The Publication of Reil's Theories Regarding Psychiatry and The Psychology of Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre

Submitted by Jacob Dunn on

          Johann Christian Reil, a German psychologist, helped to make a distinction between philosophy and psychology by giving credence to the field of psychology at the time. He is often credited with coining the term "psychiatry" (Schochow, Steger). Psychiatry, in it's most basic interpretation, is essentially treating the mind as something that can be rehabilitated. This would mean that different conditions could be applied to the state of mind that somebody is in, and an intervention process could exist depending on the circumstances.

Heston

Heston is first mentioned in the novel as Margret is looking at an atlas. She is looking at a map of England to find a place for her mother and Dixon to stay while her and her father look for houses in Milton. Margret says that she heard that Heston is a "pleasant little bathing-place" and believes that the ocean air will be good for her mother to calm her before they make the move into Milton. Mrs. Hale and Dixon stay in Heston for about two weeks, which was quite the expenditure for Mr. Hale.

Naples, Italy

In the novel, Margret's Aunt Shaw visits Naples and sends letters to Margret, telling her about her adventures. Later in the story, after Mr. Hale has died and Margret is greatly greiving, Mr. Bell comments on the fact that Mrs. Shaw could go to Naples at an "interesting time," but could not visit Milton to check up on her niece. At the first mention of Naples, Margret is telling her father about her aunts trip to distract him from worrying about Mrs. Hale. The second mention of Naples is used by Mr. Bell to complain about Mrs. Shaw's priorities. 

Plymouth, UK

Plymouth is a city in the southern part of England. It is a port city, and during the Industrial Revolution became a primary commercial port. It is home also to the University of Plymouth. In North and South, it is mentioned as the port from which Edith and her husband embark near the beginning of the novel. Additionally, Mr. Bell, Frederick's godfather, is acknolwedged as being a Fellow of Plymouth College at Oxford. At this point in time, the port was seperate from the town, which was named Devonport, as the two were not combined until 1914.

Mexico

The North American nation of Mexico appears in North and South exactly once, stated as having been mentioned by Frederick as a place where he had travelled. Mexico, during the time the book was being written, had just emerged from a series of devastating political wars and rebellions. In the 1920's, Spain attempted to reconquer Mexico, resulting in a few skirmishes between 1821 and 1825. In 1838, France attempted to invade and subjugate Mexico in revenge for extortion and looting against Frenchmen in the country by Mexican nationals. This conflict was known as the Pastry War.

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