Fantastical Ideas and Gothic Tendencies in Jane Eyre Essay -- Jane Eyr

Fantastical Ideas and Gothic Tendencies in Jane Eyre The novel, Jane Eyre, is infused with fantastical ideas and gothic tendencies. The novel is an example of Bildungsroman heroine with the title character Jane maturing from childhood. We see her spiritual, psychological and social development. Through this development Bronte manages to join both fantastic elements with a more realistic structure by weaving in references to fairy tales, dreams, mythic imagery and plot twists. Fantasy is used by Bronte to inform the reader of any emotional subtexts in the novel. Jane's dreams are a good indication of her feelings and provide the reader with a window into her emotions. This use of fantasy plays a major role and it helps Jane's character develop as a Bildungsroman heroine because it highlights her emotional and spiritual journey. The fantastic symbolism and imagery used throughout the novel are as important to the narrative as the plot because it allows the reader to understand many emotions and true characteristics of the protagonists. The novel is littered with faintly gothic references to folklore, ghosts and sprites. The core of the story lies in Jane's descriptions of what goes on in her mind and it is here that we see Bronte's most imaginative and fantastic imagery. Jane imagines herself in a fairy tale. When she first encounters Rochester, Jane writes, "I remembered certain of Bessie's tales, wherein figured a North-of-England spirit called 'Gytrash', which, in the form of a horse, mule or large dog haunted solitary ways and sometimes came upon travellers as this horse was now coming upon me." Here, reality becomes distorted which reveals new truths about the characters and their surroundings.... ...out Jane, from fantasy to reality. Bronte uses fantasy with Jane's character to underline the distinction between childhood and adulthood. Jane tends to invert adult and children's values in the same way. The fact that Jane is still finds fairy tales scary, infers that she possesses a fanciful, girlish nature. The imagery used when she meets Rochester for the first time gives the reader an insight into her immaturity. It is not until later on that Jane sees Rochester's "beastliness". A more mature adult knows that humans can be a lot worse in reality and more frightening than any "monster" in a fairy tale. The feature of fantasy is a creative ploy, which Bronte uses to enhance the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. The reader is given further insight and understanding of relationships with the magical and mystical imagery and vocabulary.