Portrait of Charlotte Brontë (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
At the beginning of June, I decided it was time to remedy a long-standing displeasure with myself: I wanted to read the literary classics that I had ignored. I have read the Shakespeare required in English class, and some of the fantasy and science fiction classics. The area I fall short is in novels such as Wuthering Heights, Moby Dick, A Tale of Two Cities, etc. So I have embarked, with my fellow reformers in the Goodreads group, “Catching up on Classics“, to rectify the situation.
We are currently on Jane Eyre. And I must admit that I am greatly surprised at Charlotte Bronte‘s depth and scope in this novel. I thought it was going to be a chore to grit my teeth and get through. The precise, yet wonderfully descriptive language is a joy to read. We are treated to the complex workings of Jane’s mind, as well as to a gothic style mystery. The following are my notes so far. I hope you may be inspired to pick up a classic and give it a chance.
WARNING: SPOILERS!!
Chapters 1-10:
(on defending herself against abusive treatment as an orphan child)
I was disappointed in the way that Bronte quickly voices regret for Jayne’s defensive outbursts and sermonizes on the virtues of self-control and forgiveness or at least tolerance for her abusers. But what more could we expect from a woman raised in the manner of Charlotte Bronte- a proper clergyman’s daughter in the era of uber propriety, especially where a woman’s behavior and station in life were concerned. I suppose that to even imagine, much less write about such rebellious tendencies must have been somewhat scandalous.
Chapters 17- 24:
I’m glad I didn’t read the Spark notes; It allowed me to fully enjoy my discoveries and analyses. In the matter of the romance between Jane and Rochester: I suppose you could excuse and admire Rochester’s unconventional and strange behavior (his fake intention to marry Miss Ingram and the gypsy woman shenanigan) as characterized by a free thinking and strongly independent spirit. I, however, was insulted for Jane’s sake, at his attempted deception and manipulation. He proved himself unworthy of her. And the ridiculous way in which he treats her once he professes his love further served to place him in my contempt.
Interestingly, Bronte-who gives Jane the steady, faithful, careful role in the romance- allows for private passion to rage in Jane’s heart. And the somewhat decorum-shaking situations and effervescent demonstrations assented to, reveal this fact to me: The story plays on the “damsel in distress rescued by the charming and well provisioned prince”. Granted, she couches it in a surprisingly modern way. For all Jane’s strength of character and independent will, it seems, her happy ending will be satisfied in flourishing in the sunshine of Rochester’s unfettered presence.
(Reading this book has got me “putting on airs” in my writing! Lol!)
Bronte tempers the fairy tale romance with Jane’s conditioned and harsh refusal of anything indulgent beyond her station as governess. S,o she gives you all the romance and intrigue, but accompanied with the qualifying theme of keeping your sense in check and not getting wholly carried away. I could be completely wrong about Jane, though.
Sooooo, let’s see what happens next…
I Amuse Myself 