Jane Eyre Essay -- Literature Writing Jane Eyre Papers

Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre arouse be linked to galore(postnominal) fairy-tales. Some of these tales such as Charles Perraults Bluebeard, Arabian Nights, and many more are actually cited in the text. Others are alluded to through the events that take place in the story. Jane Eyre has often been viewed as a Cinderellatale for example. There is also some other story, however, that though not mentioned directly, can definitely be linked to Brontes novel. This tale is none other than witness and the Beast, which was part of one of Perraults compilations. Bronte uses the ideas and themes of Beauty and the Beast to reveal the importance of inner beauty and to make a point that its whats inside a person that counts. The beauty that can be found through outward appearance is superficial. A persons inner beauty as shown through the relationship of Jane and Rochester can inhibit societys ideas of what constitute being delightful. We know that Bronte was familiar with Perrault s works because she explicitly refers to another of Perraults tales, Bluebeard when exploring Thornfields third story. Also at that place is another connection to Perrault. Elizabeth Imlay through her study of Jane Eyre and fairy tales unveiled a fascinating connection. She questioned the idea that Janes French teacher, Madame Pierrot could in fact be a reference to Perrault himself. Jane talks about a French storybook when attending Lowood. She says, I examined, too, in thought, the possibility of my ever being able to translate currently a certain little French story--book which Madame Pierrot had that day shown me (83 ch. 8). Imlay argues that, The title of the little French story--book promised to Jane by Madame Pierrot is not revealed, although . . . Pie... ...auty is on the inside. She did not need to make Jane or Rochester beautiful in the end because that would defeat and contradict her purpose. Bronte uses the motifs in Beauty and the Beast and modifies them to help stren gthen her views of the importance of inner beauty over outward appearance. As Jane mentions in the novel, Most true is it that beauty is in the eye of the gazer (177 ch.177). Works Cited Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 1996. Imlay, Elizabeth. Charlotte Bronte and the Mysteries of Love. New York Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1989. LePrince de Beaumont, Jeanne-Marie. Beauty and the Beast. Ed. D.L. Ashliman. 6 October 2001. U of Pittsburgh. 1 defect 2003 . Schwingen, Mary. Fantasy, Realism, and Narrative in Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland. Victorian Web. May 1994. National U of Singapore. 2 March 2003.