Afterthoughts
Through the course of the novel, Jane attempts to achieve a “desired female selfhood” after her meager beginnings (Chen 369). Strengthened solely by her imagination, it appears that Jane’s unconscious life is preparing her to meet her for her prophetic, prospective dreams, as well as prepare her for the dark side of her personality, and “confront the demon of rage that has haunted her since the red room” (Gilbert 347, Singer 192). Jane has such connection that it is only when she leaves, and comes back to know Bertha is truly dead that she feels a sense of liberation she has long desired since her days as a “bad animal” and a “mad cat” ( Bronte7,9). Ultimately, Jane's imagination is what prepares her for her various dreams and visions. Her imagination, strengthed from days of reading and subjugation, is powerful enough to recieve visions and dreams that are ultimately prophetic. Thanks to good, old Jung, we gain a new perspective into what the dreams mean, and what connections those dreams make to the novel.
Photo of red room from Americaslibrary.gov.
Read more:
Introduction to the Dreams of Jane Eyre
Jung's Principles
Mirrors on the Wall: Early Imaginative Unconscious
Awakening the Imagination
Making Meaning of Prophetic Dreaming
Shadows: Reflections of the Self
Afterthoughts
Critics
Further Reading
About the Author