Cold and Ice

Cold and Ice

"How different had this scene looked when I viewed it laid out beneath the iron sky of winter, stiffened in frost, shrouded with snow!-- when mists as chill as death wandered to the impulse of east winds..." (pg. 76)

Just like with heat and fire, cold and ice are important symbols of Jane Eyre. Whereas heat and fire are associated with positive action and feeling, ice and cold are equated with more negative things, especially the absence of feeling or life. When Jane is stuck at Gateshead, she often looks outside at the barren and cold landscape and feels even more utterly alone. Even when she leaves Gateshead for Lowood, ice and cold confront her there, shown in the cold weather and icy conditions of the dormitory. The contrast between these two motifs show the contrast Bronte wishes to emphasize between Jane and world that opposes her. Jane is the fire, for she is alive and feels things, while the harsh world is represented by ice and cold for it feels very little and cares not for the feelings of Jane or others.