I have recently started a Film BA, after years of anxiety and depression, so am stressed but proud o...
I have recently started a Film BA, after years of anxiety and depression, so am stressed but proud of myself! Unfortunately, it leaves me with less time for reading, writing reviews and generally hanging about on Ciao...
Member since:11.08.2005
Reviews:187
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I'm a big fan of Charlotte Bronte and it never fails to amaze me that some people fnd her novels hard to read: they don't use any complicated story-telling methods, the language is fairly common with only a few words you may need to look up in the dictionary and she writes very clearly. That's what I love about Jane Eyre: it is very readable and easy to understand, while still being a little challenging and a brilliant novel.
I first read this when I was thirteen and still enjoy it immensely. I was surprised when I read other reviews here who thought it would be too hard for younger people/children, as I find it to be the most accessible Bronte novel and one of the most accessible 19th Century novels. And there's a lot in it for an older child/young teen...
I must confess that, as a thirteen year old, I developed a crush on Mr. Rochester that never quite went away. Apparently that's very common - in Rosamunde Pilcher's Coming Home, one character remarks that every girl falls in love with him. I know that the novel is called Jane Eyre and everything, but Mr. Rochester is my favourite character and the most interesting. He
doesn't follow the standard formula for 19th Century romantic heroes: he is wealthy and Jane doesn't think he's very handsome and he has a bad temper, but he also possesses a kind of 'rugged charm'.
He is surprisingly 'modern' for a 19th Century character too; he takes care of Adele, the orphan of a French singer who he once had an affair with, despite her being another man's child. There is a slight mystery why he does take care of Adele - being fond of her as well as providing for her financially - and that's not his only dark side... (I won't ruin it for you though). That's what I love about Mr. Rochester though: his flaws. He is a man of the world who has had fun in his youth and committed some sins - a world away from the pious Jane whose life has been limited to her aunt's house and an orphanage school.
The place where the novel falls a little short, in my opinion, is when Jane runs away from Thornfield (Mr. Rochester's home) and coincidentally is taken in by some cousins she never knew she had, who coincidentally are trying to find her, because (coincidentally) another relative of theirs has left a substantial amount of money to Jane in his will. Get the picture? It's all just a little too coincidental. It may have worked better if the coincidences had taken place over a longer timeframe, but they happen too quickly and the rest of the plot isn't so reliant on fate/coincidence, so it sticks out like a sore thumb.
All of Charlotte Bronte's novels are partially autobiographical and it seems to me that Jane Eyre is most like how she sees herself. Jane is very ordinary and 'good' in the religious sense, although her aunt is convinced that she is some kind of demon and only puts up with her because it was her late husband's wish. However, Jane also has an independent, assertive streak (which sometimes gets her into trouble) and struggles with curbing her fiesty side.
It is vital to remember that this is the 19th century and to look at Jane's character in context. This was a time when women were expected to be nice and polite and play hostess, but stay discreet and obey their menfolk. As hard as it may be for 21st century readers to believe, this caused controversy in the 19th century. No, Jane Eyre is not a ferociously feminist work - at least not compared to other works - but it was a huge step forward for the protrayal of women in literature and we mustn't lose sight of that (credit where it's due and all).
Another remarkable feature of the novel is the portrayal of Lowood, the orphanage/school where Jane's aunt sends her. It is run by a corrupt vicar who pockets most of the fees and expects the girls to survive with minimal food, care and attention. Jane's two companions are Helen, a fellow pupil, and Miss. Temple, her favourite teacher. Helen dies from consumption early on, but Jane is still driven by her love of learning and stays at the school, going on to be a teacher herself. However, Miss. Temple gets married and leaves, giving Jane no reason to stay, so she seeks employment elsewhere...
Very few authors in the mid-19th century wrote about the cruel realities of life for the poor - it was only later that Dickens wrote about the poor in cities and Hardy about the poor in rural areas and other authors followed suit - so although the poverty in Jane Eyre was also controversial for contemporary readers. I think it's easy for these achievements to be overshadowed, but they deserve to be appreciated for what they are.
I simply cannot express how much I love this novel - my copy is very well-worn! The good parts outweigh the one weak area and you shouldn't let the idea of 'a classic' deter you from reading Jane Eyre. In fact, it's the best place to start if you want to ease yourself gently into classic literature. Don't be daunted by the language, style or historical setting: this is every bit as easy to read and enjoyable as modern novels.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: A great classic, good plot, wonderful characters, happy ending Disadvantages: A little melodramatic in places, could be considered old-fashioned
Advantages: Emotional conflict, Mental anguish, Phyiscal suffering and Spiritual strife Disadvantages: The characters that truly deserve punishment don't get their comeuppance
Aug 24th, 2005
very helpful by (100%):
