How Jane Eyre drew on Revelation
A documented line of influence: Charlotte Brontë demonstrably engaged John’s work. The commentary below is Gröblé’s, verbatim from each work’s page.
The source
Revelation
John · c. 95
BibleThe influenced
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë · 1847
The Age of the NovelRelevance
6/10
On Jane Eyre’s page
- Jane Eyre ends on the Bible's ending — St John Rivers quoting Revelation 22:20, "even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
- Brontë reaches for Revelation's apocalyptic register to characterize the men who try to claim Jane: Brocklehurst, Rochester, St John
- Reading it first sharpens that closing note — Brontë borrows the weight of scripture's last word to seal her novel
On Revelation’s page
- Brontë gives Jane Eyre the Bible's own last words
- The novel closes on St John Rivers quoting Revelation 22:20 — "Amen; even so, come, Lord Jesus!" — the final line of scripture as the final line of the book
- Its apocalyptic imagery also stalks the men around Jane: Brocklehurst, Rochester, and St John each take their measure from Revelation