Questions tagged [charlotte-bronte]
Questions about the works of 19th-century English author Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) or about her life as a writer. She is most famous for her novel Jane Eyre.
12
questions
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
What are some sources Charlotte Brontë might have learned about physiognomy and phrenology from?
Charlotte Brontë frequently makes use of physiognomy and phrenology in describing her characters. Do we know of any sources where she might have learned about it? They would be interesting references ...
- 99
9
votes
2
answers
296
views
Did Charlotte Bronte expect the readers of "Jane Eyre" to know French?
In Jane Eyre, much of Adèle's dialogue is in French. I don't know French, but most of what Adèle says isn't particularly important, so I haven't had any trouble understanding or enjoying the book.
But ...
- 193
7
votes
1
answer
196
views
Meaning of dash and initial substitution in Charlotte Brontë's Villette
The usage of dashes to obscure personal/place names and dates in Victorian literature has been widely noted, but I don't feel that the reasons that are usually given help me understand this case. I'm ...
- 401
2
votes
2
answers
386
views
Why does Elaine Showalter compare Jane Eyre's being locked in a room to menarchal ceremonies?
I don't understand the part in italics. Is it saying that Jane's puberty was similar to the menarchal ceremony held by Eskimo and South Sea Island tribes?
Jane's ritual imprisonment here, and the ...
- 21
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How long had Bertha Mason been in the attic at the point of the events in Jane Eyre
I am trying to work out how long Bertha Mason had been locked up by the time we reach Thornfield in the story. This is part of an argument I am working for work and I haven't been able to find a ...
- 213
3
votes
1
answer
8k
views
What did Charlotte Brontë mean by "you would not be without friends”?
I lighted on this quote on BookRiot:
[Helen Burns] went on— “If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be ...
user175
5
votes
1
answer
165
views
Protagonist's comments on his student's essay in 'The Professor' by Charlotte Brontë
The protagonist in Charlotte Brontë's 'The Professor', who is employed as a teacher of English in a Belgian school, is surprised upon reading an unusually well-written creative essay by one of his ...
- 255
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Was Mr Edward Rochester mistaken in thinking Celine Varens was cheating on him?
I am currently reading Jane Eyre, the famous novel written by Charlotte Bronte. In his account of how he was cheated on by the opera-dancer Celine Varens, Rochester didn't really explain why he ...
- 41
5
votes
0
answers
245
views
Comparison of the portrayal of the female role in society between Jane Eyre and Tess?
I really can't get the differences of the female role in society and how they are seen by their families and by the society in general.
How can we compare the portrayal of the female role in society ...
5
votes
1
answer
821
views
How does Jane Eyre remember the German words Diana Rivers says?
When Jane is at Moor House looking in at the Rivers sisters reading German, she writes:
At a later day, I knew the language and the book; therefore, I will here quote the line: though when I first ...
- 53
28
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why are place names obscured in Charlotte Brontë's The Professor?
All place names in Charlotte Brontë's The Professor appear to be obscured. A few examples from the novel's first chapter:
That gentleman and Lord T. knew well enough that the Crimsworths were an ...
user8
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why is Jane Eyre considered a feminist figure?
Why was Jane Eyre considered a feminist figure in the context of the Victorian society? She was unable to fully liberate herself from the inherent patriarchy. She was strongly affected by marriage, ...
- 197