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Jane Eyre x Elucien Parallels (In-Depth Meta)

We've been told SJM loves the book Jane Eyre and we know that she has made some literary references to the novel in her own writing. For example, the most commonly known Elucien allusion is the one below:

Elain in ACOWAR:  “It felt… strange,” Elain breathed. “Like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib.”

Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre: “I have a strange feeling with regard to you. As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave I'm afraid that cord of communion would snap. And I have a notion that I'd take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, you'd forget me.”

This parallel is a HUGE clue. Now, let me explain why the story of Jane Eyre is very well a map for what Elucien's central themes are likely going to explore in their book.

Could SJM be using Jane Eyre as a model for Elain's character and hero journey? Yes, I do. Here is why.

Let me describe Jane in a nutshell for you: she was someone who came from a difficult and isolated childhood and who used her meekness and reserved nature to fit into circumstances. However, we learn she is a smart, witty, innocent, stubborn, and feminine female protagonist. Despite all the societal and religious pressures to marry a husband, Jane was insistent she would only marry for true love.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Jane in Jane Eyre “Shall I tend to my little garden forever?” When Nesta flinched, Elain said, “You can't have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”

....when I was reflecting on that, I was hit with a wow that is Elain Archeron if I have ever seen anything.

Jane Eyre is a story of Fate, Love, and Autonomy. Just like Elucien.

Without getting too wordy, let me summarize a few things for folks who never read the novel.

The connection described between Jane and Rochester is one of fate. Jane and Rochester fall in love from the start because he treats her as equal, but their marriage is thwarted because Rochester is still married to Bertha Mason (the madwoman in his attic).

Even though she loves him, she has complicated feelings about marriage. She is afraid of the restraints and expectations that will be placed on her if she were to marry.

She leaves him for some time and they endure a long period of separation. In that time she meets St John who will also propose to her, but is meant to represent dutiful marriage without true love and warmth. St John was described as a cold love, whereas Rochester was described as fire.

Eventually, she realizes she wants true love above all else, and returns to Rochester. He has lost his wife by then and it is only then that they are free to finally marry and live together as equals in love.

OKAY. That is definitely an oversimplification but I needed to lay it out for our road map. Let's compare now.

Elain and Lucien shared a fated connection created by the Mother with their mating bond. We also know that a long period of their relationship is defined by their separation where Lucien goes to find Vassa and maintains his distance from Elain out of respect of her feelings.

We know Elain likely has complicated feelings about the bond. She says to Feyre, "I don't want a mate. I don't want a male." She is resisting the bond with Lucien. While we don't have her POV yet, I imagine it has to do with resisting something that she doesn't understand, that is taking away her autonomy in love, and influencing her fate for her.

Elain is likely also going to have two marriage prospects, just as Jane did. We know of her engagement to Graysen, who was described as "kind enough" by Nesta and later rejected her horribly. This marriage would have been similar to St John - one more out of duty for status and safety and marked by coldness. Whereas we have Lucien, with fire in his blood, and a warm personality, which is what Jane described true love to be like.

What is keeping Elain and Lucien apart? Bertha Mason.

Bertha, Rochester's wife and mad woman in the attic, was a symbol of Jane's suppressed emotions and inner conflict in regards to Jane's marriage to Mr. Rochester. She represented what Jane feared the most of traditional marriage at that time--becoming trapped and isolated and mad by the female expectations of society and religion.

It was only once Bertha was gone that they could have their Happily Ever After. (It's important to note she perished in a fire.) Her absence was a physical representation of Jane losing her reservations about marriage and fully becoming sure of herself in confidence, status, and her DECISION to pick to true love.

Which tells me that Elain will return and love Lucien only after her own reservations of the mating bond are addressed. Maybe fire will even be involved/symbolic burning of their obstacles (which would be so fitting for our fireling). I think there is also an added layer that Elain wants more from life than what is expected of her by the Inner Circle, which is hinted at throughout ACOSF.

SJM told us herself in an interview:

“I’m not going to say if I am exploring it in future books or not, but it definitely offers a wealth of things to explore with this concept of freewill and what is true love. Is it something that’s destined? Or is it something that you make? Is it both?”

If she is truly influenced by Jane Eyre, we know the answer. When it comes to Elucien, it's both.

Other Symbols of Jane Eyre in Elucien

A few more interesting parallels I found:

Mr. Rochester gifts Jane a pearl necklace upon his first proposal. Jane refuses to wear it and even leaves it behind. "I left that; it was not mine: it was the visionary bride’s who had melted in air." Notice she rejected not because she doesn't like Rochester or the gift itself, but because what it symbolizes. A bride.

