Shades of Colorful Descriptions, the Prevalent Mood,

¶ … shades of colorful descriptions, the prevalent mood, characters of Jane and Rochester as portrayed by the author as well as the use of language and image patterns in the novel Jane Eyre penned down by the popular author of the Victorian and the contemporary age, Charlotte Bronte. The Works Cited appends one source in MLA format.

Jane Eyre, the masterpiece by Charlotte Bronte conveniently made it to the victory stand and tops the list of some of the world's best literary works because of the skillful blending of various themes and several thought-provoking issues enveloped in the novel. It follows the rules of the Gothic literature and the intense mythic quality of Jane Eyre differentiates it from the modern literary text. Jane Eyre is no doubt a Victorian Novel, addressing the norms of the Victorian society, the societal pressures compelling women to remain suppressive and inducing chauvinistic attitude in men and the general melodramatic mood that again provides inkling to its readers that the novel depicts the typical Victorian age. Nonetheless, the novel does share and reflect some of the qualities of the modern fictional writing, for instance the use of metaphorical and symbolic language as well as the romantic and the feminist streak. However, the religious theme that dominates the overall thematic element of Jane Eyre provides little room for any confusion or doubt. Religion is one of the major themes used by the author and its presence is evident when we closely analyze the various characters. As Helen comments on the significance of religion and the solace that it offers: "I rely implicitly on his power and confide wholly in his goodness; I count the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall restore me to him, reveal him to me" (p. 82). This theme shows the real difference between the novels belonging to the Victorian Age like Jane Eyre and contemporary literary pieces of writing where religion has no role to play in the lives of the imaginary characters. Jane, Charlotte Bronte's protagonist, also displays adherence to her religious beliefs when she prefers religion to love, another dominant theme. Throughout the novel, Jane appears to be a in a constant struggle taking place within her own self while weighing the pros and cons of opting for the position of Rochester's mistress or not which is evident when she says: "[who in the world cares for you? Or who will be injured by what you do?'," but then reminds herself of her religious convictions. While her moralistic side overpowers her other half, she tells herself: "I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God...'" (XXVII: 279). Hence, unlike a woman of today's world, she could not enjoy complete sexual liberty as well as individuality due to the rituals of the Victorian times when education was not common and was considered as the sole right of the elite class.

Charlotte beautifully explains Jane's hardships that she experiences once she leaves Mr. Rochester. Her life takes on a miserable and a highly convoluted path leading her to phases of murkiness, dejection and rejection when she finally decides to re-join the affectionate company of Mr. Rochester. Nonetheless, Jane's strength of character and her ability to withstand the vicissitudes are worth appreciation.

Though the general mood of the novel is gloomy and depressive, the author keeps the readers extremely engrossed in the fictional reading because of the well organized leading events and the use of poetic lyrics that help the readers to hear the harmony and discordance within Mr. Rochester's character. This also reflects Charlotte Bronte's art to use imagery and metaphorical language. Jane Eyre is rich in symbolic language and the author makes use of ruthless winters and heated summers to indicate and explain the intensity and the nature of incidences that marked the roller coaster ride experienced by Jane due to various ups and downs of her life. Furthermore, Bronte uses the images of fire and water. Purifying and intense fire to depict the passions flourishing within Jane and Mr. Rochester, destructive fire in the case of Bertha and icy water to reflect the coldness of St. John's character and the emotional distance that Jane wanted to maintain with him.

Another element that adds to the effectiveness of the overall melancholic disposition of the novel's setting is the presence of unusual laughter that keeps the reader engaged and on which Jane comments in the following words: "This was a demoniac laugh -- low, suppressed, and deep -- uttered, as it seemed, at the very keyhole of my chamber door. The head of my bed was near the door, and I thought at first the goblin-laugher stood at my bedside -- or rather, crouched by my pillow: but I rose, looked round, and could see nothing; while, as I still gazed, the unnatural sound was reiterated: and I knew it came from behind the panels." (15: 33)