Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Josh's Analysis Through Chapter 17
I have decided not to bore you all with a synopsis of the text, because I was chided for doing so in my previous post. Anyways, I have just finished reading the elegant party scene, and am beginning to wonder if the color white is congruous with the symbol of ice. We all know that fire portends Jane's passion and whatnot, and on the contrary, ice represents all that tries to debase and suppress Jane. At the party, all of the guests that treat Jane with scorn just happen to be wearing white. I have no idea if this is merely a coincidence. Furthermore, it is a bit outlandish that the people who were treating Jane with cruelty just happened to be women. Isn't this supposed to be a novel that empowers women? Such cruelty seems very incongruous with the rising moon and such. It seems a bit ludicrous that a feminist novel should have women debasing Jane. Could social class and wealth be another theme in this novel? The Reeds, Mr. Brockelhurst, and these new wealthy folk have all treated Jane with disdain.
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1 comment:
Much more interesting than straight synopsis (thanks--didn't mean to 'chide'). I think you're right to wonder about color scheme and to consider what (if anything) the color white correlates to thematically. Keep in mind, though, that Blanche, though her name indicates 'whiteness,' is actually dark complected (much like Rochester). As for the snarky comments made about governesses within Jane's earshot--is this really a reflection on the women making them, or on the class of which they are members? I wonder.
Nice post.
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