Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’
I can analyse Brontë’s creation of atmosphere in her description of Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’.
Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’
I can analyse Brontë’s creation of atmosphere in her description of Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Atmosphere is the mood or feeling of a piece of writing.
- We would expect to find an ominous or tense atmosphere in Gothic literature, as this unsettles the reader.
- Thornfield Hall is described as a very old, dark and Gothic setting with an ominous atmosphere.
- Brontë creates an unnerving atmosphere in Chapter 11 of ‘Jane Eyre’ through Jane's interaction with Mrs Fairfax.
Keywords
Atmosphere - the mood or feeling of a piece of writing
Ominous - giving the impression that something bad is about to happen
To conceal - to hide from sight
Malevolent - sinister or evil
Pallid - extremely pale, usually because of poor health
Common misconception
Students think that atmosphere is created purely through the description of a physical setting.
Atmosphere can also be created through characters interacting with one another, as we see in Chapter 11 of 'Jane Eyre'.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in ‘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: Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in ‘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 the extract taken from Chapter 11 of ‘Jane Eyre’ for this lesson. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
"darkened by a drizzling yellow fog"
"dim light, distinguishable from the trees; so dank..and decaying"
"chests in oak or walnut, looking, with their strange carvings"
"unsatisfied hunger which gnawed me within"
"looking, as I thought, like a pale throne"