the red room Flashcards
Big idea for the red room 1
The red room is a significant symbol representing Jane’s isolation and her belief’s of not being wanted
Quotes and analysis for the Big idea:
The red room is a significant symbol representing Jane’s isolation and her belief’s of not being wanted
“This room was chill, because it seldom had a fire; it was silent because remote from the kitchen; solemn, because it was known to be seldom entered”
The room is a place of darkness and is rarely visited, perhaps representing attitudes towards passionate feelings and how they should be locked away and hidden. The use of the world solemn adds to the gothic tone of the scene reminding the reader this is where Mr Reed died. The idea that the room is “seldom” visited shows how the Reeds are deliberately isolating Jane from the rest of the family
Big idea 2
The red room has symbolic function, relating to anger and passion.
quote to support the big idea
The red room has symbolic function, relating to anger and passion.
“A bed supported on massive pillars of mahogany hung with curtains of deep re damask stood out like a tabernacle”
“The toilet- table, the chairs of darkly polished old mahogany”
The constant repeating idea of the redness of the room reminds the reader of Jane’s pent up fury caused by her treatment at the hands of the Reeds. The idea that the room has “massive pillars” emphasises Jane’s physical inferiority. This reminds the reader of Jane’s low social class and her position in the household
Big idea 3
the events at the red room eludes at the theme of appearance vs reality. It further sets Jane out as a supernatural being that is different to those around her.
quotes to support the big idea
the events at the red room eludes at the theme of appearance vs reality. It further sets Jane out as a supernatural being that is different to those around her.
“All looked colder and darker in the visionary hollow than in reality and the strange little figure there gazing at me, with a white face and arms specking the gloom, and glittering eyes of fear moving where all else was still had an effect of a real spirit”
Jane comparing herself to a mythical creature reminds the importance of imagination plays in her life as an escape form reality. Furthermore, not only is Jane undefined, almost mystical creature, but the narrative she creates crosses boundaries mixing realism and fantasy, perhaps this is a way Bronte makes Jane different from the Reeds and further eludes to her ambiguous social status.
how does the red room creates parallels between Bertha and Jane
Similarly, Bertha is imprisoned in Rochester’s attic both are isolated from the outside world due to their anger and passionate. However, the difference between Bertha and Jane is that Jane seemingly can form rational thoughts while Bertha is simply a mad woman. Furthermore, perhaps the red room represents how society traps Jane and Bertha by limiting both of their freedom due to her class, gender and independent streak
