Autobiographical Fiction Flashcards
(20 cards)
Q: How does Charlotte Brontë create the illusion of autobiography in Jane Eyre?
A: By using first-person narration, direct addresses to the reader (e.g., “Reader, I married him”), and a retrospective structure where an older Jane reflects on her life. 
Q: What literary device is used in Chapter 11: “This time, reader, you must fancy you see a room…”?
A: Direct address, which enhances the autobiographical tone and creates intimacy with the reader.
Q: What are the five key settings in Jane Eyre, and what do they represent?
- Gateshead – Childhood oppression and rejection.
- Lowood – Education and moral development.
- Thornfield – Love, passion, and self-worth.
- Moor House – Family, independence, and self-discovery.
- Ferndean – Equality and fulfillment.
Q: What theme is reinforced through the contrast between Blanche and Jane?
A: That true love should be based on equality and sincerity, not wealth or social status
Q: How do departures and arrivals in the novel emphasize Jane’s personal growth?
A: They dramatize her physical and emotional journey, marking transitions in her development and independence.
Q: How does Blanche Ingram serve as a foil to Jane Eyre?
A: Blanche is aristocratic, beautiful, and materialistic, highlighting Jane’s humility, moral integrity, and depth of character.
Q: In what ways is Bertha Mason an antithesis to Jane Eyre?
. A: Bertha embodies uncontrolled passion and madness, while Jane represents restraint and moral fortitude
Q: What parallels exist between Jane and Bertha?
A: Both are marginalized women who resist control—Bertha through rebellion, Jane through moral choices.
Q: What does the splitting of the chestnut tree symbolize?
A: It foreshadows Jane and Rochester’s separation, representing the sudden and painful disruption in their relationship.
Q: What is the significance of the “veiled figure” Jane sees in Chapter 26?
A: It symbolizes her fear of losing identity in marriage, paralleling Bertha’s loss of self.
Q: What moral dilemma does Jane face upon discovering Bertha?
A: Choosing between staying with Rochester and compromising her self-respect or leaving to maintain her moral integrity.
Q: How does Jane’s time at Moor House contribute to her personal growth?
A: She gains financial independence and a sense of belonging, enabling her to return to Rochester as an equal.
Q: How does Jane Eyre reflect Charlotte Brontë’s own experiences?
A: Through themes of independence, moral integrity, and the struggle for self-respect in a restrictive society.
Q: What is the central message of Jane’s journey?
A: That true fulfillment comes from self-respect, equality in relationships, and staying true to one’s principles.
- Quote that shows Jane’s direct address to the reader:
Answer: “Reader, I married him.”
• Analysis: This famous line breaks the fourth wall, creating intimacy and reinforcing the autobiographical tone of the novel.
- Quote that shows Jane’s commitment to self-respect over love:
• Answer: “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” (Chapter 27)
• Analysis: Jane emphasizes her moral integrity, choosing self-respect over a relationship that compromises her values.
- Quote that shows Jane’s painful departure from her past:
• Answer: “Thus I was severed from Bessie and Gateshead; thus whirled away to unknown.” (Chapter 5)
• Analysis: The word “severed” indicates a violent break, while “whirled” suggests a lack of control, highlighting the emotional turmoil of her departure.
- Quote that shows Jane’s fear of losing her identity in marriage:
• Answer: “I saw a robed and veiled figure so unlike my usual self that it seemed almost the image of a stranger.” (Chapter 26)
• Analysis: The “veiled figure” symbolizes Jane’s apprehension about losing her individuality within the confines of marriage.
- Quote that foreshadows Jane and Rochester’s separation:
• Answer: “The great horse-chestnut at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by lightning in the night and half of it split away.” (Chapter 23)
• Analysis: The splitting of the tree symbolizes the impending separation between Jane and Rochester due to unforeseen revelations.
- Quote that shows Jane’s assertion of independence:
• Answer: “I told you I am independent, sir, as well as rich: I am my own mistress.” (Chapter 37)
• Analysis: Jane declares her financial and personal independence, emphasizing her autonomy and equality in the relationship.
