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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I have to admit that I didn’t really know what to expect from Jane Eyre. I’d never seen a TV or movie adaptation and haven’t read anything else by Charlotte Bronte. So, on the off chance that you too have managed to avoid ever hearing the general premise, here it is: Jane Eyre is an unfortunate little orphan raised by her aunt who apparently hates her (but has children of her own upon whom she dotes). As soon as an opportunity presents itself she sends Jane away to boarding school, which turns out to be even worse than living with the hated aunt.
In spite of this, Jane survives, grows up, learns a great deal and decides that she wants to be a governess. She advertises and ends up with a position at Thornfield Hall, teaching a little French girl and eventually meeting Mr Rochester. And, on the off chance that anyone would be annoyed with me for spoiling a novel that’s 170 years old, that’s where my synopsis ends.
Obviously it’s a very romantic novel and I think it could well have laid the foundations for many romantic novels that followed it. Trends such as having the female protagonist described as “very plain” and not much to look at, but determined and hard working and Good, whilst the male love interest’s appearance is described in much finer detail, and he’s rich and complicated and Troubled. Then, in spite of the fact that she has very little going for her, he takes an interest anyway, because he sees something special in her, something that he is suspiciously incapable of articulating. It’s a classic fantasy that anyone would enjoy buying into: The amazing perfect person could fall in love with you no matter how little you may think of yourself.
That’s all very well and good, but unfortunately Jane isn’t just plain, she’s also boring and, as much education as she might have managed to obtain, she’s kind of stupid. She believes obvious lies and promises and forgives awful behaviour. Sure, in many cases you couldn’t expect her to have many options but even when she does have options she makes terrible decisions. At the supposedly Happily Ever After point I wanted to shake her for behaving like an idiot.
Now, in fairness, the book is very picturesque and some events are believable, compelling and emotional, especially those that occur at the boarding school, Lowood. There were parts that I quite enjoyed and times when I was really rooting for Jane as a headstrong young girl who formed strong ties with her friends. Actually, the few real friendships that Jane forms during the novel are probably the parts I enjoyed the most.
Then there’s the pacing – Jane Eyre is a novel very much of it’s time. The writing is very descriptive, very floral and very detailed. I’d go so far as to say it’s descriptive, floral and detailed to a fault. It’s just so long! …Ok, I just looked it up and it’s ~500 pages which could, in some circumstance be absolutely fine, but this felt much longer than it actually was and that, to me, suggests that it didn’t actually have a great deal to say. It was fine, but maybe I should have just watched the movie.
In spite of this, Jane survives, grows up, learns a great deal and decides that she wants to be a governess. She advertises and ends up with a position at Thornfield Hall, teaching a little French girl and eventually meeting Mr Rochester. And, on the off chance that anyone would be annoyed with me for spoiling a novel that’s 170 years old, that’s where my synopsis ends.
Obviously it’s a very romantic novel and I think it could well have laid the foundations for many romantic novels that followed it. Trends such as having the female protagonist described as “very plain” and not much to look at, but determined and hard working and Good, whilst the male love interest’s appearance is described in much finer detail, and he’s rich and complicated and Troubled. Then, in spite of the fact that she has very little going for her, he takes an interest anyway, because he sees something special in her, something that he is suspiciously incapable of articulating. It’s a classic fantasy that anyone would enjoy buying into: The amazing perfect person could fall in love with you no matter how little you may think of yourself.
That’s all very well and good, but unfortunately Jane isn’t just plain, she’s also boring and, as much education as she might have managed to obtain, she’s kind of stupid. She believes obvious lies and promises and forgives awful behaviour. Sure, in many cases you couldn’t expect her to have many options but even when she does have options she makes terrible decisions. At the supposedly Happily Ever After point I wanted to shake her for behaving like an idiot.
Now, in fairness, the book is very picturesque and some events are believable, compelling and emotional, especially those that occur at the boarding school, Lowood. There were parts that I quite enjoyed and times when I was really rooting for Jane as a headstrong young girl who formed strong ties with her friends. Actually, the few real friendships that Jane forms during the novel are probably the parts I enjoyed the most.
