Monday 7 February 2011

IV. THE PARANORMAL IN VICTORIAN LITERATURE: 'JANE EYRE'

THE INTERPENETRATION OF MIND AND MATTER


My discussion of  'Jane Eyre' in this Blog assumes that this novel supports a particular nineteenth century VIEW OF THE WORLD. That is THE INTERPENETRATION OF MIND AND MATTER.

As I have suggested in other Postings, the Victorians assumed that the Mind and Matter interpenetrated each other. Therefore, they used Paranormal Techniques to explore the RELATIONSHIP between the physical Universe and the Human Mind.

In 'Jane Eyre'  this same idea is fictionalised through DREAMS and through STATES OF HEIGHTENED CONSCIOUSNESS. It also contains PHRENOLOGICAL scenes.

But let us have a glance at the author's background to get a grip on this. Fortunately, Charlotte Bronte had some experience of both PHRENOLOGY and MESMERISM.



CHARLOTTE BRONTE (1816-1855)


SHE WAS 31 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE WROTE JANE EYRE


In 1851 she visited the PHRENOLOGIST Dr Brown. He diagnosed her, from the contours of her head as of a somewhat nervous, affectionate, and conscientious temperament. According to him she was loyal to her friends and, quite perceptively, her contours indicated a proficiency in the use of language.

I am sure this was what Charlotte Bronte wanted to hear, for she had inserted PHRENOLOGY into her novel, 'Jane Eyre'  some four years earlier when Jane diagnoses Mr Rochester's character, and a number of other scenes.

On the subject of MESMERISM she corresponded regularly with Harriet Martineau, a committed practitioner. In one of her letters to James Taylor she remarks on her confidence in some of the reports Harriet Martineau gave to her regarding MESMERIC power. In 1850 she and Harriet Martineau were on holiday in Ambleside, in the Lake District and whilst they were there Bronte insisted on being Mesmerised.  It seems, however, she was a little disappointed with the result.


BRIDGE HOUSE IN AMBLESIDE A TYPICAL LAKE DISTRICT BUILDING



Although I shall not be taking this novel apart, microscopically, it might be helpful if you see how Charlotte Bronte laid it out. Remember though, I am CONCENTRATING only on one or two PARANORMAL aspects of 'Jane Eyre'. Here then is the outline:




Chapters 1-4: Jane's childhood at Gateshead with her Aunt Read and her cousins
Chapters 5-10: Jane's education at Lowood School run by the tyrannical Rev. Brocklehurst
Chapters 11-26: Jane is employed as a Governess at Thornfield Hall; here she falls in love with Mr Rochester, who unknown to Jane has a mad wife, locked away in an attic
Chapters 27-35: Jane lives for a time with the River's family after fleeing from Mr Rochester's attempt to marry her bigamously
Chapters 36-38: Jane's reunion with Mr Rochester.

Now let us explore my main theme, the PARANORMAL in 'Jane Eyre'


Regarding the overall structure of the novel one might say that it is  Jane's struggle to achieve a personal identity. In an attempt to block this two men attempt to use her for their own purposes. Therefore, they use PHRENOLOGY to estimate whether or not she will fit in with their ambitions.

Instead of ploughing through the novel I will pick it up mainly at the point where Jane becomes involved with Rochester and the Paranormal Omens she receives.

When Rochester begins to court Jane his personal circumstances - details of which are unknown to her - preclude the possibility of marriage. Accordingly, the night before the marriage Jane receives PORTENTS of disaster in a series of DREAMS.  The fact that she is asleep when she receives these DREAM WARNINGS seems highly significant. Perhaps it is a fictionalisation of THE MESMERIC SLUMBER allowing her to see how her fate will turn out.

The DREAMS indicate that the relationship between Jane and Rochester is to be interrupted temporarily.  DREAM IMAGES of 'a dark and gusty night' and 'of the wish to be with Rochester arise in addition to 'a strange regretful consciousness of some barrier dividing them'; doubtless the existence of Rochesters Mad Wife. In the dream she is also shown that she will follow 'the windings of an unknown road' , a reference to her departure from Rochester and her journey to the house of her cousins.





IN JANE'S DREAM SHE IS BURDENED WITH A YOUNG CHILD. THIS PICTURE BY MILLAIS EMPHASISES SUCH VULNERABILITY


 Jane says that in her dreams she is also 'burdened with the charge of a little child ... too young and feeble to walk' and which 'wailed piteously' (Vol. II page 355) Earlier references in the text show Jane's belief that the presence of a CHILD IN A DREAM signifies TROUBLE. In her Dreams Rochester also figures as one who departs further and further away from her


JANE EYRE, WINDSWEPT ON A LONG, LONELY ROAD, LEAVING ROCHESTER IN HER DREAM. THIS PAINTING OF BOREAS BRINGS IT OUT CLEARLY


The structure of the DREAM SEQUENCE is very important. It has been deliberately planted by Charlotte Bronte to show the way the novel will work out.  It is as if ANOTHER REALM is COMMUNICATING to Jane the future course of her life.

In the same series of DREAMS Jane receives a PREVIEW of the destruction of Thornfield, which occurs some time after her departure. However, this FORESHADOWS a blessing in disguise. With the destruction of the place, and the death of the Mad Wife it becomes possible for Jane to marry Rochester. Jane can only understand later how this was foretold.

So with the DREAM SEQUENCES Charlotte Bronte makes clear her belief in the INTERPENETRATION OF ONE WORLD INTO ANOTHER.

