Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’
I can undertake close-textual analysis on a short passage from ‘Jane Eyre’.
Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’
I can undertake close-textual analysis on a short passage from ‘Jane Eyre’.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Jane is characterised as a polite, calm and helpful character.
- Brontë creates a Gothic setting using classic Gothic conventions.
- Brontë’s setting is isolated, lifeless and has a supernatural feel to it.
- Brontë uses contrasting colours to make her settings Gothic.
- Brontë uses the setting to reflect Jane’s isolation and innocence.
Keywords
Battlemented - protected with battlements
To contrast - to position two opposite things close to one another to draw attention to their difference
Isolated - physically or emotionally removed from others - on one’s own
Ominous - suggestive that something bad might happen
Connotation - an association we make with a word- for example, a connotation of the colour ‘white’ is peace
Common misconception
Students might not recognise this as a Gothic setting, as it is not overtly frightening or eerie.
Brontë's use of contrasting colours, isolation and cold make this a Gothic setting. Gothic descriptions do not have to be terrifying at all times.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of an extract from 'Jane Eyre' (Charlotte Brontë). This can be downloaded from the additional materials section of the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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