Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a novel that falls within the genre of gothic romance. Gothic romance is a genre that combines elements of horror and romance, often set in mysterious settings. In Jane Eyre, the gothic elements can be seen in the novel’s setting at the foreboding Thornfield Hall, the presence of the brooding and enigmatic Mr. Rochester, and the use of the supernatural.
The gothic blending of horror and romance is evident in the character of Mr. Rochester, who is both the object of Jane’s affection and a figure of terror due to his mad wife. As Mr. Rochester tells Jane, “I have a wife; she is mad; and sometimes, in her mad fit, she burns what she can lay her hands on” (Bronte). Bertha is described as a violent, animalistic creature: “The maniac bellowed: she parted the curtains and glared on me” (Bronte). This creates a sense of danger for Jane, as she is drawn to Mr. Rochester despite the potential threat. The horror of Mr. Rochester’s past and his relationship with Bertha add a layer of fear and mystery to the novel.
Moreover, the novel employs supernatural elements to add to the sense of mystery. Such is the case with the mysterious sounds produced by Bertha: “The last sound I expected to hear in so still a region, a laugh, struck my ear. It was a curious laugh” (Bronte). In another instance, Jane sees what is in her imagination a ghost: “The strange little figure there gazing at me … had the effect of a real spirit” (Bronte). Although the supernatural elements of the plot usually end up being explained, the use of the supernatural helps to create an atmosphere of suspense and unease as the characters, and the reader are left unsure of what is real and what is not.
The setting of Jane Eyre, Thornfield Hall, with its dark and imposing architecture, is a classic gothic setting. To Jane, to return to Thornfield is “to return to stagnation; to cross the silent hall, to ascend the darksome staircase, to seek my own lonely little room” (Bronte). The isolated location of the mansion, perched on the edge of the moors, adds to the feeling of danger. As Jane describes it, “From my seat I could look down on Thornfield: the grey and battlemented hall, the gates, the drive, the woods” (Bronte, Chapter 12). The dark and foreboding nature of Thornfield Hall serves to reflect the inner turmoil of the characters.
In conclusion, Jane Eyre is a novel that contains many features of gothic romance. The blending of horror and romance in the character of Mr. Rochester, the use of the supernatural, and the dark and mysterious setting of Thornfield Hall all contribute to the gothic atmosphere of the novel. The novel’s exploration of fear, love, and the supernatural makes it a timeless and enduring work of gothic literature.
Annotated Bibliography
Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Service & Paton, 1897. Project Gutenberg, Web.
Hirst, Holly. “The Gothic Romance.” The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Gothic, edited by C. Bloom, pp. 357–372. Palgrave Macmillan, 2020. Web.
In this chapter, Hirst examines the ways in which Gothic elements have been used in gothic romance novels such as Jane Eyre. She argues that Jane Eyre, in particular, has defined the conventions by which many gothic romance novels have been written since. Moreover, Hirst also discusses and dissects the juxtaposition of the gothic and romantic aspects of the genre, as well as its implications.
Sheerman, Lucy. “Place the Glass Before You, and Draw in Chalk Your Own Picture.” New Frontiers in Popular Romance: Essays on the Genre in the 21st Century, edited by Susan Fanetti, pp. 97-120. McFarland, 2022.
This essay by Lucy Sheerman mainly discusses the influence of Jane Eyre on modern gothic romance novels. The aim of the article is to explore Jane Eyre as a gothic romance novel and to compare it to modern works. Furthermore, the multiple ways in which Jane Eyre interacts with its readers are discussed, as are certain existing contradictions between its gothic and romantic aspects.
Sorian, Adina. “10. Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (1847).” Handbook of the English Novel, 1830–1900, edited by Martin Middeke, Gabriele Rippl, Hubert Zapf, pp. 205-220. De Gruyter, 2020.
Adina Sorian provides a thorough review of Jane Eyre, complete with the context that is necessary for understanding the novel. Besides the history of the conception of Jane Eyre, as well as a chronicle of its reception, Sorian also covers the themes and aesthetics. Among the prominent themes listed by Sorian are the identity of the heroine as well as the autobiographical character of the novel.