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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I wish i could give this 6 stars because damn what a good book
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Took a hot minute to get through but I liked it. Really enjoyed the story and the writing style. I kept forgetting that Jane was so young and it baffled me sometimes every time her age was mentioned because of how accomplished she was. I liked how she was a governess and her passion was in teaching. Her and Mr. Rochester’s relationship was interesting enough but honestly I liked reading the book because of Jane. She went through so much and stood on her decisions, gotta respect that.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being, with an independent will.” - Charlotte Brontë.
Orphaned, abused, and alone, Jane Eyre endures a childhood and adolescence strife with suffering. In her earliest memories, she is tormented by her wealthy cousins. Sent to a run-down charity school in Lowood, her agony continues as she faces a severe epidemic. But bright and studious, she leaves to become a governess to Mr Rochester’s ward, Adele, at Thornfield. Jane and Rochester’s affair is passionate, yet torrid, as she uncovers his shameful secret, leaving her no choice but to leave. Blithely ending, Brontë explores the nature of true love through Jane’s recount of her survival, fervent affair, and quest for autonomy.
Easing me out of my ‘big-book-fear,’ it became one of my favourite books. The narrative’s pacing is near perfection. Brontë does not allow Jane to stagnate in her predicaments, which provides opportunities for varied landscapes, an array of striking personalities, and inspiring character development. Inevitably, I admired the unrelenting heroine. She endures every setback gracefully, cleverly, and with a great deal of love. In the face of immense trauma, she emerges as a stronger person, unfailingly asserting her boundaries. Jane Eyre is an essential role model for all women searching for their place in the world.
As an avid reader of Gothic fiction, her tasteful use of Gothic elements contributed to an emotionally rich narrative, exemplifying Jane’s anxiety, conjuring dramatic tension. Through Jane’s fervent recount, I experienced a range of emotions so vividly.
Though I can admit that Jane and Rochester’s age gap is inappropriate, I cannot help but adore them. Their romance was less central to the narrative than I expected. Alternatively, Jane’s journey for independence is centre stage. I much prefer this approach as I’m beginning to realise that I’m not as fond of the romance genre as I thought I was! Brontë carries out a timeless exploration of love. To Brontë, love overcomes all. Love is worth all the hard work, and more. Love subverts expectations. Rochester is frequently described as conventionally “ugly.” I was initially disappointed that he wasn’t a strapping hero, but soon, most likely due to excellent writing, I, too, grew affectionate for him. He recognises Jane as his intellectual equal, cherishing every aspect of her, including her argumentative personality. He is rather eccentric, but perhaps she wrote a character exclusively for Jane (and for herself).
Brontë is not reckless with this depiction of passionate love. Rochester’s blindness and poverty, and Jane retrieving her £5,000 (£662,879.16 today) ensure that they’re appropriately matched, which speaks loudly for the era it was written for. Likewise, Brontë’s approach to ethnic minorities is immensely problematic. This includes the representation of the racially ambiguous “mad woman in the attic” (Bertha), who is from Jamaica, the missionaries to India, and overt Christian messages. Published in 1847, this was unsurprising as the British Empire was at its peak. I thought Bertha was overly demonised. Charlotte Brontë was a skilled enough writer to illustrate her as sympathetic and psychologically complex, rather than wholly villainising her. Bertha’s attempts to burn Mr Rochester were excessive, as I was already rooting for his and Jane’s betrothal, despite Bertha’s marriage to him. As lovely as this book can be, holding some important lessons, it is borderline British Empire propaganda, which prevents me from rating it five stars.
My journey with Jane Eyre and the Brontë sisters is far from over. I will certainly be rereading Jane Eyre, and as I excitedly await university, I’m hoping for an opportunity to study this renowned masterpiece. Jane’s determination, intelligence, passion and work ethic are inspiring. Though I do wish Bertha was presented more sympathetically.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced