Example solution for ambiguous sentences in the context of ''Jane Eyre''

Task 1

1. Write down two ambiguous sentences with respect to the book’s content.

2. For each of these, provide an unambiguous paraphrase for the possible readings.

3. Classify the type of ambiguity.

4. For each of the readings: Is one of them more plausible in the context of the book than the other?

First example

1. Jane Eyre met Helen Burns before she died.

2. Paraphrases:

• Reading 1: Jane Eyre met Helen Burns before Jany Eyre died.
• Reading 2: Jane Eyre met Helen Burns before Helen Burns died.
• Reading 3: Jane Eyre met Helen Burns before a third female person died.

3. The ambiguity lies in the possible referents of the pronoun she, so it is an instance of a referential ambiguity.

4. More plausible reading in the context of the book:

Reading 2 is the most plausible reading in the book. Jane met Helen in Lowood, where Helen died of consumption.

Second example

1. St. John didn't ask Jane to marry him because he loved her.

2. Paraphrases:

• Reading 1: St. John did not ask Jane to marry him. The reason for this is that he loved her.
• Reading 2: St. John asked Jane to marry him, but he did not do this out of love.

3. The ambiguity lies in the interaction between not and because. It is a scope ambiguity.

4. In the context of the book the second reading is more plausible. St. John proposes to Jane so that they could go to India together as missionaries, but he does not have romantic feelings for her.

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Back to the assignment sheet on chapter 2.