The novel makes numerous references to PHRENOLOGY. Why? It contains the same ideas as the DREAM IMAGERY. Namely, that the Life Course of the individual can be read by studying the contours of the head. In other words an INTIMATE CONNECTION exists between the PHYSICAL, MATERIAL, characteristics (the cranial features) and the person's INNER LIFE or Spiritual Constitution. Like the Dreams the Phrenological diagnosis can also point to how the life of the person will unfold.

We shall look at this now.

One evening, before their more intimate relationship, Jane and Rochester are sitting together. She is studying HIS HEAD closely. Rochester realises that she is attempting some sort of PHRENOLOGICAL STUDY of his character. She also blends it with a related study, PHYSIOGNOMY, a study of FACIAL FEATURES that was also believed to reveal character especially if it was allied to phrenology.










ACCORDING TO PHYSIOGNOMISTS AT THE TIME OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE THESE ARE THE FACIAL FEATURES OF CRIMINALS










Rochester breaks into Jane's thoughts and asks, 'Does my FOREHEAD not please you?' She has read his PHRENOLOGICAL (cranial contours) and deduces the presence of 'a solid enough mass of INTELLECTUAL ORGANS (particular 'bumps' on his head) ' but she notices 'an abrupt deficiency where the suave SIGN of benevolence should have been' In short the lump was missing in this area so he was most likely a little stingy.

To check out her deduction she asks him whether he does good deeds towards others. He denies that he does, yet tells her that he does have a Conscience. To prove it he points to 'the PROMINENCES' on his skull, 'which are said to indicate that faculty.'  But they are not over prominent only 'sufficiently conspicuous'  (Vol. i. XIV). It is ACCEPTED in this scene that PHRENOLOGY will serve to reveal what sort of man Rochester is and what sort of life she might expect to have if she were in a deeper, marital relationship with him.

So, from her PHRENOLOGICAL OBSERVATION what might Jane deduce about Rochester?

First, she might deduce that he is an intelligent man. Secondly, that he is not kindly disposed to the community as a whole. Thirdly, he might not have much of a Conscience. The novel as a whole seems to bear out her conclusions. He is certainly intelligent; he is highly selective of his associates, his manner is abrupt, and he appears to have no Conscience at all, for he is quite prepared to put Jane at risk by a bigamous marriage - neither a legal or moral thing to do from a Victorian standpoint. (Vol. ii. XI)







JANE'S ORDEAL ON THE ROAD AFTER LEAVING ROCHESTER







The PHRENOLOGICAL THEME continues after she has fled from her intended marriage to Rochester and after she is recovering from her ordeal on the road. It is now the turn of St John Rivers to 'read' Jane PHRENOLOGICALLY to see if she will fit in with his own ambitions.




ST JOHN RIVERS HAVING 'READ' JANE PHRENOLOGICALLY  AND USING PHYSIOGNOMY TRIES TO COERCE HER INTO BECOMING HIS WIFE


He is looking for a manipulable woman who will help him evangelise in India. So, he resorts to the twin techniques, PHRENOLOGY and PHYSIOGNOMY to assess her suitability. He remarks that Jane has 'an unusual PHYSIOGNOMY' but nothing about her FEATURES suggests 'vulgarity or degradation.' Even so, he will not be able to manipulate her easily for there are 'lines of force in her FACE' which make him 'sceptical of her tractability' (Vol. iii. III)

He is certainly up against it. If Rochester could not manipulate her, then St John Rivers has no chance of achieving this at all. When St John Rivers tries to coerce Jane into becoming his wife as an act of self-sacrifice she refuses.  She has had a previous insight into the man and his nature.

How has she done this?

She has also submitted him - without his being aware of it - to a PHRENOLOGICAL and PHYSIOGNOMIC diagnosis. What has she discovered?

She notes that 'there was something about his NOSTRIL, his MOUTH, his BROW' which  indicates 'elements' of the personality which are 'either restless, or hard, or eager' (Vol. iii. III). This diagnosis has alerted Jane to the sort of person that St John is: one who would fulfil his ambition to become a missionary regardless of personal cost or without any consideration for Jane's feelings should she agree to marry him. As the novel progresses his character lines up perfectly with Jane's diagnosis.

On an earlier occasion at Thornfield Lady Blanche Ingram makes a significant remark concerning Jane who is now employed by Rochester as a Governess.  Blanch Ingram speaks of herself as 'a judge of PHYSIOGNOMY', and after studying Jane remarks that Jane's FEATURES betray 'all the faults of her class.' Charlotte Bronte has captured the Victorian procedure perfectly. It was common practice for women of Blanche Ingram's class to send potential employees .. such as Jane .. to a PHRENOLOGIST for a character evaluation before employing them.

When Rochester disguised as a gypsy appears amongst his guests this is a key scene that brings out Charlotte Bronte's belief in phrenology.

But I shall leave this discussion until my next Posting in a day or so.

I hope you are enjoying the Blog

Any Comments?

KS (UK)

Picture Credits: Wikimedia Commons.

All quotations are from 'Jane Eyre'  Clarendon Edition (London, 1969)






3 comments:

  1. fascinating stuff and a great read - I'm really
    enjoying this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Victorians believed that mind and matter interpenetrate each other.

    Some mystics say that matter is a projection of the universal mind.

    I liked the combination of appropriate photos with the text, very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is truly a great post.
    I firmly believe that facial constructions of an individual reveals his character to quite an extent.
    You might find it crazy of me but I was and still am truly besotted by Jane Eyre because of her courage and strength to remain right in the face of all odds - the sort of rectitude which today's 21st century people will consider unnecessary and even foolish.
    I have read this wonderful book more than 20 times and I remember its every word from cover to cover.

    ReplyDelete