Lucien gave Elain pearl earrings for Solstice. She could barely thank him and we never know if she wears it. I am going to infer that Elain rejects the gift (with silence and indifference) because she is terrified of what it represents...of her accepting the bond between them. I found it so interesting SJM chose to use pearls and have them react very similarly.

Jane Eyre is filled with literary symbols of Fire vs Ice, with fire representing passion and true love, and ice representing duty and cold love.

Lucien could very well be a living symbol of fiery, passionate love ("Autumn Court males have fire in their blood—and they fuck like it, too" anyone??) Graysen and Azriel could also be symbols of that "icy, cold" love in comparison to Lucien.

We also cannot forget that Mr. Rochester waited and waited for Jane to return. Just as Lucien is waiting for Elain to be ready.

In Conclusion...

Let me leave you with one more piece of evidence to convince you. In Jane Eyre, Jane says this of Rochester once she has finally decided to be with him:

"All my heart is yours, sir; it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever.”

In ACOWAR, we have this moment between Elain and Graysen:

"I belong to no one. But my heart belongs to you.” Graysen’s face hardened. “I don’t want it.”

Elain will eventually realize her heart belongs to Lucien Vanserra. And he will give her the true love, peace, and happiness she has always wished for her entire life.

“When I sleep,” she murmured, “I can hear your heart beating through the stone.” She angled her head, as if the city view held some answer. “Can you hear mine?" He wasn’t sure if she truly meant to address him, but he said, “No, lady. I cannot.”

Lucien's heart already belongs to Elain. Likely since the moment their bond snapped, which is why she can hear his heart.

In their book, Elain will give her heart to Lucien, as it belongs to him. And has likely always belonged to him.

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Concept design for Azriel 

I tried to stick to canon but also do my own thing. For his eyes I gave him an iris mutation that does not affect sight. forgot what it’s called There are many different kinds of hazel eyes so I gave him two. The top of his ring finger rotted away and the burns of his right hand lick up more to his forearm. The prosthetic was a gift from either Mor or Cass since I don’t think he would buy himself accessorys. His left hand has at least one finger nail missing. Also Ilyrians have human ears apparently, but they’re supposed to be a fairy, demon, bat hybrid things so I gave him little bat ones instead.

And like with Emerie his design is inspired by ethnic groups in the Middle East. I based him off Yemenis people who are mostly Arab or Afro-Arab. It doesn’t come across but I also took some inspiration from Kurds which are not Arab but rather Indo-European.



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can we be shocked that elriels have their own made up “regency” tropes? this is a group of unserious ppl. they call elriel forbidden romance as if there are any stakes on the line.

they act like prythian is going to break out in war if elriel gets together.

meanwhile the ppl of prythian if you asked them about elain and az:

Elucien is the perfect example of Regency romance.

Don’t get your terms mixed up. You’re all confusing “forbidden romance” with “regency romance”. You’re defining Regency just because of the brushing of the fingers alone. Regency romance is much more than that.

Marriages of convenience are very common in regency romance (Elucien’s bond). Also social activities, carriage rides, dinner parties, political settings and balls. Who do you think fits this part better as the Courtier Emissary and the Belle of the Ball? Certainly not Azriel. He’s no courtier.

Edit PS to include this paragraph and quotes:

Remember that Elain loved these social situations. She thrived at parties, enjoyed hosting and mingling with guests. She was essentially the Diamond of the Season, the star of the show, the skilled charmer. No wallflower here. I think we can all agree that we can’t see Azriel in these settings as much as we can see Lucien.

In Regency there’s always horse riding, hunting (ahem! Lucien catching fish with his bare hands) and outdoor activities which are the very essence of Elucien as Sarah has said herself in interview after interview.

With Regency you get all the pining, yearning, angst and propriety (Ms. Elain I-can’t-even-discuss-periods Archeron). There are handwritten letters, gloves (wink wink), period clothing, well spoken characters, hand kisses.

Even the Blood Duel you love so much certainly gives Regency vibes, but it is an Autumn Court tradition and it belongs to Lucien’s ancestry. Everything about Lucien is Regency coded: his line of work, his aristocrat education, the way he dresses, the way he wears his hair, how she speaks, the gifts he gives to Elain, the way he behaves…he even calls Elain “Lady”, for God’s sake. The reformed rake indeed. Elucien gives Outlander, Bridgerton, Lisa Kleypas, Jane Austen.

