Mystery and suspense in Bronte's novel Jane Eyre provide a crucial element to the reader's interpretation of the novel, allowing Bronte to subtly help the reader foreshadow events futures. Bronte successfully creates mystery and suspense in his novel through the use of both plot features and narrative techniques. The features of Bronte's plot that allow her to create mystery and suspense are the esoteric nature of Grace Poole, the soothsayer's visit to Thornfield, the fire in Rochester's bedroom, and the resulting mystery of what is in the ceiling. Bronte's narrative techniques consist of the use of literary symbolism and dreams, both used to convey a gothic and supernatural setting. Through the use of these literary devices, Jane Eyre becomes both kabbalistic and prophetic. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Bronte's character, Grace Poole, is surrounded by a dark haze from the reader's first introduction, an effective device used to create a mysterious atmosphere in the novel. Jane first learns about the occult Grace Poole after hearing her laugh after Mrs. Fairfax showed her the attic. Bronte first creates an atmosphere of mystery through the initial description of the setting. The attic is described by Jane as "black as once" (chapter 11, page 122) and the main passage as "narrow, low, and dark" (chapter 11, page 122). Jane observes all the closed doors, which allows the reader to interpret Thornfield's third story as inaccessible and isolated, perhaps intentionally trying to hide something, very comparable to "Bluebeard's Castle" (chapter 11, page 122) where behind the locked door doors was hidden the deadly secret of the castle. The laughter Jane hears is described by Jane as "a curious laugh; distinct, formal, mirthless" (chapter 11, page 122). The peculiarity of the laughter, of not being cheerful or happy, perplexes Jane as well as the reader, suggesting that the origin of the laughter is not of the typical type. Jane's curiosity leads her to ask Mrs. Fairfax the origin of the laughter. Mrs. Fairfax's vague response does not satisfy Jane, even less so after hearing the laughter once again, it being "as tragic and unearthly a laugh as any I have ever heard" (chapter 11, page 123). The fact that another curious remark made by Jane is again vaguely answered, after which the topic of conversation is soon changed only adds to the suspense of the incident. After the fire in Rochester's bedroom, Jane observes Grace Poole in the room the next day. The circumstances in which this happens are largely normal. It is morning and Grace is dressed in her usual attire, her expression showing "none of the pallor or desperation one would expect to see on the face of a woman who attempted murder" (chapter 16, page 176). Its extreme ordinariness pushes the reader to think beyond its outward appearance, while at the same time adding to the suspense of the situation. Bronte again uses Grace Poole's seemingly obvious normality in contrast to her previous mysterious descriptions to further develop the suspense surrounding her character as Jane tells Rochester about her dream of the unknown figure in her closet tearing away her wedding veil. Jane's fear is momentarily assuaged by Rochester's "solution to the mystery" (chapter 25, page 319) in a way that does not even remotely satisfy the reader's curiosity due to theJane's vivid description of the event and her terrifying fear. Bronte uses Grace Poole to create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense through vivid descriptions of the ghostly atmosphere she exudes whenever she is present, as well as a contrasting ordinariness that further forces the reader to see Grace Poole in the light of an "enigmatic character" (chapter 16, page 178). Bronte's use of a fortune teller at Thornfield allows her to add mystery and suspense through the mystical and strange nature of fortune tellers of the time. Bronte initially creates a suspenseful atmosphere through Jane's observation; “and the Sibyl – if Sibyl were” (chapter 19, page 221) which suggests to the reader that her character is perhaps dubious and may not be what she seems at first glance. The reader is made eager to learn about our heroine's fortune through Jane's apathetic indifference to whether or not he is read; "I don't care, mother; but you may be content" (chapter 19, page 221). Perhaps the most mysterious and suspenseful aspect of the plot is the fortune teller's accurate account of Jane's situation; "You are cold, because you are alone: ​​no contact lights up the fire that is within you. You are sick; because the best of feelings, the highest and sweetest given to man, is kept away from you. You are foolish, because , no matter how much you suffer, you will not wave him closer or move a step to meet him where he waits for you." (chapter 19, page 222). This description of Jane's circumstances forces the reader to trust the source, being quite accurate, but it also creates suspense as to what will become of Jane and Rochester, of which the reader is well aware that this is what the fortune teller is alluding to. At the mention of the enigmatic Grace Poole, both Jane and the reader are surprised. The reader is drawn back into the abstruseness of the situation through the fortune teller's surprising knowledge of Jane's habits, and even more by his subtle but