Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre - Read volume 1, chapter 7, from the Essay

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre - Read volume 1, chapter 7, from the beginning to '..... they were then propped up with monitors' high stools.' How is Language used - Essay Example Yet, Jane is also portrayed as a woman who has strong inner feelings that refuse to be ignored and constantly cause her difficulty. As Jane grows through the book, this conflict between society’s rules and her inner feelings becomes more and more obvious, finally reaching a resolution at the end in which she has found both an accepting home and a social status that permits her some freedom while still retaining her own inner fire thanks to her ability to retain a degree of independence even from her husband. As can be interpreted from this brief summary of the book, one of the key themes revolves around the struggle between the social constraints of Victorian society and the personal need for self-expression and fulfillment in the individual. This concept is addressed repeatedly throughout the novel as Bronte continues to paint ‘pictured thoughts’ to illustrate the various elements that contribute to or that relieve the struggle. A close examination of a brief pas sage found at the beginning of Volume 1, Chapter 7 illustrates how these ‘pictured thoughts’ and vignettes serve to support the theme of internal and external struggle. The specific language Bronte chooses to place in Jane’s mouth regarding her first year at Lowood frames a bleak image of denial. She describes it as â€Å"an irksome struggle† (63) that exists not just on the physical plane, but, to an even greater degree on a spiritual plane: â€Å"The fear of failure in these points harassed me worse than the physical hardships of my lot† (63). The physical hardships are also given strong adjectival support as the girls remained trapped by â€Å"deep snows†, â€Å"impassable roads† and forced to work â€Å"within these limits† of a small, sparse and bitterly cold garden (63). The clothing they are provided is â€Å"insufficient† and nonexistent while such neglect caused â€Å"irritation†, torture† and â€Å"swelled, raw