Exploring Sexual Desire in 'Jane Eyre'

In 'Jane Eyre', desire is subtly depicted. It's intertwined with the characters' emotions and actions, reflecting Victorian era constraints and Brontë's own nuanced views on passion and propriety.

Jane's desire is not overtly sexual but deeply emotional. Her passion grows through intellectual and emotional connections, challenging Victorian norms of female sexuality and desire.

Mr. Rochester embodies a raw, more overt sexual desire, which was unusual for a Victorian male protagonist. This contrasts with the era's typical restraint, offering a complex view of masculinity.

Bertha Mason represents repressed sexual desires. Her portrayal as 'mad' reflects societal fears of female sexuality and the consequences of its repression in the Victorian age.

Brontë uses fire and ice imagery to symbolize desire and repression. Fire represents passion and warmth in relationships, while ice symbolizes emotional desolation and unfulfilled desire.

Much of Jane's desire is conveyed through subtext and symbolism, such as the chestnut tree split by lightning, symbolizing both the power and the divide of their passions.

Sexual desire advances the plot and deepens characterization. It's not gratuitous but serves to challenge societal norms and explore the inner lives of Brontë's characters.