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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
jane was such a strong woman. it's just that... why mr. rochester...
"Reader, I married him." Re-visiting another Bronte classic.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I have been trying to read this book for so long. I have always found it difficult to progress through the first few chapters, of Jane's childhood. There is also the intimidating size of this novel which just feels like an impending reading slump. Jane Eyre is one of the novels I am studying for my university course, so this has finally given me the push I needed to read it all. Once I finally got into this book I truly understood why it is the staple of literature that it is.
This story is fascinating as there is so much depth to it. It doesn't surprise me that critics have been crafting their interpretations of Jane Eyre for so long and are still doing so to this day. There is just so much to talk about with this novel that I can't fit it all into a Goodreads review. I will, however, go over my personal favourite aspects/personal insights into this book. I enjoyed the mirroring of Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason's characters. I think both represent different sides of womanhood and how women were treated in the context of this time. I find the idea interesting that there is more to Bertha’s story that we aren't seeing, due to only seeing these events through Jane's perspective. This is why I'll be reading Wide Sargasso Sea next - both as part of my university course and because I really want to delve deeper into Bertha's character outside of the influence of 19th century perspective.
Going back to Jane Eyre itself, I think the strongest parts of this novel were the scenes and interactions with Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester. I think their entire story, whilst being deeply flawed for both characters, is also hauntingly and strangely beautiful. This is because I think, in a twisted way, both characters are made for one another in this novel's context. Mr Rochester was pretty much dislikeable all throughout this novel but I still found his character incredibly interesting. Its one of those cases where I enjoy reading about a character, but I wouldn't want to speak to them for one second in real life. I would probably run the other direction. I think its the Byron-ness of his character that helps to make this story so immortal. No matter the time period, people like reading about a serious and brooding character. On the other hand, I found Jane's character to be fairly likeable. I enjoyed how opinionated she came to be, and how after so many years, she finally did inherit wealth. Additionally, the passages where she is so clearly obsessed and in love with Rochester will always be hilarious to me. There should be a drinking game where we do a shot each time Jane compares a man to Rochester.
Onto the actual writing style itself, I think Charlotte Bronte is a genius. I have used the adjective already once in this review, but I will say it again, and that is 'Haunting'. I think it is the perfect way to describe this story. It feels Gothic yet romantic as well and it is clear that there is so much love and thought put into writing this. Despite reading it in the Spring, it feels like a very Autumnal novel. There is also that dreary English feeling of the setting that Bronte has expertly captured. I really enjoyed reading this once I got into it and I can't wait to actually spend time studying it. I would also love to know if there are any good film or TV show adaptations of this!
I have been trying to read this book for so long. I have always found it difficult to progress through the first few chapters, of Jane's childhood. There is also the intimidating size of this novel which just feels like an impending reading slump. Jane Eyre is one of the novels I am studying for my university course, so this has finally given me the push I needed to read it all. Once I finally got into this book I truly understood why it is the staple of literature that it is.
This story is fascinating as there is so much depth to it. It doesn't surprise me that critics have been crafting their interpretations of Jane Eyre for so long and are still doing so to this day. There is just so much to talk about with this novel that I can't fit it all into a Goodreads review. I will, however, go over my personal favourite aspects/personal insights into this book. I enjoyed the mirroring of Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason's characters. I think both represent different sides of womanhood and how women were treated in the context of this time. I find the idea interesting that there is more to Bertha’s story that we aren't seeing, due to only seeing these events through Jane's perspective. This is why I'll be reading Wide Sargasso Sea next - both as part of my university course and because I really want to delve deeper into Bertha's character outside of the influence of 19th century perspective.
Going back to Jane Eyre itself, I think the strongest parts of this novel were the scenes and interactions with Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester. I think their entire story, whilst being deeply flawed for both characters, is also hauntingly and strangely beautiful. This is because I think, in a twisted way, both characters are made for one another in this novel's context. Mr Rochester was pretty much dislikeable all throughout this novel but I still found his character incredibly interesting. Its one of those cases where I enjoy reading about a character, but I wouldn't want to speak to them for one second in real life. I would probably run the other direction. I think its the Byron-ness of his character that helps to make this story so immortal. No matter the time period, people like reading about a serious and brooding character. On the other hand, I found Jane's character to be fairly likeable. I enjoyed how opinionated she came to be, and how after so many years, she finally did inherit wealth. Additionally, the passages where she is so clearly obsessed and in love with Rochester will always be hilarious to me. There should be a drinking game where we do a shot each time Jane compares a man to Rochester.
Onto the actual writing style itself, I think Charlotte Bronte is a genius. I have used the adjective already once in this review, but I will say it again, and that is 'Haunting'. I think it is the perfect way to describe this story. It feels Gothic yet romantic as well and it is clear that there is so much love and thought put into writing this. Despite reading it in the Spring, it feels like a very Autumnal novel. There is also that dreary English feeling of the setting that Bronte has expertly captured. I really enjoyed reading this once I got into it and I can't wait to actually spend time studying it. I would also love to know if there are any good film or TV show adaptations of this!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“No; I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others don’t love me, I would rather die than live”
god i love the drama writers had in the 17th century
god i love the drama writers had in the 17th century
19th century medicine is so funny wdym fog is causing typhus?
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
recommended by my literature teacher, plain jane is a sweet cry for independence
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes