Images of Fire and Heat in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte The essence of any truly magnificent work of literature is not what can be seen in the words. This is what you can see behind the words. It is through the symbolism and imagery found in literary works that a reader can truly connect with the writer. Charlotte Brontë embodies the spirit of “unread but understood” in her Victorian work Jane Eyre. Many essays and theories have been presented examining the symbolism and complex imagery used by Bronte in Jane Eyre. Much of the imagery she uses focuses on passion, fantasy, and the supernatural. In this essay, I will examine Bronte's use of images of fire and heat relating to Mr. Rochester and Jane's romantic relationship. To begin with, images of fire permeate Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre's relationship from beginning to end. Since the passionate love between Rochester and Jane was sinful, it was accompanied by images of fire and burning. This may possibly be a picture of hell. For example, when Rochester was trying to convince Jane to stay with him despite the fact that he was married, he described what he expected from her reaction: "I was ready to face a shower of hot tears... but I deceive... your heart has I cried blood." This image of hot rain and crying blood lends itself to an image of punishment. Likewise, when Jane showed signs of fatigue, he carried her in his arms until to her room, holding her tightly As a result of his “sinful” touches, Jane’s senses were dulled, “everything was cloudy to my glazed view Yet when he placed her in front of the fireplace to warm herself. felt invigorated. "I felt the invigorating warmth of a fire". Here the fire purified Jane from her stupor. This awakened her consciousness to what Rochester... middle of paper...... ns, "it was a just judgment against him for having kept his first marriage a secret and for wanting to take another wife while he had one alive." ". So Jane and Rochester came together and each turned out to be reborn, Jane after going through her final period of personal and spiritual growth, and Rochester after confronting his vices and renouncing his sinful nature. In conclusion, the concept of fire used by Charlotte Brontë in Jane Eyre cleanses, foreshadows, strengthens and awakens Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester Brontë has tempered the passionate nature of his novel by continually revealing that passionate sinful emotions only lead to ruin Jane and. Rochester were subjected to emotional and spiritual purgatory for their immorality. They were only given comfort after achieving spiritual rebirth. Work cited by Jane Eyre., 1991