesson plans
• homework help

Jane Eyre Essay | Essay

Fire and Ice

Which is more preferable: fire or ice? That would depend on the circumstances of which this question is being presented. It also depends on whom this question is being conferred upon as well. In this case, the "whom" is a young woman in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. The protagonist, Jane Eyre, faces this intriguing question of fire or ice. However, it is more complicated than that. The "fire" and "ice" merely acts as a symbolism for two main characters who hold these "elements" within their personalities: Edward Rochester (fire) and St. John Rivers (ice). The use of fire and ice in this novel serves to show Jane in a sort of intermediate position between the two men. Throughout the course of the novel the contrast between Edward Rochester and St. John Rivers becomes more eminent, putting forth the arduous decision of which man she should marry. She makes...

(read more)

FOLLOW BOOKRAGS:

EXPLORE OUR INTERACTIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS →

Themes in the Show

Fire & Ice

Fire – A Passionate Spirit

Jane has a zeal for life, a longing for experiences, and a deep passion for those she cares about. She’s one fiery woman – and it shows.  

Literally.  Fire plays an important role in the play – it has the power to embrace you with warmth and the power to destroy you in a blaze.  

Fire is pretty well known for representing passion, emotion, and intensity. It’s a handy metaphor!  

What do you think of when you think of fire? Where else have you seen this metaphor?  

Ice – Oppressive Forces

Just as fire shows up in many ways in Jane Eyre , so does ice .

The landscape and the winters can be harsh, but the people can be prickly and cold as an icicle, too. Another handy metaphor – and the direct opposite of fire.  

Think about iconic characters from TV or movies. Who would you describe as an Icy character?

Metaphors Explained!

Click here to watch a quick video about how metaphors shape the world

" Fire and Ice " is an important metaphor in the story. Let's look at a video that explains how metaphors work to shape the world.

These themes  appear in another iconic work by  Robert Frost .   Read through the poem as a group.  Which element – fire or ice – do you think is the most (metaphorically) destructive?  

Activity: A Poem of Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice

by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire, 

Some say in ice. 

From what I’ve tasted of desire 

I hold with those who favor fire. 

But if it had to perish twice, 

I think I know enough of hate 

To say that for destruction ice 

Is also great 

And would suffice. 

It's a Tough Call

Jane finds herself faced with impossible choices and dire situations. They carry heavy consequences - and Jane has to decide how to respond.

What would you do in Jane’s shoes? What factors in your life would influence your decisions?

Activity: For each situation in the slide show, have the class take sides - literally. Designate one part of the room as the first choice and another part as the second.

Decision Time

Let the debate begin - what would you do? And can you convince others to join your side...

Teachers - have fun with it! You get to decide the "what ifs"...

• Ask LitCharts AI
• Discussion Question Generator
• Essay Prompt Generator
• Quiz Question Generator

• Literature Guides
• Poetry Guides
• Shakespeare Translations
• Literary Terms

Charlotte Brontë

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

The Red-Room

The red-room symbolizes how society traps Jane by limiting her freedom due to her class, gender, and independent streak. read analysis of The Red-Room

Fire and Ice

Fire is a symbol of emotion in the novel. Mr. Rochester has a fiery personality, while St. John is associated with ice and snow, symbolizing his dispassionate character. Jane draws arctic scenes in her portfolio… read analysis of Fire and Ice

The eyes are the windows to the soul in Jane Eyre . Jane is especially attracted to Mr. Rochester's black and brilliant eyes, which symbolize his temper and power. After Mr. Rochester loses his eyesight… read analysis of Eyes

In Jane Eyre , food symbolizes generosity, nourishment, and bounty, and hunger symbolizes cruelty and a lack of nourishment. Brontë uses food and hunger to reveal how people treat each other—who is charitable, and who… read analysis of Food

Portraits and Pictures

Through dreams and drawings, Jane visualizes her deepest feelings. Jane's portfolio contains pictures that symbolize her life. Portraits can also stand in for people's characters. Jane compares her portraits of herself and Blanche Ingram … read analysis of Portraits and Pictures

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Jane Eyre — Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre” and “Wide Sargasso Sea”

Symbolism of Fire in "Jane Eyre" and "Wide Sargasso Sea"

• Categories: Jane Eyre Wide Sargasso Sea

About this sample

Words: 1609 |

Pages: 3.5 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1609 | Pages: 3.5 | 9 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1772 words

4.5 pages / 2131 words

2 pages / 927 words

3 pages / 1264 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Jane Eyre

“They are not fit to associate with me,” says young Jane Eyre of her rude, spoiled cousins who consider themselves above her.(29) In this simple quote lies all the facets of the young Jane: she is angry, passionate, and subtly – [...]

Fire is a powerful and captivating element that has been used as a symbol in literature for centuries. Its multifaceted nature allows authors to explore various themes and ideas through its symbolic representation. In this [...]

