Jane Eyre Chapter 15 Excerpt: And was Mr. Rochester now ugly in my eyes? No, reader: gratitude, and many associations, all pleasurable and genial, made his face the object I best liked to see; his presence in a room was more cheering than the brightest fire. Yet I had not forgotten his faults; indeed, I could not, for he brought them frequently before me. He was proud, sardonic, harsh to the inferiority of every description: in my secret soul I knew that his great kindness to me was balanced by unjust severity to many others. He was moody, too; unaccountably so; I more than once, when sent for to read to him, found him sitting in his library alone, with his head bent on his folded arms; and, when he looked up, a morose, almost a malig- nant, scowl blackened his features. But I believed that his moodiness, his harshness, and his former faults of moral- ity (I say FORMER, for now he seemed corrected of them) had their source in some cruel cross of fate. I believed he was naturally a man of better tendencies, higher principles, and purer tastes than such as circumstances had developed, education instilled, or destiny encouraged. I thought there were excellent materials in him; though for the present they hung together somewhat spoiled and tangled. I cannot deny that I grieved for his grief, whatever that was, and would have given much to assuage it. Though I had now extinguished my candle and was laid down in bed, I could not sleep for thinking of his look when he paused in the avenue, and told how his destiny had risen up before him, and dared him to be happy at Thornfield. ‘Why not?’ I asked myself. ‘What alienates him from the house? Will he leave it again soon? Mrs. Fairfax said he sel- dom stayed here longer than a fortnight at a time; and he has now been resident eight weeks. If he does go, the change will be doleful. Suppose he should be absent spring, sum- mer, and autumn: how joyless sunshine and fine days will seem!’ I hardly know whether I had slept or not after this musing; at any rate, I started wide awake on hearing a vague mur- mur, peculiar and lugubrious, which sounded, I thought, just above me. I wished I had kept my candle burning: the night was drearily dark; my spirits were depressed. I rose and sat up in bed, listening. The sound was hushed. I tried again to sleep; but my heart beat anxiously: my inward tranquillity was broken. The clock, far down in the hall, struck two. Just then it seemed my chamber-door was touched; as if fingers had swept the panels in groping a way along the dark gallery outside. I said, ‘Who is there?’ Nothing answered. I was chilled with fear. All at once I remembered that it might be Pilot, who, when the kitchen-door chanced to be left open, not unfrequently found his way up to the threshold of Mr. Rochester’s chamber: I had seen him lying there myself in the morn- ings. The idea calmed me somewhat: I lay down. Silence composes the nerves; and as an unbroken hush now reigned again through the whole house, I began to feel the return of slumber. But it was not fated that I should sleep that night. A dream had scarcely approached my ear, when it fled af- frighted, scared by a marrow-freezing incident enough. This was a demoniac laugh—low, suppressed, and deep— uttered, as it seemed, at the very keyhole of my chamber door. The head of my bed was near the door, and I thought at first the goblin-laugher stood at my bedside—or rather, crouched by my pillow: but I rose, looked round, and could see nothing; while, as I still gazed, the unnatural sound was reiterated: and I knew it came from behind the panels. My first impulse was to rise and fasten the bolt; my next, again to cry out, ‘Who is there?’ Something gurgled and moaned. Ere long, steps retreated up the gallery towards the third-storey staircase: a door had lately been made to shut in that staircase; I heard it open and close, and all was still. ‘Was that Grace Poole? and is she possessed with a dev- il?’ thought I. Impossible now to remain longer by myself: I must go to Mrs. Fairfax. I hurried on my frock and a shawl; I withdrew the bolt and opened the door with a trembling hand. There was a candle burning just outside, and on the matting in the gallery. I was surprised at this circumstance: but still more was I amazed to perceive the air quite dim, as if filled with smoke; and, while looking to the right hand and left, to find whence these blue wreaths issued, I became further aware of a strong smell of burning. Something creaked: it was a door ajar; and that door was Mr. Rochester’s, and the smoke rushed in a cloud from thence. I thought no more of Mrs. Fairfax; I thought no more of Grace Poole, or the laugh: in an instant, I was with- in the chamber. Tongues of flame darted round the bed: the curtains were on fire. In the midst of blaze and vapour, Mr. Rochester lay stretched motionless, in deep sleep. ‘Wake! wake!’ I cried. I shook him, but he only mur- mured and turned: the smoke had stupefied him. Not a moment could be lost: the very sheets were kindling, I rushed to his basin and ewer; fortunately, one was wide and the other deep, and both were filled with water. I heaved them up, deluged the bed and its occupant, flew back to my own room, brought my own water-jug, baptized the couch afresh, and, by God’s aid, succeeded in extinguishing the flames which were devouring it. The hiss of the quenched element, the breakage of a pitcher which I flung from my hand when I had emptied it, and, above all, the splash of the shower-bath I had liberally bestowed, roused Mr. Rochester at last. Though it was now dark, I knew he was awake, because I heard him fulminating- ing strange anathemas at finding himself lying in a pool of water. Excerpt Analysis: The journey of falling in love is never easy. One can find oneself lost in another person’s life, completely negating their plight. On the contrary, one can also find peace within a potential partner and relinquish in shared happiness. In the case of “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, a journey of love can be stifled when morality and desires are placed in the mix. Brontë uses various imagery to convey Jane’s passionate yet obstructive feelings towards Edward Rochester, revealing how feminism can reshape how love is presented in a romantic novel. When Jane saves Rochester from the burning bed, instead of seeking help, she embodies a feminist perspective on strength and morality. Jane was curious about Rochester from the moment they met. The more they saw each other, the more Jane began to take in his presence, which to her “was more cheering than the brightest fire.” However, she knew that she could never pursue him romantically, even though “his great kindness to me was balanced” compared to others. Jane follows principles set in stone by the Ethics of Intuitionism, which essentially states that the good will of humans is followed by moral law, and if that law is expected to be delivered, it is a duty of the person who follows it to do so. Jane’s “moral law” was shaped by Lowood school and her Aunt Reed, both of whom equally taught her to accept what she could and not disturb the balance of society. So, naturally, when Jane became a governess, she knew Rochester would not pursue, at least at first, so she kept her feelings at bay. But, seeing Rochester in a burning bed, she got water from his basin and “heaved them up, delayed the bed and its occupant.” This action not only reverses the damsel in distress trope, which is externally feminist, but also goes against her flawed moral law. See, Jane can not envision Thornfield without Rochester, even saying that “sunshine and fine days” will seem joyless without him, so seeing his fate in the balance was more motivation to put her principles aside. This is feminism because it shows a sacrifice made by a woman on her own accord, while also appreciating the tiniest gestures as they bring pleasure. Through saving Rochester from the burning bed, Jane finds pleasure in her reasoning being transformed. According to the philosophy of Qualitative Hedonism, a person’s pleasure is not only measured by duration, amount of quality, but also by how it affects their well-being. Jane models this ideology with her surprise heroinism. After falling asleep, she awakens upon hearing “a vague murmur” during a particular night. She tries to sleep once more but finds it impossible amidst “a demonic laugh… as it seemed, at the very key hole of my chamber door.” After going up a “ere long” staircase, she was surprised to find a “candle burning just outside, and on the matting in the gallery.“ When she saw a cloud of smoke at Rochester’s door, she stopped thinking about help or the laugh just about saving him from the “tongues of flame…that…dorted round the bed.” When Mr. Rochester awakens after Jane saves him, she fetches him some dry clothes and tells him about the events that led her to him. Having a small conversation brings Jane value because it shows how her input is appreciated and necessary, which goes against her moral high ground, owning and vocalizing what brings her pleasure. In conclusion, love and sense of self go hand in hand, one cannot exist without the other. This is executed by Bronte through these categorized images. Through the visualization of love, feminism, gothic, and fire elements, Bronte is showcasing the growth of Jane. Fleshing her out with depth, wants and needs, setting up her love story by creating a notion that was unheard of at the time. Ultimately, Bronte used imagery to show Jane’s complex humanity in a time where making it visible was not always forgiven.