Azriel, on the other hand, is not Regency coded at all. He’s a broody warrior club rat. You can claim the “brush of the fingers” sure, but that alone doesn’t define a Regency Romance. This is not defined by tropes, but by the motifs and the aesthetics, and Elucien certainly has that.

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I’ve officially started an Instagram profile dedicated to my art (follow me here) and this is my first post:

This was inspired by A Taste of Darkness by @aldbooks

If you haven’t read it, DO IT NOW

I’m so thrilled with this spicy Gwynriel and can’t wait to keep creating!

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this but it's gwynriel

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i'm soooo normal about what could've been

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( D A Y T H R E E )

P S Y C H E

“Shall I tend to my little garden forever? … You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”

— A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES

Described by the Bone Carver as the “trembling fawn” and yet, “growing claws,” by Nesta, Elain’s psyche is both multifaceted and intriguing. The world around her has dealt an unfortunate hand to our sweet Seer, but she manages time and time again to find the strength to remain soft despite these circumstances. As we have come to learn, however, her kindness should not be mistaken for weakness. For day three’s prompt, show us how you define Elain Archeron. Is it by her kind heart, her love for her family, her ability to make a home anywhere, or is it something many people tend to overlook? Show us what makes her Elain Archeron to you.

ART CREDIT — tasbaqaart

ANNOUNCEMENT POST | DAY ONE | DAY TWO

INSTAGRAM

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Demon Lucien and priest Tamlin au👩🏻‍🦯

NSFW on Patreon ✨️

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Elain as a singer

Elain training with Azriel

Elain riding a pegasus

Elain in the library reading

Elain with twins

Elain in the blood rite as Balthazar!?

Elain as a LIGHTSINGER!!??

Wow, these are some really original, well thought out ideas. Azriel will be so pleased to have someone so complimentary to himself :)

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Sorry, I find it absolutely hilarious that the other side is trying to make Elain a singer or instrument player after coining “Gleeriel” in an attempt to make fun of Gwynriel and their mutual love for singing.

Byeeeee. Too funny. Gleeriel ate though.

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some mor and emerie smut <3

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𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓜𝓸𝓻 𝓐𝓹𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴!

I did not get the opportunity to commission anything so I made a mood board to celebrate Mor and Emerie.

I absolutely love the potential of them being endgame. They are both two women who were brutally harmed by their family for only one, single reason… being a woman. I hope that they are able to find peace, love, and strength together in future books.

Thank you to everyone at @morweekofficial for hosting the event!

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( D A Y T W O )

H O B B I E S

“Elain met me halfway to the kitchen, bearing a tray of jam tarts toward the table in the dining room. Where an assortment of baked goods had already begun to take form, tiered cakes and iced cookies. Sugar-frosted buns and caramel-drizzled fruit pies. “Those look pretty,” I told her by way of greeting, nodding toward the heart-shaped cookies on her tray. All of it looked pretty.”

— A COURT OF FROST AND STARLIGHT

Elain is often depicted dedicating time to her hobbies and crafts, and we are able to see her work truly pay off. Whether she is baking tirelessly from dawn until dusk, or gardening out in the sunshine, everything she puts effort into turns out to be oh so beautiful. When you think of Elain’s love for her hobbies, do you picture her on a sunny day at the townhouse, pruning roses? Or perhaps with a flour-dusted apron, baking bread for her family? Show us what you picture when you think of Elain enjoying her hobbies.

ART CREDIT — @jennastokesart

ANNOUNCEMENT POST | DAY ONE

INSTAGRAM

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My precious child Viviane from A Court of Wings and Ruin, her and Mor give me life! This image changed so much during the painting and I could still carry on tweaking it but I’m tired now. She would totally rock blue lipstick imho

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Feyre Archeron. Painted in Paintstorm studio.

I must say, I really like that paintery style! This was originally a practice study, but I always like to turn it into something, rather than copying a picture completely.

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𝓔𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓲𝓮𝓷

We love what Sarah once said about these two, that “Lucien and Elain would go to London and tour through the gardens before making their way out to the English countryside. They are the happiest out in nature.” Together.

Thank you so much to glass.squeezer for this beautiful art! You captured the tension and romantic longing between them so wonderfully.

Commissioned by myself and @amandapearls

Link to Instagram post

Characters belong to Sarah J Maas

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Daynight

Gwynriel

Manorian

Chaorene

Nessian

Feysand

Rowaelin

Elorcan

Lysaedion