Throughout reading Jane Eyre, we have noticed many different motifs. Colors, birds, and art are a few examples, however, I believe that fire and water are very large motifs. For example, water is brought up in the beginning when the girls are washing their nails and faces in the morning. The water is cleansing and calming. It froze over night so the girls couldn't use it. It also rains later in the book when Rochester and Jane are outside talking. Those are only a couple examples to show how water is a repeated theme.
Another motif is fire. One of the biggest events of the book is when Mr. Rochester is asleep, and there is a fire in his room. Jane hears some noise and wakes up. After noticing smoke coming from his room, she rushed in and put out the flames. Also, fire is always mentioned in minor events such as candles or using metaphorically for being angry. Our group decided that fire stood for the passion and rebelliousness in Jane.
Well put, Jake. I for one totally agree with the idea that fire reflects Jane's passion. But what, then, of the water? Does that represent her calmer side, her more reasonable side? Or does that more accurately reflect her ability to control the passions of others? The reason I bring up the second as a possibility is because even though it may not seem as though Jane does this much, most people with last names such as Burns or Poole get these from the effects they have on other people, not on themselves. Could the same not be true for Jane?
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