Chapter 2

This chapter described Jane’s experience in the red room, and how it affects her

Themes

Again, isolation is a major factor, and the way Jane is literally forced to stay away from ‘civilized’ people. The way that Jane is always struggling (and failing) to meet people’s impossible standards is also a recurring theme. In this chapter, superstition is mentioned, which becomes a minor theme throughout the novel.

Characters

• Jane’s character is built upon, showing how she was a determined and willful child, who just wishes to be accepted. It also portrays how intelligent she is.
  
  
• Bessie Lee is the nurse of the four children, and, although appearing mean, is obviously liked by Jane, as it is Bessie’s hand she will not release when out of the red room. Bessie also defends Jane on two separate occasions in the chapter.
  
  
• Abigail, Bessie’s servant, is a very minor character, who is very condemning, especially of Jane, and is not inclined to forgiveness.
  

Motifs

The most obvious motif is the mention of red, as Jane is in the Red room. A red room, although it means something different in this case, was usually a term for a place where a person with measles stayed, as the colour was believed to help cure them. Red may mean sickness or fear in this chapter.

Places

This chapter is set in the “red room” of the Reeds house, where Jane is locked in as a punishment. Believed to be haunted, it is a scary sounding room, and the décor doesn’t help much. Most of the furnishings are different shades of red, and as the light fades, the room must have been oppressive and dark, a spooky place for a frightened young girl like Jane.

Narrative voice

Jane pays a lot of attention to detail in this chapter, perhaps showing a child’s method of trying not to focus on their predicament, and think of other things. The voice sounds slightly nervous at the least, especially as the chapter goes on, but anger also shows though at the thought of the lack of punishment for John’s actions.

Response

Due to the creepiness of the language chosen, and the description of the red Room as the darkness slowly crept in, I found I could feel Jane’s fear. I also found myself able to sympathize with Jane’s feelings of injustice, as,I can often see the unfairness of punishments.