ALQUIN The Novel + Charlotte Bronte + Jane Eyre part 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Victorian literature - the novel

• The age of the novel
• Growing audience for "true stories"
• Greater wealth (rise of the middle classes)
• Better education (rise in literacy)
• Instalment system (novels published in serial form)

Why was the novel successful? 

1. intended for middle class

2. flexible

3. escapism 

4. realistic

5. solutions to complex issues

Characteristics of Victorian Novel: 

1. Standard middle-class (bourgeoisie) habits and standards of behaviour.

2. The most popular topic is the adaptation of the individual to society. 

3. Emphasis on the way that characters develop. 

(lower class described in a boring manner, aristocracy portrayed in a jealous/arrogant manner). 

Jane Eyre 

Excerpt 1

pages 17&18

Assignment 1A
suitable title for excerpt 1?

Assignment 1b.
Why do Bessie and Miss Abbot insist that Jane deserves to be punished?

1. Jane was acting like a mad cat.
2. Jane was not grateful enough to Mrs Reed.
3. Jane had struck the young master of the house.
4. Jane had stolen money.

Assignment 1C.
Why does Jane think she is being treated unfairly in the Reed household?

Assignment 1d:
In what regard is the Red Room a sadistic form of punishment for a little girl like Jane?

1. Her uncle had died and his coffin had remained in this room.
2. Her father had died and his coffin had remained in this room.
3. Jane's favourite colour was pink.

Assignment 1e: What is Jane's most striking characteristic in the first 22 lines?

1. enthusiasm
2. confidence
3. fearlessness
4. bravery

Excerpt 2

page 20

Assignment 2A
suitable title for excerpt 2?

Assignment 2B: What comparison can Jane draw in lines 20-28 with the Reed household in excerpt 1?

1. cold weather
2. harsh education
3. class privilege
4. unfair treatment

Assignment 2C: How does Miss Scatcherd respond to a supposed mistake by Helen Burns?

Assignment 2d: Why is Jane surprised at Helen Burns in excerpt 2?

1. Helen is able to endure a lot of pain.
2. Helen does not resist the unfair treatment.
3. Helen didn't wash her hands.
4. Helen has an incredible memory.

Assignment 2e: What is the ultimate effect of Helen's behaviour on Miss Scatcherd ?

1. She cannot quite understand Helen and therefore becomes even angrier.
2. She thinks she has done the right thing as Helen does not resist.

Excerpt 3

page 21

Assignment 3a
suitable title for excerpt 3?

Assignment 3b: Why is Jane surprised at both Helen and Miss Temple in excerpt 3?

1. They are both very angry at her while Jane insists she is inncocent.
2. Both are capable of comforting her, while Jane thinks that everyone hates her.

Assignment 3c: How does the teacher delicately indicate that she supports Jane?

1. She puts her arm around her.
2. She comes to Jane to talk to her.

Assignment 3c2: In which line does Helen do something similar?

1. Line 24
2. Line 26

Assignment 3d: Helen tries to persuade Jane not to take too much notice of what Mr Brocklehurst says. What reason does she give to support this?

Answer: Based on the principle that everyone has the right to defend themselves, Miss Temple lets

Jane tell her story, and is even prepared to listen to it objectively.

Assignment 3e: What is most striking about the final three lines in this excerpt?