Receiving a scholarship for fine arts can have a significant impact on my academic and artistic journey. One of the most important benefits is financial support. As an upcoming media arts major, I will need expensive equipment such as cameras, lenses, lights, and digital software for editing. A scholarship can help cover these rigorous costs, allowing me to focus more on developing my craft rather than worrying about how to afford these materials or covering my college tuition at Wichita State University, to really take advantage of the facilities that it has to offer. An example would be Shocker Studios, an off-campus building made especially for digital arts majors. Everything from green screens, video/audio equipment, and editing software can be used to create all kinds of different projects of video: shorts, commercials, shows, and films, etc. In addition to easing financial pressure, this scholarship can often provide access to greater opportunities. Some programs offer mentorship, workshops, and networking events that will connect me to achieving my goal of becoming a cinematographer. These experiences can open doors to upstanding professionalism and build valuable professional relationships. For example, receiving this scholarship would assist in my attendance at a private film screening, an experience that I might not afford otherwise and that would deprive me of life-changing connections. My ultimate plan for the future is to own my own production company and become a well-known figure in the digital media space. I aspire to create a movement amongst young filmmakers to chase their dreams and follow their intuition, while bringing people together in the process. But, most importantly, I aim to share my vision not only to inform, but also to entertain an audience while simultaneously provoking emotion within them. Moreover, receiving a scholarship serves as recognition of my talent and potential. This validation can boost my confidence and inspire me to continue pursuing my goals and long-standing aspirations. Knowing that others believe in my ability can be a powerful motivator. Ultimately, a scholarship enables me to dedicate more time to creating and learning. Without the need for multiple part-time jobs, I can fully engage in filmmaking, experiment with new techniques, and improve my portfolio. In conclusion, a fine arts scholarship offers financial relief, recognition, and valuable opportunities, all of which contribute to my inevitable growth and success in the TV/Film Industry, as well as give more confidence to believe in my ability to achieve my goals.

Receiving a scholarship for fine arts can have a significant impact on my academic and artistic journey. One of the most important benefits is financial support. As an upcoming media arts major, I will need expensive equipment such as cameras, lenses, lights, and digital software for editing. A scholarship can help cover these rigorous costs, allowing me to focus more on developing my craft rather than worrying about how to afford these materials or covering my college tuition at Wichita State University, to really take advantage of the facilities that it has to offer. An example would be Shocker Studios, an off-campus building made especially for digital arts majors. Everything from green screens, video/audio equipment, and editing software can be used to create all kinds of different projects of video: shorts, commercials, shows, and films, etc. In addition to easing financial pressure, this scholarship can often provide access to greater opportunities. Some programs offer mentorship, workshops, and networking events that will connect me to achieving my goal of becoming a cinematographer. These experiences can open doors to upstanding professionalism and build valuable professional relationships. For example, receiving this scholarship would assist in my attendance at a private film screening, an experience that I might not afford otherwise and that would deprive me of life-changing connections. My ultimate plan for the future is to own my own production company and become a well-known figure in the digital media space. I aspire to create a movement amongst young filmmakers to chase their dreams and follow their intuition, while bringing people together in the process. But, most importantly, I aim to share my vision not only to inform, but also to entertain and provoke emotion in the audience. Moreover, receiving a scholarship serves as recognition of my talent and potential. This validation can boost my confidence and inspire me to continue pursuing my goals and long-standing aspirations. Knowing that others believe in my ability can be a powerful motivator. Ultimately, a scholarship enables me to dedicate more time to creating and learning. Without the need for multiple part-time jobs, I can fully engage in filmmaking, experiment with new techniques, and improve my portfolio. In conclusion, a fine arts scholarship offers financial relief, recognition, and valuable opportunities, all of which contribute to my inevitable growth and success in the TV/Film Industry, as well as give more confidence to believe in my ability to achieve my long-standing goals.

Since I first picked up a camera, I’ve seen the world not just as it is, but as it could be. As a child, I always saw film as a universal language that connects people, while providing a space for imagination and creativity. My inspiration came from Oprah Winfrey, who was the first black woman to own her network. As a young child, it was important for me to see someone who looks like me in front of the camera and telling stories that connected us all. I was also inspired by Walt Disney. He made a profound impact on the world through animation, and from an early age—like myself—he knew exactly what he wanted to be and pursued his dream unapologetically. Filmmaking lets me tell stories that spark emotion and linger long after the credits roll. My goal is to become a professional cinematographer—someone who doesn’t just point the camera, but paints with light and motion to shape how stories are felt. With a high school 3.9 GPA, I’ve balanced rigorous academics. I also attended Tulsa Tech during my junior and senior years of high school to further hone my skills, gaining hands-on experience in editing, video production, and scriptwriting. During my junior year, I used earnings from my summer job to pay for a filmmaking camp offered by Oklahoma State University in my hometown—the first of its kind to come to our city, and I was determined to be part of it. There, I saw how art and creativity intersected, and I discovered the value of surrounding myself with fellow creators who share my passion. We produced a short film in less than two weeks, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the fast-paced, collaborative nature of filmmaking. That time strengthened both my technical foundation and my ability to bring ideas to life with a crew..Outside of the classroom, I’ve found fulfillment in working directly with my community. I’ve volunteered with the Terence Crutcher Foundation, helping support marginalized communities through education and civic engagement. As I knocked on doors in the community, I encountered so many people who had their own stories of struggle, triumph, and perseverance. That work taught me that storytelling doesn’t only happen behind the camera—it happens when you’re boots on the ground, immersed in the lives and voices of others. These experiences showed me how even small moments of support can empower others to grow—and reminded me that storytelling begins with understanding and connection. It is my goal always to remember where I come from and to amplify voices by telling stories through film that evoke both emotion and thought. I want everyone to be able to identify with the stories that I tell. I think now more than ever, its important to tell stories that will keep us humanly connected. This scholarship will help me pursue a degree in film production, expanding my technical mastery while collaborating with other passionate storytellers. I’m ready to transform my passion into purpose—behind the camera, but always at the heart of the story.