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, first published in 1847, remains a cornerstone of English literature, lauded for its intricate narrative and profound character development. One of the novel's most compelling literary [...]

In Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, the setting is the hot and colorful West Indies in post-colonial days. In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre the setting is murky gray England: the heart of the empire and Mr. Rochester’s home. [...]

Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre opens at dreary Gateshead Hall, where the orphaned title character is compelled to live with her wealthy aunt. Here the young Jane appears reserved and unusual, a girl who says she can be “happy at [...]

Charlotte Bronte wrote the victorian novel Jane Eyre with the intention to tell the story of how a seemingly mere governess, Jane Eyre, managed to challenge the notion of what a conventional woman during the victorian era was [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre”

Save to my list

Remove from my list

Works Cited

• Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Penguin, 2006.

The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre”. (2021, Apr 25). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay

"The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre”." StudyMoose , 25 Apr 2021, https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay

StudyMoose. (2021). The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre” . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay [Accessed: 11 Sep. 2024]

"The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre”." StudyMoose, Apr 25, 2021. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay

"The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre”," StudyMoose , 25-Apr-2021. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay. [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

StudyMoose. (2021). The Symbolism of Fire in “Jane Eyre” . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-symbolism-of-fire-in-jane-eyre-essay [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

• The Motifs of Fire and Ice in "Jane Eyre" Pages: 4 (999 words)
• Settings in Jane Eyre Reflect Jane's Character Progression Pages: 7 (1847 words)
• Female Protagonists:“Emma” by Jane Austen and “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë Pages: 4 (997 words)
• Reason vs. Passion in Jane Eyre Pages: 5 (1408 words)
• The passage from Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" Pages: 7 (1853 words)
• Feminism & Postcolonialism in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre Pages: 5 (1312 words)
• Painting Analysis in Jane Eyre Pages: 12 (3404 words)
• The Use of Heroes and Character Types in Jane Eyre Pages: 7 (2022 words)
• The Atmosphere in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights Pages: 14 (3960 words)
• How does Bronte present Hopes and Fears in Chapters 1-9 of Jane Eyre? Pages: 7 (1812 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2365 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11012 literature essays, 2782 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Wide Sargasso Sea

Fire: destruction and creation chloe mead.

Scorching flames, conflagration, burning. The imagery of fire has long been linked to power and passion. Fire can enact complete obliteration, and yet can also forge a new beginning where only scattered ashes of the past remain. The symbolic motif of fire figures prominently in many works of great literature, including Charlotte Brontë’s canonical Jane Eyre and Jean Rhys’s revised Wide Sargasso Sea. Fire actually functions conversely in these two novels, representing creation in Jane Eyre and symbolizing destruction in Wide Sargasso Sea. In this paper, I will analyze the fire set in Mr. Rochester’s bed in Jane Eyre and the burning of Coulibri in Wide Sargasso Sea, two key scenes centered schematically around the framework of fire. Despite serving seemingly opposing metaphorical capacities, both of these moments reveal key symbolic themes central to their respective plots.

Jane’s rescue of Rochester from his flaming bed contrasts supernatural, evil forces with the holy will of God, and highlights an interpretation of Jane as the sacred rescuer of Rochester from his tainted past. Rochester first views Jane as an elf, an otherworldly creature, represented here when his first response to her presence is to call her ‘witch, sorceress...

GradeSaver provides access to 2313 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 10989 literature essays, 2751 sample college application essays, 911 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Already a member? Log in

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Imagery of Fire and Water in Jane Eyre

Related Papers

O Período Vitoriano: Rastros literários e desdobramentos

Caroline Moura

Yuki Priliani Putri

ANGLISTICUM. Journal of the Association for Anglo-American Studies

Atour Michael

Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) is an English writer whose life has affected her writings especially in the story of Jane Eyre (1847). In this novel, we have a young woman who faces and then overcomes different obstacles in her journey to maturity and satisfaction. Charlotte in this novel depicts glances from her own and her sisters’ lives. This research deals with the symbolic nature of the story interpreted through the use of “dreams” and their significance as a tool used by the authoress to reveal the inner world of her heroine adding a depth to our understanding of the novel. The research is divided into two sections and a conclusion. Section one is an introductory section devoted to Charlotte Bronte the woman behind the image of Jane Eyre, and the reasons why this novel was a success. Section two covers the meaning and significance of Jane Eyre’s dreams. This section is divided into six parts each of which deals with one or more of the heroine’s dreams. The research ends with a co...

OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMAN AND NATURE IN CHARLOTTE BRONTE'S JANE EYRE

Yıldız Merve Öztürk

The first chapter of this study begins with a theoretical background. The first part of this chapter handles what ecofeminism is. In the second half of the first chapter, the study explores the issues of feminism in the nineteenth century. This part focuses on women’s roles, rights and their occupations in the Victorian period. Later, the study unveils the effects of the industrial revolution and capitalism on men, women and nature. In the second part of the dissertation, the effects of industrialization on the attitudes of men are examined. In this chapter, the work explores the construction of the male-dominated culture in the novel with the Industrial Revolution. Later this chapter analyzes the approach of men to women and nature in the novel, Jane Eyre, from an ecofeminist perspective. This part sheds light on the fact that being superior and dominant in the novel is the most important factor for men. The novel observes that men objectify women and nature in order to achieve authority. In the third chapter, the thesis focuses on how women and nature are conceptualized in the novel Jane Eyre. The study underlines that women and nature are conceptualized in similar ways. Women and nature are seen close to each other due to their reproduction, fertility and passivity in the social sphere. This fact creates a close relationship between woman and nature. Women know the real value of nature, and they are aware that nature ensures the continuity of life on earth. In return, nature becomes the companion of women; it supports women in difficult moments and meets their needs. Therefore, this chapter underlines that there is a powerful relationship between women and nature due to their existence as objects in the novel. As a result, this study analyses Charlotte Brontë 's Jane Eyre, from an ecofeminist perspective, and reveals that in the novel as a result of the industrial revolution men treat women and nature as objects and it creates a closeness between women and nature. Keywords: Ecofeminism, feminism, male-centrism, Victorian society, gender roles, the industrial revolution, Jane Eyre, exploitation of nature, discrimination against women, culture, nature.

Leila Gharbi (Researcher/English Teacher)

Keith A Jenkins

Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature

Aaron K . H . Ho

Novel: A Forum on Fiction

Peter Grudin

Juan Castro

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

Camila Ávila

Perspectivas

Carla Roman

Ishanthi Dissanayake

IJREAM Publishing House

EDITOR IJREAM

Ann Erskine

Cultural Intertexts

Alina Pintilii

Mark E Shapiro

Bahreldin Abaker

Helena Kelly

Natka J A N K O V A Alagjozovska

Isam Shihada

Arpita Sawhney

V. Gabriela Centeno

Journée d'étude : Agrégation d'anglais 2007

Xavier P . Lachazette

Patrick Fessenbecker

Lorraine Yang

DIGILEC Revista Internacional de Lenguas y Culturas

Noelia Galan

Noélia Borges

Kriangkrai Vathanalaoha

Critical Perspectives essays in nineteenth and twentieth centuries english literature

Valter H . de Castro Fritsch

Nineteenth-Century Fiction

Jennifer Gribble

The Explicator

Julia Miele Rodas

Khadijeh Safdarian

Bilal Hamamra

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• Available now!
• New eBook additions
• New kids additions
• New teen additions
• Most popular
• Always Available eBooks
• Available now
• AZ's Most Popular Audiobooks
• New Audiobooks
• Always Available Audiobooks
• Try something different
• Extremely Funny Audiobooks
• Kindle Books
• Always Available
• International Languages

Jane Eyre (SparkNotes)

Description.

What do you get when a group of Harvard Students creates study guides for the 21st century? Better grades. Not long ago our writers were acing their classes. Now they're loading SparkNotes with concise critical analysis that won't yellow with age. With SparkNotes you'll have an easier time understanding and enjoying great works of literature. SparkNotes -- the smarter, better, faster way to an "A." This SparkNote delivers knowledge on Jane Eyre that you won't find in other study guides: Summaries of every chapter with thorough Analysis. Explanation of the key Themes, Motifs, and Symbols including: —Love vs. Autonomy —Social Class —Fire and Ice —Substitute Mothers —Bertha Mason —The Red-Room Detailed Character Analysis of Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester, St. John Rivers and Helen Burns. Identification and discussion of Important Quotations. A summary of Key Facts, a 25-question review Quiz, and Study Questions and Essay Topics to help you prepare for papers and tests.

OverDrive Read

• ISBN: 1401404200
• Release date: April 17, 2002
• File size: 392 KB

OverDrive Read PDF ebook

Study Aids & Workbooks Nonfiction

Publisher: Barnes & Noble Digital

OverDrive Read ISBN: 1401404200 Release date: April 17, 2002

PDF ebook ISBN: 1401404200 File size: 392 KB Release date: April 17, 2002

• SparkNotes - Author
• Formats OverDrive Read PDF ebook
• Languages English

Why is availability limited?

Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again.

The Kindle Book format for this title is not supported on:

Read-along ebook.

The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser. Learn more here.

Recommendation limit reached

You've reached the maximum number of titles you can currently recommend for purchase.

Session expired

Your session has expired. Please sign in again so you can continue to borrow titles and access your Loans, Wish list, and Holds pages.

If you're still having trouble, follow these steps to sign in.

Add a library card to your account to borrow titles, place holds, and add titles to your wish list.

Have a card? Add it now to start borrowing from the collection.

The library card you previously added can't be used to complete this action. Please add your card again, or add a different card. If you receive an error message, please contact your library for help.