In Chapter 7 of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the first description the reader gets of Mr. Brocklehurst is "gaunt". Curious as to what this word actually meant, I looked it up. Gaunt can be used to describe a person who is "lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age." While that definition seemed plausible, there was another one underneath it that I found interesting. This definition is only used to describe buildings or places, rather than people. It said gaunt means "grim or desolate in appearance." At the end of the chapter, I could see how the first definition would be a better fit, but thought it was ironic how the question was asking about the architectural images and there is a specific gaunt definition for buildings.
The next description we, as readers, get about Mr. Brocklehurst is this: "...stood the same black column which had frowned on me so ominously from the hearthrug of Gateshead. I now glanced sideways at this piece of architecture. Yes, I was right: it was Mr. Brocklehurst, buttoned up in a surtout, and looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever." By comparing Mr. Brocklehurst to a black column, the author is trying to get the reader to envision a man who is emotionless and very simple, not complex. This "black column" description also conveys a message of being sturdy and solid. We see these characteristics really contribute to Mr. Brocklehurst's personality because towards the middle of the chapter, he begins to lay down his rules with no room for adjustments made by others. I think Charlotte Bronte was attempting to create a feeling of uneasiness and dislike within her audience for this strange man by describing him as "rigid", or not flexible or changing. When I read the lines "looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever", I immediately thought about a very tall skyscraper builder. All of these examples of imagery greatly help in describing Mr. Brocklehurst as a conserved, all-business kinda guy.
I enjoyed reading how you "explored" the question and the language of the text. Be sure to examine historical and social context as well- it's necessary for this passage and for your response.
ReplyDelete