Chapter 8

Summary:

Following Jane's public humiliation concerning the accusation of deceitfulness , chapter eight begins with a melodramatic reaction to the events from the previous chapter. She fears she has no friends and that no ojn ewill talk to her. She is soon proven wrong as Helen proceeds to comfort her. They are then invited to have tea with Miss Temple. The chapter ends with Jane's name cleared.



Characters:

There are no new characters introduced in chapter eight, however much development can be seen with the already existing characters.

We learn more of Helen's character- we discover that she is loyal and kind, not only does she continue to be friendly towards Jane after hearing the accusations made against her but Helen comforts her, assuring Jane that her reputation is not damaged. Helen's advice is wise for so young a person. Helen's wisdom and compassion demonstrated in chapter eight prove to the reader Jane's good judge of character. Helen proves to be a good friend, unafraid to constructively criticize Jane.

Mr Brocklehurst's character is ridiculed by Helen. "He is little liked here" is said in an attempt to reassure Jane. His character is developed as an unpopular and pitiless man.

Miss Temple whom Jane already admires is shown to be a fair woman. Her willingness to hear demonstrates this. Jane Miss Temple's late night meeting with Helen and Jane show her to be a reasonable woman who is kind and caring.

Miss Scatchard continues to persecute Helen showing her to be an unjust person.

Mr Lloyd re-enters the story and reaffirms Jane's claims. Again helping Jane's unfortunate situation. Mr Lloyd remains to be a man of integrity his kindness and caring nature is developed in chapter eight

Jane's character continues to develop. The reader has further proof of her insecurities as shown by her dependence on her friend Helen; "Helen Burns was not here, nothing sustained me" and her belief that all of Lowood believes her to be liar. It becomes obvious that Jane is desperate for affection; "…if others don't love me I would rather die than live- I cannot bear to be solitary and hated"

Jane regards physical pain as insignificant in comparison with emotional pain, as she compares the pain of both and finds emotional anguish to be more difficult to face. Chapter eight shows Jane's character through the eyes of another, Jane's friend Helen Burns. This analysis of Jane from Helen's opinion is interesting to read. Helen describes Jane as feeble, vehement and impulsive.


Narrative Voice:

Incredibly over embellished and over emotional 'overwhelming was the grief that seized me' – regarding Mr Brocklehursts slander
The description of Miss Temples apartments becomes far more embellished once Janes emotions are soothed- from 'it contained a good fire and looked cheerful' to 'We feasted that evening as on nectar and ambrosia'
Always over embellished as seen by the child Janes eyes of her emotional context- goes from overly dramatic woes to utter awe and amazement (bland and grieving-exotic language)

This reveals to the reader that although Jane is highly intelligent she does over exaggerate and has very childish and wild emotions still at this point. The context with which we read the situation, however, tells us that Jane is being over dramatic, whereas at Gateshead one was more disposed to feel pity for Jane as we knew her treatment was despicable and that her emotions of her treatment were understandable.


Theme

Emotion and emotional development of Jane 'overwhelming….' 'Hush Jane!...you are too impulsive, too vehement' ' I infused into the narrative far less of gall and wormwood than ordinary'
Hipocracy- you see that authority and goodness are not one and the same at all times
Bland vs exotic- ' I sank…' ' ventured to descend' 'fading fires' 'long, vacant room' VS 'silent as an indian' (description of Helen) ' fragrant' 'delicious' 'feasted' 'delight'

In the themes of this chapter we see Jane starting to become more aware of the world around her. She begins to realise that there are other perspectives other than hers and that she tends to over dramatise her life, it is when Jane realises this that the reader becomes more aware of this also. Jane goes through an awakening where she realises that authority figures such as Mr Brocklehurst do not know everything and are not the pinnacle of goodness but are flawed. The use of negative bland words and positive exotic and wild words suggests that Jane inwardly considers suppressed characteristics to be negative and exotic characteristics to be positive.


Response:

The reader receives an outsider's opinion of Jane; that of Helen. Until this time, the story's opinions have been those of Jane's. It is a refreshing outlook. Helen calling Jane "too impulsive, too vehement" gives the reader a feel for the era in which they were living. Those characteristics which would be acceptable for a women in present day times were out of the ordinary for young ladies at the time.This chapter also gives insight into the compassion, wisdom and fairness of Helen and Miss Temple. It is interesting also that Jane's misfortune follows her to Lowood. It envokes further sympathy from the reader.