11/5 - Can't Bury These Tales
Question 3: Identify and interpret the architectural images Jane uses to denote Mr. Brocklehurst in this chapter. What is the impact of these images on the development of his character?
Before Jane even begins to build Mr. Brocklehurst's character, she makes the reader uneasy about the man who's to come. Jane ominously states, "his absence was a relief to me." This immediately casts a negative light over the man.
Jane's first describes Mr. Brocklehurst when she says, "as I was sitting with a slate in my hand...my eyes...caught sight of a figure just passing: I recognised almost instinctively that gaunt outline; and when, two minutes after, all the school, teachers included, rose en masse, it was not necessary for me to look up in order to ascertain whose entrance they thus greeted." In this quote, Jane builds an image of Mr. Brocklehurst as a sinister but recognizable man. What is most interesting about the way Jane talks about Mr. Brocklehurst is how she turns him into a kind of mythical monster. When he steps into the room, he draws fear and order from the teachers and students, almost as if there are tales told about him that warn those to whom he may come in contact with.
Jane describes more of the physical attributes (the architectural images) of Mr. Brocklehurst when she says, "..stood the same black column which had frowned on me so ominously from the hearthrug of Gateshead. I now glanced sideways at this piece of architecture. Yes, I was right: it was Mr. Brocklehurst, buttoned up in a surtout, and looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever." The man wearing a surtout makes his character seem formal and fairly wealthy, but not overly concerned with fashion or material items. The overall image developed by this quote can be seen in two ways. In a very literal sense, "longer, narrower, and more rigid" could mean he is a tall, lean, and stiff man- alike to the previously mentioned column. However I think these words have a greater impact on Mr. Brocklehurst's character if taken to mean that he looks threateningly large in Jane's young eyes and is a stubborn, uptight person. This image develops his character by making him seem truly terrifying and extremely unlikable.
Jane uses another architectural image when Jane recalls, " 'My dear children,' pursued the black marble clergyman..." In this quote, Jane keeps up her perception of Mr. Brocklehurst as a sort of pillar or column. This time though, she adds that he is marble. My interpretation of the addition of marble is that the man in question is supposed to be rich and sticks to tradition, as marble is an expensive and classic material. I also think that Jane continuing this comparison shows how she doesn't see him, or want the audience to see him, as a human with human characteristics. Mr. Brocklehurst is purposely developed as a character that is cold, non-emotive, and lacks empathy for others. If Jane were to go into detail about his physical appearance in terms of human characteristics like eyes and hair, or about some of his personality quirks, he might come across as just a miserly old man that was actually good deep down.
Wow, I really liked your comparison of Mr. Brocklehurst as a monster out of a fairytale! Your analysis of him being mysterious, yet familiar man does share qualities to that of a mythical beast(which is fitting for the classroom full of younger, imaginative students). I also liked how you linked the comparison of him being marble to being cold and non-emotive. In addition to this, I think that since marble is opaque and a foggy white color, it shows how his motives are unclear until the moment he acts. Thus, being unpredictable makes him even more terrifying to Jane because she is unsure how he will control her fate. Overall, fantastic blog post, I really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love how you mentioned that Jane made Mr. Brocklehurst seem to be this mythical monster, because that is exactly what I thought as I was reading the chapter. Your insight on his characterization is awesome, and the architectural images you used to shed light on his character are really interesting. I remember just seeing him as this one dimensional character who was to Jane and the rest of the people in the chapter a horrible monster with power, but your analysis on him made me view him in a more detailed light. Your description and analysis was great, and was so interesting to read! Great job!
ReplyDeleteWow Rachel, what a fantastic blog. I like how you analyze Mr. Brocklehurst as a character, and how you can use context clues in the text to foreshadow what his character will be like later on in the story. I also like how you can possibly conclude that Jane doesn't want Brocklehurst to seem like a "normal person" so she doesn't really focus on his physical appearance, because he might look like just a normal person when he really is not. Overall, this was a great read and I really enjoyed how you analyzed different architectural images used.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention that before the character is introduced, the reader is made to feel uneasy about Mr. Brocklehurst's character. I really enjoyed how you made the comparison of his character to a monster in order to analyze how Jane must be feeling about Mr. Brocklehurst. It was interesting how you analyzed the architectural image of his character in order to take it in a literal sense and how that impacts him as a character.
ReplyDeleteI love that you specified the description of him as a marble column. I think it is interesting that she used marble specifically rather than another type of stone because marble is often used as a medium for sculpture. Good artists are able to make the stone warm and inviting, but it still has the connotation of a cold and hard statue and that is the impression of him that Jane is attempting to give.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you introduced the topic, because that first paragraph is really powerful and it set the tone of your analysis really well. Your analysis of the images relating to Mr. Brocklehurst's character development later on was also fantastic. I liked how you explained how what she said characterized him because how you explained it made a lot of sense. I especially liked that you put "my interpretation" when talking about some of that stuff though because literature is up to interpretation most of the time. Great blog post!!
ReplyDeleteHey boo! Let me first start off by saying that your style of writing is so distinct and unique and it really makes reading whatever you write very enjoyable! Second off, I really like the question you chose. I think it is important for us as the reader to dive deep into Mr. Brocklehurst's character and why he is written into the story the way he is. The way you described him as a "mythical monster" is something I never thought about, but it 's a good way to look at it. Jane builds him up to be someone who is absolutely terrifying and seems to make it as if everyone is scared of him. I LOVE the way you compared him to marble. She has shaped Mr. Brocklehurst into someone who his cold and cruel, just like how people will shape marble into certain things. Wonderful job, as always :)
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel! I really really loved your analysis of the text and diction chosen to describe the character. I like how you followed the chronology of the chapter in terms of analyzing information and descriptions of the character in the same way they were introduced throughout the excerpt. I like your connection of Mr. Brocklehurst to marble and stone as him being very inhuman and traditional. I think it would have been interesting to also explore how that could show him as someone with very clear and strong, unmoving values, much like a column of marble is meant to exude strength and power.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, this is such an intriguing analysis (especially because I didn't read the excerpt. Yay freebies!) The first paragraph really sets the tone for how Mr. Brocklehurst will be discussed, and ominous is both a good word and entirely appropriate. I like your comparison of him to a mythical monster, specifically with the idea of warning tales being told. The analogy with the marble was interesting as well. I like that you connected it to him in ways other than just physical characteristics. I hadn't thought about the fact that she might have depicted his character in this way to avoid the possibility of him being seen as a grumpy old man who was actually not a jerk at heart.
ReplyDeleteRachel! Whatta blog! I give it at LEAST a 9.498 out of 10. Great analysis of Mr. Brocklehurst and use of description. Your blog was interesting all the way through as the question you picked was not one that I fancied, but your writing and detail helped me understand the question and story even more. Your use of quotes from Jane, regarding Mr. B, showed evidence and backed up what you were saying (such as attributes and perception). I agree with the points and analysis made and have high expectations for the blog posts in the future.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I really enjoyed your post. There is a lot of good stuff in here and analysis of certain lines that I did not even think twice about. I especially like how you analyzed the quote describing Mr. Brocklehurst's stature. Whereas you analyzed the literal appearance as well as elaborating on the words used and their underlying significance. This was very well thought out and organized and I will start reading more of your posts!
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