discernible search for something. type of information, neither the reader nor Jane knows exactly what he wants to hear, yet this increases the suspense in our desire to know. When the subject of Mr. Rochester is brought up, it seems that the fortune teller has struck a chord with her. However, it is the revelation of his impending marriage that most interests the reader. A climax of suspense and mystery is reached when Rochester comes out of his disguise. While the disclosure of his identity could be said to have somewhat solved the mystery, it is even more accurate to say that this revelation simply added to the mystery, its yet-to-be-discovered purpose. Rochester's apparent disturbance at the knowledge of Mason's residence in Thornfield provokes the reader's attention, creating suspense about his purpose and future events. Bronte leaves the reader uncomfortable with Jane's closing comment; "the cheerful tones calmed my heart" (chapter 19, page 230). The reader knows well that these will not be nights of peaceful sleep. Bronte managed to create tension and suspense about the upcoming events, which are almost certainly tragic. The fire in Rochester's bedroom not only creates a sense of mystery regarding Thornfield, but also alerts the reader to the enigma of what is in the attic. Before the fire, Bronte creates a supernatural and spooky setting; "the night was terribly dark; my mood was depressed" (chapter 15, page 167). The silence of the "vague murmur, peculiar and mournful" (chapter 15, page 167) and Jane's anxious heart create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. Bronte creates a very horror story-like setting through Jane's descriptions; "The door of my room was touched; as if fingers had groped for itpanels along the dark outer gallery" (chapter 15, page 167). Very effective in adding tension to the situation is Jane's frequent calming down; "The idea [that the sound might be Pilot] calmed me down a little: I lay down. Silence composes the nerves" (chapter 15, page 167) which is finally followed by another startling sound, even more frightening than the previous one; a dream had just approached my ear, which fled in fright, frightened by a rather cold accident in the marrow " (chapter 15, page 168). Jane's response to the laughter ringing at her bedroom door disturbs the reader; "my first impulse was to get up and tighten the latch" (chapter 15, page 168). Jane's continued reference to the origin of laughter as "something" and not "someone" alerts the reader to the nature of this origin. Bronte once again establishes suspenseful tension, this time through Jane's preoccupation with fire and her momentary disdain for laughter that the reader is eager to hear more of. After putting out the fire, Rochester decides to "pay a visit to the third floor" (chapter 15, page 170). Rochester's instructions to Jane not to move or call for anyone alerts the reader to impending danger. As time passes the atmosphere in which Jane sits calms down, no noises are heard and the night becomes cold. Rochester returns, in a similarly calm state, making the reader uncomfortable. The fact that Rochester does not say more on the subject of the fire adds to the suspense, his vague answers bringing no satisfaction. As the suspense of impending danger fades, a new suspense builds, the last of Jane's unresolved feelings for Rochester and their consequences. Bronte's use of literary symbolism is a highly effective means by which he is able to subtly warn and inform his readers of impending events. to establish a certain degree of suspense in the novel. After Jane accepts Rochester's marriage proposal, Jane tells her readers that the large horse chestnut tree at the bottom of the orchard had been struck by lightning in the middle of the night, half of which had been split open; "I faced the wreck of the chestnut tree; it stood black and rent: the trunk, split down the middle, was gaping hideously" (chapter 25, page 309), a clear reference to the separation of Jane and Rochester. In Ferndean on Jane and Rochester's unity, Rochester refers to himself as; "no better than the old chestnut tree struck by lightning in Thornfield's orchard" (chapter 37, page 493), yet Jane assures him that "the plants will grow round your roots" (chapter 37, page 493), this being a clear warning providential for their future children. Another source of suspense for the reader is the ballad of Bessie in Gateshead in which "a poor orphan child" (chapter 3, page 29) is described as wandering the moors thinking he is "hard-hearted" (chapter 3, page 29). men. This is a direct prophecy of Jane's wanderings after leaving Rochester before her arrival at Moor House. The ballad describes the presence of God who is with the orphaned child, just as Jane remembered God during her wanderings and struggle for survival. Shortly before his planned marriage to Jane, Rochester plays a love song for Jane in which many symbols and prophecies can be found. The song describes a man whose lover's "parting was my sorrow" (chapter 24, page 304), alluding to Jane's impending escape from Thornfield. The man pressed her “As blindly as greedily,” a subtle but later obvious reference to Rochester's blindness. At the end of the song Rochester sings how "My love laid his little hand with noble faith in mine, and swore that the sacred bond of marriage..