Quotation: Reading through this section a quotation from the last paragraph of page 150 onto 151 stood out to me. “I imagined myself only to be regretting my loss and thinking how to repair it; but when my reflections were concluded, and I looked up and found that the afternoon was gone, and evening far advanced, another discovery dawned on me: namely, that in the interval I had undergone a transforming process; that my mind had put off all it had borrowed of Miss Temple – or rather that she had taken with her the serene atmosphere I had been breathing in her vicinity – and that now I was left in my natural element; and beginning to feel the stirring of old emotions. It did not seem as if a prop were withdrawn, but rather as if a motive were gone: it was not the power to be tranquil which had failed me, but the reason for tranquillity was no more. My world had for some years been in Lowood: my experience had been of its rules and systems; now I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.”
Comment: This quote fits really well with the rest of the novel because Jane is realizing that she doesn’t have to fit in with everyone because there is so much out there in the world. Jane remembering that she is able to do more in the real world than just what she has been conditioned to do in Lowood is a new beginning for her. It sets up the rest of the chapters of her truly discovering who she is and what she wants to stand for. This passage gives off the feeling that just because we have been conditioned to feel and act one way does not mean we have to stay that way forever; we are capable of change. Essentially we do not have to remain in a cage that is preventing us from being who we truly are. I think this relates to the class because it talks about Jane being caged and other people forcing her to be a certain way. I feel like a lot of monsters are conformed to be one way and are constantly trapped feeling as though they will always be that one way; they can never change. But sometimes there can be individuals and ideas that create a turning point for some monsters, like Frankenstein when he became fond of the family in the woods, that help show them they are capable of change and they can be whoever they want.
In terms of an argument being made, it would appear that her motive for being “calm” and “tranquil” are gone. But, I don’t think this is necessarily true; I would say that her ability to control how she acts when she wants has grown to her benefit. The ability to be calm and tranquil would not just go away it would simply be reserved for when she wants to use it. It’s like when we change the way we act in front of different groups of people.
Question: This passage really makes you think about how if it being lonely helped Jane realize she can be more than what she was conformed to within 8 years then how many other people have had the realization they are able to change just from being alone? I know there are some individuals that are afraid to be alone or don’t like it but would those individuals be the ones to experience more eye-opening realizations than the ones that are naturally comfortable being alone?
Often when alone the mind takes you to places you never would have else found unless given that space to roam. In the case of Jane she was given this brutal childhood with really the options of suffering, or poverty. This is why when she is given education at Lowood although the suffering is still endured, education is that light at the end of the tunnel. When given that much solidarity you find a lot of motivation not for others but rather yourself which is why she excelled so much in her studies. I think those who do not do well by themselves being forced under circumstances like this would first experience a great depression for some time and then in turn be more motivated than ever to better themselves so that they hold what is important to them. Alternatively those who may not handle solidarity would probably end up like Bertha.
I think being alone in your thoughts can be a slippery slope. Some people thrive in being alone, like Jane, and it sets you free. On the other hand some left to their own thoughts may find themselves in a dark place. Although I do not think it is so black and white. There is a grey area. I do think that people, like Jane potentially, do not know the benefit of being alone. They may never know what they can breakthrough. Jane finally realized after 8 years what her potential is. I really like that you brought this up but I do think that not only does every individual differ but also, every situation.