Since I first picked up a camera, I’ve seen the world not just as it is, but as it could be. As a child, I always saw film as a universal language that connects people, while providing a space for imagination and creativity. My inspiration came from Oprah Winfrey, who was the first black woman own her network. As a young child, it was important for me to see someone who looks like me in front of the camera and telling stories that connected us all. I also was inspired by Walt Disney. He made a profound impact on the world through animation, and from an early age—like myself—he knew exactly what he wanted to be and pursued his dream unapologetically. Filmmaking lets me tell stories that spark emotion and linger long after the credits roll. My goal is to become a professional cinematographer—someone who doesn’t just point the camera, but paints with light and motion to shape how stories are felt. With a high school 3.9 GPA, I’ve balanced rigorous academics. I also attended Tulsa Tech during my junior and senior years of high school to further hone my skills—gaining hands-on experience in editing, video production, and scriptwriting. During my junior year, I used earnings from my summer job to pay for a filmmaking camp offered by Oklahoma State University in my hometown—the first of its kind to come to our city, and I was determined to be part of it. There, I saw how art and creativity intersected, and I discovered the value of surrounding myself with fellow creators who share my passion. We produced a short film in less than two weeks, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the fast-paced, collaborative nature of filmmaking. That time strengthened both my technical foundation and my ability to bring ideas to life with a crew..Outside of the classroom, I’ve found fulfillment in working directly with my community. I’ve volunteered with the Terence Crutcher Foundation, helping support marginalized communities through education and civic engagement. As I knocked on doors in the community, I encountered so many people who had their own stories of struggle, triumph, and perseverance. That work taught me that storytelling doesn’t only happen behind the camera—it happens when you’re boots on the ground, immersed in the lives and voices of others. These experiences showed me how even small moments of support can empower others to grow—and reminded me that storytelling begins with understanding and connection. It is my goal always to remember where I come from and to amplify voices by telling stories through film that evoke both emotion and thought. I want everyone to be able to identify with the stories that I tell. I believe now more than ever, it's important to tell stories that will keep us humanly connected. This scholarship will help me pursue a degree in film production, expanding my technical mastery while collaborating with other passionate storytellers. I’m ready to transform my passion into purpose—behind the camera, but always at the heart of the story.

Since I first picked up a camera, I’ve seen the world not just as it is, but as it could be. As a child, I always saw film as a universal language that connects people, while providing a space for imagination and creativity. My inspiration came from Disney movies and the visionary behind them, Walt Disney. He made a profound impact on the world through animation, and from an early age—like myself—he knew exactly what he wanted to be and pursued his dream unapologetically. Filmmaking lets me tell stories that spark emotion and linger long after the credits roll. My goal is to become a professional cinematographer—someone who doesn’t just point the camera, but paints with light and motion to shape how stories are felt. With a 3.9 GPA, I’ve balanced rigorous academics with immersive creative work, often directing and editing short films that explore powerful themes and imaginative storytelling. I also attended Tulsa Tech during my junior and senior years of high school to further hone my skills—gaining hands-on experience in editing, video production, and scriptwriting, while learning how to be a contributing team member in collaborative film projects. During my junior year, I used earnings from my summer job to pay for a filmmaking camp offered by Oklahoma State University in my hometown—the first of its kind to come to our city, and I was determined to be part of it. There, I saw how art and creativity intersect, and I discovered the value of surrounding myself with fellow creators who share my passion. We produced a short film in less than two weeks, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the fast-paced, collaborative nature of filmmaking. That time strengthened both my technical foundation and my ability to bring ideas to life with a crew.Outside of the classroom, I’ve found fulfillment in working directly with young learners. Like the late Mrs. Diane Amandt, I believed in helping young students by volunteering my time. For several summers, I served as a reading tutor for students in grades 1 through 4, helping them strengthen their literacy skills and build confidence. These experiences showed me how even small moments of support can empower others to grow—and reminded me that storytelling begins with understanding and connection. This scholarship will help me pursue a degree in film production, expanding my technical mastery while collaborating with other passionate storytellers. I’m ready to transform my passion into purpose—behind the camera, but always at the heart of the story.

