the importance of names

Question 1

what does the name Jane suggest

Answer 1

Jane
has connotations with ‘plain Jane’ her simple forename emphasizes the difference between Jane and the well-bred ladies of the novel
The plain name also brings up ideas of speaking plainly which is what she does throughout the book on multiple of occasions

Question 2

what does the name Eyre suggest

Answer 2

Eyre

it is a homophone of heir. Foreshadowing how Jane will inherit a sum of money. She is the rightful heir to it

connotations with the world air. Jane is shown to drift form place to place in the world. Throughout the novel Mr R calls Jane a fairy, a sprite conveying the idea that Jan is petite and a slip of a girl. This add to the otherworldly imagery associated with Jane and therefore emphasizes her position as a free spirit who is difficult to catch and hold down ‘I am no caged bird no net will ensnare me’

Question 3

what does the name Gateshead suggest and why is Gateshead important

Answer 3

Gateshead

symbolises the beginning in Jane’s life, the gate way from which she leaves her famiy and heads off to her future

At the end of the Gateshead chapters we learn the next stage in Jane’s development to control her emotions

Question 4

what does the name Lowood suggest and why is Lowood important

Answer 4

Lowood

SymboliclyLowood represent a low point in Jane’s life

Here, Jane learns to become her emotions through strong, positive and female role models Miss Temple and Helen Burns.

Soon, Jane becomes restless and then ventures into the outer world

Question 5

what does the name Thornfield suggest and why is Thornfield important

Answer 5

Thornfield

is full of difficulties and trials like a field full of thorns. The name further suggests her struggles with jealously towards Blanche Ingram and her temptation to be Mr R’s mistress

Furthermore, at Thornfield a strange mystery unfolds increasing a sense of threat and alarm that the name suggests

Question 6

what does the name Moorhouse suggest and why is Moorhouse important

Answer 6

Moorhouse

The vast open space of the moor symbolises the space that Jane needs to heal.

When Jane is in the wilderness in the moors this symbolises her:
mental and physical difficulties
lack of direction in life

Moorhouse is also called marsh end signifying the end of Jane’s struggles

Before Jane arrives at Moorhouse the coach drops her off at Whitecross crossroads. This shows how Jane is at crossroads in her life and needs to make decisions soon

Question 7

what does the name Ferndean suggest and why is Ferndean important

Answer 7

Ferndean

Ferns which are in the woods. This emphasizes the isolation of the manor house which is described with imagery of death, illness and decay..
The location of the manor house is so detrimental to health Mr R even states in the novel that he would not even send Berta there. This shows Mr R’s emotional and physical state and implies how he essentially went to Ferndean to die