Throughout Rhys' narrative, skin color plays a critical role as it represents a strong demarcation factor between the native Jamaicans and the white Creoles such as Bertha and eventually leads to hostility between the two groups. It should be noted that Jamaica was inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Taino peoples, who were lighter skinned. However, in 1494. Christopher Columbus arrived on Jamaica and most of the natives died thereafter as the result of violence and communicable diseases introduced by the Spanish.
On page 61, Bronte mentions young woman wearing "grey beaver hats appointed with ostrich plumes". According to Wikipedia, beaver hats were popular in Europe from 1550-1850, but during the nineteenth century, the demand to decorate woman's hats with ostrich plumes rose dramatically, providing support for the timeline within which Jane Eyre takes place. Additionally, on page 86, while Jane's carriage stops at George's Inn in Millcote, she mentions the inn being decorate with a portrait of George III and Prince Albert.
