Analysis on Symbolism of Names in Jane Eyre

Abstract：Through studying the symbolic meaning of names in Jane Eyre，readers has got a clear and comprehensive understanding of the creation process of Jane Eyre.

Key words：Jane Eyre；symbolism；names

1 Introduction

Jane Eyre，one of the most well-known classical works in the nineteenth century aroused great controversy when it was first published.The success Jane Eyre has achieved not only depends on the characteristics of Jane Eyre，as well as the writing style and techniques.Symbolism，one of the techniques makes Charlottes novel lively and last from generation to generation.Critic Mrs.Levis pointed out that the greatest distinction between former novels and Jane Eyre is that Jane Eyre is a whole organism combined with symbols and symbolism，not the connection with each plot （Jingguo Luo 76）.

2 The Analysis of Symbolism in Jane Eyre

2.1 Eyre—the Combination of Eye and Fire

Researchers hypothesized that the last name“Eyre”is the combination of two symbols “eye”and“fire”in cognitive linguistic aspect（Han 1），they contained a variety of symbolic meanings which make the novel lively and deep.

2.1.1 Eye

“Eye”appeared approximately more than seventy times in the novel.Because of Rochesters special magnetic personality that expressed through his eyes，Jane Eyre was deeply attracted.In Rochesters eyes，it is easy to find his charm and his emotion.

His eyes and gathered eyebrows looked ireful and thwarted just now.（Brontё 164）

Jane Eyre firmly believed the power of eyes which can express emotions，communicate，observe inner heart and even approach to mutual soul.

I had rendered him...looking down on my face，surveyed me with eyes that revealed a heart full and eager to overflow...（Brontё 254）

There is no doubt that every expression of Rochesters eyes touched Jane Eyres heart，because it revealed the real feeling of Rochester.

Lifting his eyes to its battlements，he cast over them a glare，such as I never saw before or since...under his ebony eyebrow...（Brontё 208）

Even afterwards，Rochester was blind，Jane did not abandon him，and she was willing to become his eyes forever.In the novel，Janes eyes—the radiant hazel eyes，also greatly attracted Rochesters attention.

...for it keeps those searching eyes of yours away from my physiognomy，and busies them with the worsted flowers of the rug ...（Brontё 193）

In Jane Eyres mind，Rochesters eyes brought her warm and happiness，while Mrs.Reeds eyes were cruel and merciless.

Mrs.Reed surveyed me at times with a severe eye...（Brontё 31）

2.1.2 Fire

The symbol“fire”appeared almost hundred times，including stove fire，abstract fire in eyes，the fire from hell，and the fire set by Rochesters insane wife，etc.They contained a great number of symbolic meanings.It represents the passion and pleasure of love.“Strange energy in his voice，strange fire in his look （Brontё 221）”，this sentence shows readers a kind of Jane Eyres feeling after she saved Mr.Rochester，and such feeling originated from the “fire”in Mr.Rochester.

I wonder what other bridegroom ever looked as he did...ever revealed such flaming and flashing eyes.（Brontё 424）

The fire in Jane Eyre also represents the enthusiasm of life and the motivation of wisdom and energy.

...His countenance reminded one of the lamps quenched...It was not himself that could mow kindle the luster of animated expression：he was dependent on another for that office！（Brontё 651）

Moreover，the “fire”can refer to the source of warm for Jane.

This room was chill，because it seldom had a fire...All looked colder and darker...（Brontё 13）

“Eye”and“fire”in this novel indeed contain plural meanings.In the process of creating Jane Eyre，Charlotte retrospected and contemplated her inner heart on her life.It is natural that she would strip away and resolve such integral symbol“Eyre”into“eye”and“fire”to establish an individual symbolic image.

2.2 Gateshead—Porch of Life

Jane Eyre suffered a lot of humiliation and torture in Gateshead.Such a miserable growing circumstance fostered Janes early maturity，including her independence，sense of justice and rebellious spirit.Gateshead was the first station—childhood of Jane Eyre.Gateshead，is a town in Tyne and Wear，England.The first recorded mention of Gateshead is in the writings of the Venerable Bede.Theories of the derivation of“Gateshead”include head of the （Roman）“road”and“goats headland”，as the River Tyne at this point was once roamed by goats.The original meaning can also be interpreted into the beginning of the road，which refers to the start of Janes life.In Jane Eyre，Gateshead represents the first station in the long life journey，which made great contribution to Janes charming characteristics.

2.3 Lowood—Lower World

Lowood is a town in south-east Queensland，Australia.The name is derived from the “l(fā)ow woods”of brigalow in the Lowood area，as opposed to the taller trees elsewhere in the Brisbane Valley.It finds that low woods usually grow in dark wet place，which refers to the worse circumstance in Jane Eyre.The symbolic meaning of“Lowood”not only gives the reader a clear position of where the school was，but also has a similar pronunciation of “l(fā)ower world”，which means a terrible life as in the hell.It gives us the full understanding about Janes life in such a school and shows the authors critical attitude toward the charity school.

2.4 Thornfield—a Field Filled with Thorn

The third phase in Jane Eyres life was the day in Thornfield Hall，almost a year.Thornfield was bred by Steve Stavros Knob Hill Farm.The Book of Genesis recounts the creation of thorns as one of the punishments for the sin of Adam and Eve.Plants bearing thorns are often used as a defense against burglary，but also used to protect crops and livestock against marauding animals.That means thorn has double aspects，which has vividly represented the life of Jane Eyre in Thornfield.Furthermore，Thorn has a naturally association with rose.“There is no rose without thorns”.Just like the love between Jane and Rochester，mixing with sweets and bitterness.

2.5 Marsh End—the End of Marshes

Escaping from Mr.Rochester，Jane was fortunately saved by St.John Rivers.After Jane regained her health in Marsh End，St John Rivers Rivers proposed to her，but Jane refused.“Marsh End”，this image gives us the meaning“the end of marshes”，just as the sentence says“there is always bright sunshine after storming”.

3 Conclusion

Symbolism becomes such an outstanding writing skill in Jane Eyre for the evidence listed above，and all the symbolic images or symbols in Jane Eyre function to develop the plot，reach the climax and represent the theme of the novel.

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作者簡介

羅藝（1991—），女，漢，四川，助教，碩士研究生，中國民航飛行學(xué)院，外國語言學(xué)及應(yīng)用語言學(xué)。