Reading an extract from Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can undertake close-textual analysis on a short passage from ‘Jane Eyre’.
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.
Teacher tip
You could print the short snippets of extracts out for students to annotate. Make sure to emphasise that lots can be said about one word - that's the beauty of close-textual analysis.
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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When was 'Jane Eyre' published?
Q2.What impression were we given of the red-room in 'Jane Eyre'?
Q3.Which of the following colours are considered to be Gothic colours?
Q4.Which weather might be expect to see in Gothic texts?
Q5.Who is Mr Rochester in 'Jane Eyre'?
Q6.Complete the sentence: The novel 'Jane Eyre' is written from a person perspective.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How is Thornfield described in Chapter 12 of 'Jane Eyre'?
Q2.Complete the sentence: In Chapter 12 of 'Jane Eyre', Brontë the "crimson" sun with the "pale moon" to create a Gothic setting.
Q3.Which of the following would we not expect to see in a Gothic setting?
Q4.What is the effect of Brontë using the moon in her Gothic setting in Chapter 12?
Q5.What method does Brontë use in the following quotation from Chapter 12 of 'Jane Eyre'? "On the hill-top above me sat the rising moon; pale... she looked over Hay..."
Q6.What is the effect of Brontë's word choice "hush" in the quotation from 'Jane Eyre': "it was yet a mile distant, but in the absolute hush I could hear plainly its thin murmurs of life"?
To help you plan your 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 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.