Since I was a little girl, stories have been a part of my life, from short stories to comics and even sometimes biographies. I would find myself getting lost in the pages of the universe that a book was communicating to me. Over the years, these individual narratives became an outlet of escapism for me due to my struggles with stuttering growing up. Having a speech impediment made it difficult to communicate with my peers initially. It made me shy, reserved, and even closed off at times. Thus, books provided a new perspective in my life via the characters' arcs and the relatability I felt to them. For example, a book I read was about a 13-year-old girl who struggled with her body image and, towards the end, learned to accept herself as she is. That stuck with me as a child and helped me realize my worth, as I too was going through that experience at the time. In addition, reading books also gave me the vision to create visual stories from my mind, to curate the narratives onto a big screen in the most authentic way. According to a Healthline article posted in 2019, reading books can promote and foster empathy by looking into different perspectives and possibly discovering something new about ourselves. This principle is also something that the film/TV industry was founded on and should always be the standard for it, even with all the changes that have happened over the past years. However, most importantly, I value books because of the human values within them, through the characters, arcs, and overall themes, from the comparisons of a simple metaphor or simile, to the vast takeaways from world-building, to even the simplest imagery. Books can always find a way to bring something into your life, without even knowing that it was needed. Overall, books are essential to the human experience as they can help us grow mentally, personally, and spiritually. Books provide a challenge and a beacon for new knowledge through the linking of new cultures and points of view. They can also give a much-deserved voice to those who don't often communicate verbally. Referring back to me, books have helped me realize how small-minded I had been before and taught me to appreciate what I had been blessed with, using my environment to curate to my needs and hopes. Books have coerced me into trusting my gut when it comes to my future dream career in filmmaking, and my vision to drive the industry forward, without sacrificing its integrity along with mine.

From a young age, I have always had a love for cameras. More specifically, I loved the thought of capturing memories and moments in a time capsule. However, one moment sparked something in me that never dimmed away and that was movies. The film that truly sparked my interest and steered my passion was the adaptation of “Annie”. The lighting, the sets, the story completely locked me in from start to finish. After seeing that movie I had to ask myself again and again how it worked, what's the process and I began to brainstorm and the idea of all those possibilities was endless. At the age of 16, when I enrolled in the TV production program at Tulsa Tech, I was introduced to the concept of cinematography and I fell in love instantly. From that point on, I never strayed away from cinematography because it helped me connect more to digital media. One of my career goals is to become an accredited cinematographer and hope to branch into all scopes of digital media, film, TV, and video games. Cinematography is the most important part of any media project. It sets the tone not only visually, but emotionally. The way a scene is portrayed can completely change the tone of a piece of media. It can make an audience happy, sad, angry, confused, scared, etc. As a Cinematographer, my purpose will be to spark emotion and convey personality by bridging the gap between the audience and talent. I believe every good piece of media should be able to do this. My long term goal is to manage my own production company to expand my perspective into the digital media space. My main inspiration for my goal is Issa Rae, a producer/actress, who has been involved in projects, HBO series Insecure and movie Barbie. I do believe that this is a very ambitious goal and it will not happen overnight and that is why I am prepared to take all the steps necessary to accomplish it. I plan to work hard, take advantage of any opportunity that I have to learn from mentors in the media. The summer leading up to senior year, I used some of the money I saved from my summer job to pay for an opportunity to attend a film camp at Oklahoma State University Tulsa Campus. intend to network with more accomplished people in this field to make my mark in this industry. Finally, I aim to learn more about the business side of the film industry so I can assist in the current direction of film and tv as a whole . Additionally, I am aware that this field runs on the back of creative individuals from previous generations; and how recipients can learn and make new visions that can be passed down for a lifetime. As one of those recipients, I know I can bring a unique and grand academic perspective through this scholarship opportunity and that is why I believe I am the best candidate for it.