Chapter 2 summary and analysis, Jane Eyre
As she's being dragged to the red room, Jane resists her jailors (a person in charge of a jail or
the prisoners in it), Bessie and Miss Abbott. After the servants have her locked in, Jane
begins observing the red room. It is the biggest and best room of the mansion, yet it is rarely
used because Uncle Reed died there.
looking into a mirror Jane compares her image to that of a strange fairy. Being in a death
chamber seems to have stimulated Jane's imagination, and she feels superstitious about her
surroundings. She's also contemplative. The reader learns that Jane's uncle Reed, her mother's
brother, brought her into the household. On his deathbed, he made his wife promise to raise
Jane as one of her own.
She suddenly feels a presence in the room and imagines it might be Mr. Reed returning to
earth to avenge his wife's violation of his last wish. She screams, and the servants come
running to the room. Jane begs to be removed from the red room,but neither the servants nor
Mrs. Reed have sympathy, believing she is pretending to be afflicted. Mrs. Reed vows that
Jane will be free only if she maintains "perfect stillness and submission." When everyone
leaves, Jane faints.
analysis
Stating that she is resisting it creates Jane as a more rebellious, interesting, and intriguing
character. Rather than just accepting her fate, she realises this is not morally right. She did
not wish to be suppressed, which was very new in the 1820s, going against the traditional
standards of the period. Jane Eyre, as a character, stands out amongst other female
protagonists of the time because of this.
She is compared by Bronte to a "rebel slave" and Jane continues to use the imagery of
oppression begun in the previous chapter.
exposes the dark side of orphanages—what went on behind closed doors and was never
revealed.
"Resisted all the way—a new thing for her."
Red is symbolic, considered mysterious, a symbol of blood, fire, never used as a positive
colour, intense fervour, anger, and rebellion. symbolises Jane's anger towards her captors.
miss abbott shows no mercy "less than a servant"
"Sit down and think over your wickedness."
Jane has to repent, even though she is innocent.
links to Stephen King's Carrie when it comes to religion, being punished, and having to
repent when you are innocent Carie has to repent because of things her mother is not happy
about, which are not necessarily sins in a non-religious context. becoming a woman, starting
her period—again, the colour red is significant here.
In the d'ubervilles, a sign painter painted bible verses in red.
and religion being linked to horror and negativity. Most frightening and horror stories come
from a religious context. The Victorian era was filled with religion.
As she's being dragged to the red room, Jane resists her jailors (a person in charge of a jail or
the prisoners in it), Bessie and Miss Abbott. After the servants have her locked in, Jane
begins observing the red room. It is the biggest and best room of the mansion, yet it is rarely
used because Uncle Reed died there.
looking into a mirror Jane compares her image to that of a strange fairy. Being in a death
chamber seems to have stimulated Jane's imagination, and she feels superstitious about her
surroundings. She's also contemplative. The reader learns that Jane's uncle Reed, her mother's
brother, brought her into the household. On his deathbed, he made his wife promise to raise
Jane as one of her own.
She suddenly feels a presence in the room and imagines it might be Mr. Reed returning to
earth to avenge his wife's violation of his last wish. She screams, and the servants come
running to the room. Jane begs to be removed from the red room,but neither the servants nor
Mrs. Reed have sympathy, believing she is pretending to be afflicted. Mrs. Reed vows that
Jane will be free only if she maintains "perfect stillness and submission." When everyone
leaves, Jane faints.
analysis
Stating that she is resisting it creates Jane as a more rebellious, interesting, and intriguing
character. Rather than just accepting her fate, she realises this is not morally right. She did
not wish to be suppressed, which was very new in the 1820s, going against the traditional
standards of the period. Jane Eyre, as a character, stands out amongst other female
protagonists of the time because of this.
She is compared by Bronte to a "rebel slave" and Jane continues to use the imagery of
oppression begun in the previous chapter.
exposes the dark side of orphanages—what went on behind closed doors and was never
revealed.
"Resisted all the way—a new thing for her."
Red is symbolic, considered mysterious, a symbol of blood, fire, never used as a positive
colour, intense fervour, anger, and rebellion. symbolises Jane's anger towards her captors.
miss abbott shows no mercy "less than a servant"
"Sit down and think over your wickedness."
Jane has to repent, even though she is innocent.
links to Stephen King's Carrie when it comes to religion, being punished, and having to
repent when you are innocent Carie has to repent because of things her mother is not happy
about, which are not necessarily sins in a non-religious context. becoming a woman, starting
her period—again, the colour red is significant here.
In the d'ubervilles, a sign painter painted bible verses in red.
and religion being linked to horror and negativity. Most frightening and horror stories come
from a religious context. The Victorian era was filled with religion.
