COMPARATIVE ESSAY

Comparative between Jane Eyre and Catcher and the Rye

Comparative between Jane Eyre and Catcher and the Rye

Introduction

In this paper, it will be a Comparative essay of Catcher in the Rye and Jane Eyre. As many works of literature use a physical, spiritual, or emotional journey (or a combination of these) to convey the overall themes of the work. Through the main character's growth and development in response to this journey, the author conveys important themes and ideas. We will use scenes from the beginning, middle, and end of the novels, and will compare how a literal or metaphorical journey reflects one or more major ideas in the work of Catcher in the Rye and Jane Eyre.

Discussion

Jane Eyre narrated in the first person by an adult Jane, who begins the book by recalling events from her childhood as an orphan living with her hard-hearted aunt, Mrs. Reed. At the age of eight, Jane is sent off to Lowood, a boarding school for orphans. Life continues to be difficult for Jane, but she perseveres, making friends with another girl at the school, as well as a beloved teacher, Miss Temple. Jane stays at the school until she is eighteen, first as a student and later as a teacher herself (Jeffers, 2005). The story now takes a dramatic turn, with Mr. Rochester admitting that his engagement to Miss Ingram is a farce, and to his own feelings for Jane. He offers her a proposal of marriage, which Jane accepts. Four weeks later, Jane and Mr. Rochester set out alone for the church to be married. The ceremony, however, is interrupted with the revelation that Mr. Rochester is already married, and that the strange murmurs and laugh that Jane has heard through her months at Thornfield belong to his insane wife, Bertha, who has been locked in the attic. Faced with an awful choice between her love for Mr. Rochester and her loyalty to her own principles, Jane leaves Thornfield that very night. She finds shelter with the Rivers family and eventually learns that she has inherited a small fortune from her Uncle John. In the meantime, St. John Rivers, her clergyman cousin, tries to convince Jane to marry him. During the course of his proposal, Jane suddenly becomes aware of Mr. Rochester's voice calling out to her. Stunned, she returns to Thornfield, only to find the estate in ruins; the house was set afire by Bertha, who herself has perished in the fire. In his attempt to save Bertha, Mr. Rochester has lost his sight. To her shock, Jane also finds out that it was, indeed, Mr. Rochester who was calling out to her in desperation. Now that, he is free of his marital obligations, she agrees to marry him. Bronte uses the canvas of Thornfield and its inhabitants to comment on many aspects of Victorian society, including gender relationships, social structure, education, religion, and spirituality (Stevie, 2006). The heart of the novel, however, revolves around the development of Jane's character, and Bronte ...