Bluebeard

“...like a corridor in some Bluebeard's castle.” (pg. 126)

Bluebeard, or La Barbe Bleu as it was originally titled, is a fairy tale written by Charles Perrault. The tale is about a nobleman, Bluebeard, who marries a young woman against her will. Following their marriage, Bluebeard leaves and gives his new wife the keys to his castle. He forbids her from entering one room in the castle, but once he leaves, she is overcome by curiosity and unlocks the forbidden room. Upon opening the door, she discovers Bluebeard's former wives, all dead. When Bluebeard returns, he knows at once that she has disobeyed him and he threatens to kill her, but she is luckily saved just in time. Bronte references this eerie tale to make a comparison between the young wife and Jane. Jane, who is now employed as a governess, is not yet comfortable with her surroundings and thus feels unnerved as if there were secrets yet to be unearthed. The author also references the tale because of the similarities that Mr. Rochester shares with Bluebeard; Rochester keeps his psychotic wife locked away just as Bluebeard locks his dead wives away. Because of this connection, Rochester is hence looked upon with a negative connotation leading the reader to perceive him as not being the best candidate for Jane's affection. This Bronte may also have referenced this tale because of it's French origin much like Jane's new pupil, Adèle.

"The Annotated Bluebeard." SurLaLune Fairy Tales: Annotated Fairy Tales, Fairy Tale Books and Illustrations. Web. 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/bluebeard/index.html

Bluebeard. Digital image. Web. 29 Nov. 2009. http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images2/oct26_bluebeard_dore.jpg