The novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë can be identified as a Gothic novel, as the eponymous heroine meets all five essential elements: Edward Rochester as the hero byronic, Bertha Mason as the evil, imprisoned woman, supernatural elements and psychological fears and a haunted mansion. All of these elements combine to create a strong Gothic novel. Throughout the novel, Edward Rochester proves himself to be a Byronic hero, through his tall, dark figure, his mysterious past, and his desire for Jane's love. When first introduced, Rochester is described as having a dark and serious face: "He had a dark countenance, with severe features and a heavy brow" (Brontë 115). His dark and mysterious traits are one of the reasons. Throughout the novel, Jane experiences many paranormal creatures such as ghosts. For example, at the beginning of the novel, Jane is placed in the Red Room as punishment for her actions against her cousin John Reed. While in the room, she sees the ghost of Mr. Reed, her previously deceased uncle, proving that Jane also experienced supernatural elements in her early years. Later in the novel, when she first arrives at Thornfield, Jane believes there is a ghost in the corridors after hearing a disturbing laugh: “It was a curious laugh; distinct, formal, mirthless… the laughter was the most tragic and unearthly laugh I had ever heard” (Brontë 108 – 109). However, Jane's theory is quickly disproved when she is told that it was the laughter of another servant named Grace Poole. In addition to hearing and seeing ghosts, many characters in the novel can be compared to paranormal creatures. For example, Blanche Ingram's pale complexion and white clothing give her the appearance of a vampire: "The sisters were both dressed in spotless white" (Brontë 175). These white dresses also symbolize a vampire's pale skin and immortal life, because white was supposed to be worn by the youngest and purest women. Blanche can also be compared to a vampire, because she is "sucking blood" from Rochester or using him for her money. Therefore, supernatural elements are identified when Jane believes she hears a ghost at Thornfield Hall and when the characters themselves represent the paranormal.