Topic > The Symbolism of Fire and Ice in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

In the gothic romance novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, there are many references to images of both fire and ice in the plot. The images of fire and ice alternately provide positive and negative implications and connotations. For example, this depends on a character's mood, the state of situations and his actions. Through the development of Jane's character, Bronte maintains the right balance between those images while preserving the character's thoughts. Bronte's use of fire and ice imagery depicts not only Jane's emotions but also the correlation of society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The image of fire creates multiple nuances in this novel. Some readers often link fire to passion, rebellion, and anger, while others see it as the warmth and comfort of home. Bronte uses exceptional fire imagery throughout Jane's development. This symbolism begins at Mrs Reed's home in Gateshead. Jane first describes Mrs. Reed, who is her aunt, and her family. The Reed family gathers around the fireplace, and she even describes them as perfectly happy. However, Jane is isolated from the rest of the family and the warmth of the fire, "...she lay reclining on a sofa by the fire, and with her loved ones about her." Furthermore, the Reed family deems Jane too spiteful to enjoy the privilege: “she really must exclude me from privileges intended only for small, contented, happy children.” Bronte describes the glass sheets as “protecting, but not separating…”. This winter landscape and the Reed family portray the cold and emotionless views of society. While fire is figuratively involved in illustrating anger towards mistreatment, ice imagery is used to symbolize loneliness and desolation. Other relevant images of fire and ice are invoked in the scene where Jane is locked in the red room. The red room is described as deep red and crimson, which are known colors of fire and heat. Jane describes the red room as very cold saying, “I gradually became stone cold.” When Mrs. Reed locks Jane in the red room, she is also locking Jane's passionate nature with the cold emotion that tempers Jane's anger: "My heartbeat is intense, my head is on fire: a sound filled my ears...". Society wants people to behave “normally” and anyone who thinks outside the box is considered “abnormal”. The room portrays Jane's passion and symbolizes how Jane's fiery personality stands out from society. Jane believes that if she followed society's norms by behaving coldly and impassively, it would destroy her passion. Therefore, this scene exemplifies how society thinks about how people should behave. Throughout the story, Bronte develops physical evidence that symbolizes Jane's struggle to balance fire and ice to survive because the fiery nature that maintains Jane's passion is described as repugnant in society. The first test is Mr.Rochester, who embodies fire, which has the potential to burn and destroy Jane's life. After her first meeting with Mr. Rochester, numerous images of fire appear: "...I should have avoided them as one would avoid fire, lightning, or anything else that is bright but unpleasant." Rochester is not only the fire that creates heat but is also represented as temptation. Although Jane realizes the fire burning within her, she rejects Rochester to achieve maturity. However, Rochester encourages)