Gateshead Hall

• Throughout the novel, Jane defines her idea of home as a place where she both belongs and can be useful. When Mr Lloyd questions whether Jane is happy to live at Gateshead, Jane emphasizes this is not her house because she has no right to be there.

  In the first chapter, she describes herself as "a discord" at Gateshead because her temperament doesn't match that of the Reeds, and "useless" because the fact she doesn't fit in keeps her from adding to the happiness of the household.
• Jane's sense of alienation is compounded because no one loves Jane at Gateshead, and she has no one to love in return.
• "I was a discord in Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs. Reed, or her children"

  Portrayal of Jane's alienation and isolation, this statement highlights her feeling of being disconnected from the Reed family. Jane perceives herself as being fundamentally different from them; this reflects her emotional isolation and lack of belonging

  The quote also suggests this divide is based on their different social class and status; these differences contribute to Jane's sense of alienation and her awareness of her inferior social position.
• Gateshead hall --> foreshadows Jane's eventual depature and her quest for independence and self-discovery. Jane's inability to connect with the Reed family serves as a catalyst for her desire to seek a life where she can find genuine companionship and acceptance.

  
  

  Jane insists her strong personality, plain looks, and refusal to accept mistreatment are what ultimately cause the discord between herself and the household.
• "I know that, had I been a saguine... handsome... child, though equally dependant and friendless, Mrs. Reed would have endured my presence more complacently."

  Jane reflects on her appearance even as a child, this is later extended upon during Jane's conversation with Rochester where she describes herself as "poor, obscure, plain and little".
• This shows that she has an understanding of her limitations imposed by her plain appearance. Jane's character development throughout the novel also emphasizes the importance of inner qualities over external appearances, challenging the superficiality of Victorian society.

  Further shown: "Do you think me handsome?" "No, sir."
• The Red Room at Gateshead Hall symbolizes the terrifying sense of Jane's internal being. It symbolises her feeling of being trapped by society because of her status of being an orphan and a female

  "It was in this chamber that he breathed his last breath" --> Jane's genuine fears of encountering her uncle as a ghost, links to the gothic imagery- and further displays Mrs Reed's cruelty.

  "it was one of the largest and stateliest chambers in the mansion" --> large room, contrasting young/ small Jane. Use of superlatives makes the red-room more intimidating.
• Jane describes herself as "a strange child she could not love" from Mrs Reed's perspective- this underscores the emotional deprivation and neglect that Jane endures as a child. This lack of maternal love and nurturing shapes Jane's perception of herself as unwanted and unlovable, contributing to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. However as the novel progresses, Jane learns to overcome this perception and finds solace in her own sense of identity and self-worth.

  "strange child" --> alienation, isolates Jane and reinforces her identity as an orphan and outsider.
• Jane's ability to defy this societal perception of her highlights her independence and determination to forge her own path in life

  However Jane's perspective on Mrs Reed's inability to love her also reveals her capacity for a deeper understanding of things.
• "Mrs Reed, impatient of my now frantic anguish and wild sobs, abruptly thrust me back and locked me back in"

  Mrs Reed appears ruthless, as she "abruptly" pushes Jane into the room, locking the door. Bronte's use of descriptive language such as "impatient" and "thrust" highlights Mrs Reed's cruelty as Jane is a child here, and was "frantic" and sobbing wildly.
• "I shall remember how you thrust me- roughly and violently thrust me back into the red-room... though I was in agony.... And that punishment you made me suffer because your wicked boy struck me"

  -demonstrates her courage and assertiveness. Despite Mrs Reed's authority and social status, Jane refuses to remain silent about the injustices she endured.

  Jane's recounting of the traumatic events highlights her emotional resilience --> Jane finds the courage to confront Mrs Reed and demand acknowledgement of the harm done to her; this allows her to overcome adversity and injustice.
• Jane's confrontations with Mrs Reed reflects her strong sense of justice and fairness. She demands accountability from those who have wronged her; this insistence on speaking truth to power underscores her commitment to principles of integrity and moral rectitude.

  
  

  Portrays Jane as a morally principled individual who refuses to be silenced, and her commitment to truth and justice

  
  

  Jane also exclaims should she be asked, she'd say Mrs Reed "treated (her) with miserable cruelty"
• "You have no business to take our books; you are a dependent, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none; you ought to beg" (John Reed)

  
  

  John uses his position as sole male heir to harass Jane, pointing out that he effectively owns everything at Gateshead, as he will inherit it in a few years
• Red Room:

  "massive pillars of mahogany"

  "seeing before me a terrible red glare, crossed with thick black bars" --> colour imagery of "red" and "black" illustrates the room as being intimidating and terrifying; the adjectives uphold connotations of death, fire and hell --> symbolises the room's supernatural conditions.

  This symbolism makes the reader sympathise with Jane more
• "Take her away to the red room and lock her in there." (Mrs Reed) --> place of exile and imprisonment for Jane; parallel to Bertha in the attic
• Bronte draws on frightening Gothic imagery in the Red Room to highlight anxiety and uncertainty surrounding Jane's place in the world

  However, this is similarly mirrored when the storm that splits the chestnut tree where Rochester and Jane kiss creates a portentous atmosphere, as though nature itself objects to their love. (served to warn Jane)
• "I preferred her to anyone else at Gateshead Hall" --> about Bessie
• "I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say that I love you; but I declare I do not love you."