The character of Bertha in Jane Eyre
This useful resource guides students studying Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte through the character of Bertha, drawing comparisons and contrasts between Bertha and Jane.
There are a series of activities helping to deepen students' understanding of Bronte's characterisation and reader responses to Bertha and Jane.
Some activities focus students' attention on language interpretations with close analysis, others emphasise the importance of contextual influences on the novel as a whole and key characters in particular.
Browse additional resources in the Jane Eyre section.
A sample extract from the resource:
This is the first time we see Bertha.
Here are some relevant quotations which convey ideas about Bertha to the reader:
•‘Discoloured.’
•‘Savage.’
•‘Purple.’
•‘Swelled and dark’ lips.
‘Bloodshot eyes.’
Jane likens her to a vampire; it was quite typical at this time to link the description of vampires to cannibalism and lunacy.
The vampire is a complicated abhuman creature trapped between this life and the next, both fascinating and terrifying.
It was emerging as a feature of 19th century Gothic literature.
There are sexual connotations associated with vampires.
The notion of blood may imply a fear of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis.
There may also be a fear of physical and moral decay many thought was infecting society at that time.