Then there’s the pacing – Jane Eyre is a novel very much of it’s time. The writing is very descriptive, very floral and very detailed. I’d go so far as to say it’s descriptive, floral and detailed to a fault. It’s just so long! …Ok, I just looked it up and it’s ~500 pages which could, in some circumstance be absolutely fine, but this felt much longer than it actually was and that, to me, suggests that it didn’t actually have a great deal to say. It was fine, but maybe I should have just watched the movie.
This book is a little bit tricky for me to review.
Initially, I adored it. Then I found out some problematic things about Rochester's character and the nature of his relationship with Jane.
However, I still really love it, I just think it's important that when you read this book you acknowledge that it's not perfect, and Mr. Rochester is not always the perfect man he appears to be.
I read this because I wanted to read Wide Sargasso Sea, which is probably not the right way around, but that's how I did it anyway. I really adore Jane's character, particularly when she's young and precocious - she's stronger, bolder than when she becomes older.
I liked one character in particular (who shall remain unnamed because I don't want to spoil it for you). They, to me, really represented Jane's inner self - a wilder, bolder side that she never let anyone else see. This person was a manifestation of all her frustrations of being a poor woman in 19th century England.
Is it a feminist novel, though? Sometimes, I don't know. But I want it to be, and maybe I'll read it again more critically, and figure it out for myself.
This novel is really atmospheric, and it's not nearly as romantic as you might assume it to be. Jane is a complex character, worn down by her experiences, and brought to life again through Bronte's writing.
If you haven't read this novel, try it out. c:
Initially, I adored it. Then I found out some problematic things about Rochester's character and the nature of his relationship with Jane.
However, I still really love it, I just think it's important that when you read this book you acknowledge that it's not perfect, and Mr. Rochester is not always the perfect man he appears to be.
I read this because I wanted to read Wide Sargasso Sea, which is probably not the right way around, but that's how I did it anyway. I really adore Jane's character, particularly when she's young and precocious - she's stronger, bolder than when she becomes older.
I liked one character in particular (who shall remain unnamed because I don't want to spoil it for you). They, to me, really represented Jane's inner self - a wilder, bolder side that she never let anyone else see. This person was a manifestation of all her frustrations of being a poor woman in 19th century England.
Is it a feminist novel, though? Sometimes, I don't know. But I want it to be, and maybe I'll read it again more critically, and figure it out for myself.
This novel is really atmospheric, and it's not nearly as romantic as you might assume it to be. Jane is a complex character, worn down by her experiences, and brought to life again through Bronte's writing.
If you haven't read this novel, try it out. c:
nope nope nope. God I never hated reading a book so much for AP Lit and was completely mystified when my mom told me she loved the book when she was my age.
love of my life thank u @ my english women novelists class for letting me reread this with no shame
Excellent in parts, but Rochester is too much the tiresome man-child. I'm not saying Jane was wrong to choose him; it's just tiresome to read about him. There's something about their dialogues that I don't like.
I need to reread Thackeray.
I need to reread Thackeray.
AH JANE! This read has felt long. This is because in many parts it took a lot of patience for me to persevere and keep reading. In other parts it was hugely rewarding. I absolutely love this book although it would be untrue for me to tell you that I loved every part of this book. For me,I did not develop real interest until the character of Mr. Rochester was introduced (which is about 100 pages into the book). However, once he was there I began to truly fall in love with Jane. You heard me correct. Rochester introduced - in love with JANE! I did not intend for my emotions to get involved but about halfway through the book I found myself in tears. Jane, as a character, is not at all dated and her story is not a romance, although there is romance involved. It is about a young woman who is constantly defined as plain - over and over again. Through her eyes and her story you come to love her as an intelligent, fierce, kind, and amazing young woman. I'm glad to have read this and definitely have a bit of a Jane obsession now. It was worth stomping through the slow parts to read.