Chapter 1

People: 

• Jane Eyre
• Mrs. Reed
• John Reed
• Georgiana Reed
• Abbot
• Bessie

How does the protagonist, Jane, relate to these relate to these people?
- She has no positive relationship with any of them, it appears she is the outcast in the house.

Places:

1. Why does the scene in the drawing room exclude Jane?
• The drawing room is only intended for those "happy little children" and yet living under Mrs. Reed, there was no way Jane would ever qualify as one. The room could also stand as a sense of unity between the family wherein Jane is not permitted entrance.
2. Why does Jane seek the window seat in the breakfast room?
• Jane is immediately drawn to the window as she looks out at the world that she has yet to know. Like a bird from her book, she longs to be freed of the clutches of the Reed family. Unfortunately, the closest Jane is to freedom is by being next to the window yearning for what she does not have.

Summary:

• Jane Eyre is a little girl that is outcasted from her family.  One cold and rainy day, Jane was not admitted into the drawing room with her cousins and aunt.  Her aunt, Mrs. Reed would not permit Jane to join the rest of the family, because she disapproved of Jane’s manner.  Jane occupied herself by reading a book about birds next to the window in the breakfast room.  She sat by the windows with drapes pulled about her while thinking of melancholy places. In the midst of reading her cousin, John Reed, comes into the room to look for Jane.  His sister, Eliza Reed, informs him that Jane is probably at the window.  Jane comes out from her place by the window, because she is afraid of John.  When Jane asks John why he is looking for her, John becomes infuriated that she does not address him as her master.  When he learns that she had been reading his anger increases since he feels Jane has no right to read his family’s book.  Therefore, he throws the book at Jane.  As a result, she injures her head. Jane’s rage causes her to identify John as being similar to a brutal Roman emperor.  Her remark causes John to start a brawl.  Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Reed’s daughters, and the servants come into the room to discover the fight.  Jane is blamed for the fight and sent to the red-room as a punishment.  As in the How to Read Like a Professor, the stormy weather reflects the turmoil of Jane’s life on that day.  

Personal Reaction:

1. How do you feel about the way that Jane Eyre is treated at Gateshead Hall?

• Her treatment at Gateshead Hall is like that of a servant or slave. Although she is not connected by blood, she is still a member of the family but is not treated as one. Without any immediate family, the introduction of Jane Eyre living among physically and emotionally abusive figures elicits sympathy for the young girl. It is obvious she is alone, left without anyone to talk to or confide in. (Monica)
• The way in which Jane's family treat her is unfair.  When John provokes Jane by his cruelty, she is unable to defend herself.  The lack of family support makes her a pitiful figure.  (Nicole)
• I think Jane's treatment at Gateshead Hall is extremely harsh. She is treated as if she is of absolutely no significance in the home. however, i think the Reeds know that she is more passionate and thriving than they will ever be. this leaves them feeling inferior and are only able to suppress it by abusing Jane.  (Gloria)
• (Ryan): I feel like it is Harry Potter all over again. But on a serious note, i think she is being mistreated and oppressed of being able to do anything. Her "family" and the helpers are all cruel to her and treat her almost as if she was not human. They do not care or consider her feelings.
• haha ryan, don't you think harry potter is copying jane eyre? not the other way around? hmmm but you could also connect this point to other biblical allusions, but I digress... I am only in awe of Jane's tolerence threshold. I highly disagree with the fact that everyone knows about Jane's treatment but never does anything to stop it. (Becca)

2. React especially to the last paragraph of chapter 1: "Take her away..." What questions immediately come to mind?

• In the last paragraph, Jane Eyre is sent off and "[taken]...away" to the "red-room". What is the red-room and what about it is so bad that it is considered a punishment? It's name in itself sends the message that perhaps it is in connection with death solely because of the color red. The name also makes me think that maybe unlike an all white room where mentally unstable patients are taken, this so-called "red room" is so painfully red that it inhibits a sort of unbearable vibe, possibly justifying its reason to be considered a punishment. (Monica)
• As a result of reading the last question, I had questions about the red-room.  Why is the red-room a punishment? How long would she be locked in the red-room? What occupies the red-room?  Does the room have red walls? Is the room a bedroom? Is the room an unpleasant place? The last paragraph does not specify anything about the room other than its capability to be locked.  Therefore, the lack of information on the red-room instigated questions about the setting. (Nicole)
• The question that immediately comes to mind is what is so bad about the red-room. Moreover, I am also questioning how the room came to be deemed as a punishment. Does the red-room resemble a cell considering Jane is being escorted like a prisoner?  (Gloria) 
• (Ryan): The first question that had risen in my mind when i read this was why Jane was going to be punished and sent away when she was not the one responsible for what happened. Then I realized that this story will probably be along the lines of Cinderella or similar to it where the outlier in the family is mistreated and unwanted. on the contrary, it also made me think, why are all the members of the family mean to her?
• I feel that Jane is not treated like the squatter her aunt perceives her to be, there seems to be more hate behind Mrs. Reeds actions that therefore causes her to treat Jane like a prisoner. She is sent off to a room for speaking her mind and defending herself, a completlety logical response, so is there something about this room or Jane that is so horrid? How long has this house been in the family? Was it Jane's grandfathers or Mrs. Reeds? (Becca)

Vocabulary
1.)"That is for your impudence in answering mamma a while since"

•     Impudence: The state of lacking modesty 

2.)" Becalmed the torpid sea"

•     Torpid: having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling

3.)" That I was endeavoring in good earnest"

•      Endeavoring: Enterprise; purposeful industrious undertaking

4.)"Thick lineaments in a spacious visage"

•     Visage: the face, countenance, or appearance of a person or sometimes an animal

5.)"Refined idea that John's sallowness was owing to over-application"

•     Sallowness: of a grayish greenish yellow color

6.)"for that time predominated over time"

•     Predominated: to hold advantage in numbers or quantity

7.)"Attesting the hour of eventide"

•     Eventide: the time of evening 

8.)"Saddened by the Chidings of Bessie"

•     Chidings: Rebuking a person harshly

9.)“A more Charming and sprightly manner”

•     Sprightly: Lively, full of energy

10.)“With it clouds so sombre and rain penetrating”

•     Sombre: Lacking brightness of color; drab and dull

Chapter 1

• People: Ryan
• Places: Gloria
• Summary: Nicole
• Personal Reaction: Monica
• Vocabulary: Rebecca