Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë
Published by: Oxford World’s Classics
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
Published by: Oxford World’s Classics
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
Jane Eyre clings to a sense of self-worth throughout the hardships of her childhood, spent with a sever aunt and unfeeling cousins, and later at the austere Lowood charity school. At the age of 18, sick of her narrow existence, she seeks work as a governess. The monotony of Jane’s routine at Thornfield Hall is broken up by the arrival of her unconventional employer, Mr. Rochester. Life at the mansion is further disrupted by mysterious incidents that draw the pair closer together, but which, once explained, threaten Jane’s happiness and integrity.
Victorian readers were shocked and enthralled by the novel’s forceful depiction of childhood deprivation, female restlessness, and the complexities of faith and passion. Jane’s voice remains as striking today as it sounded more than 150 years ago.
In this new edition, Juliette Atkinson explores Charlotte Brontë’s handling of narrative voice, situates the novel within evolving nineteenth-century attitudes towards selfhood, and explores how the novel’s ‘poor, obscure, plain’ heroine negotiates the competing pulls of the fantastical and the everyday.
Victorian readers were shocked and enthralled by the novel’s forceful depiction of childhood deprivation, female restlessness, and the complexities of faith and passion. Jane’s voice remains as striking today as it sounded more than 150 years ago.
In this new edition, Juliette Atkinson explores Charlotte Brontë’s handling of narrative voice, situates the novel within evolving nineteenth-century attitudes towards selfhood, and explores how the novel’s ‘poor, obscure, plain’ heroine negotiates the competing pulls of the fantastical and the everyday.
My thoughts:
I knew a little about Jane Eyre for a long time before I finally got round to reading it. I didn’t read the book as a teen. I wish I did.
Because now of course, I know that Jane Eyre is one of the best books I will ever read. Brontë tells a gripping story that feels intimate and magnetic. Upon its release the book was considered scandalizing because it explores female desires so openly. However, it is certainly not explicit. This is a book about social class, religion, gender roles, and exploring the many conflicts between love and independence, conscience, and passion, revolving around the ongoing struggle of a young girl (and woman) to maintain her self-esteem.
Not only is Jane Eyre considered a classic read, but perhaps most importantly, it is also one of the few books of it's era that gives significant power to a female narrator. I think this aspect of Brontë’s writing and character development appealed to me most. Jane is no fragile flower to be placed on a pedestal to be admired. In fact, she is a strong-willed heroine whose moral and spiritual development makes for a fascinating and highly engaging read. She is a strong and independent feminist. Jane was ahead of her time and didn’t care what society thought about her. She decided what she wanted for her life, and nothing would stop her from attaining it.
The novel follows the story of Jane, a seemingly plain and simple girl as she battles through life's struggles. Jane has many obstacles in her life - her cruel and abusive Aunt Reed, the grim conditions at Lowood school, her love for Rochester and Rochester's marriage to Bertha.
Her story begins with Jane as a young orphan being raised by Mrs. Reed, A servant named Bessie provides Jane with some of the few kindnesses she receives, telling her stories and singing songs to her. One day, as punishment for fighting with her bullying cousin, Jane’s aunt imprisons her in the red room, the room in which Jane’s Uncle Reed died. While locked in, Jane, believing that she sees her uncle’s ghost, screams, and faints. She wakes to find herself in the care of Bessie and the apothecary Mr. Lloyd, who suggests to Mrs. Reed that Jane be sent away to school. To Jane’s delight, Mrs. Reed agrees.
However, once at the Lowood School, Jane finds that her life is far from idyllic. The school’s headmaster is Mr. Brocklehurst, a cruel, hypocritical, and abusive man.
Neglected in childhood and traumatised at Lockwood school where she is humiliated and starved, Jane later arrives at Thornfield ready to love. At first, it seems she’ll get her chance: There are romantic promises, forbidden glances, and anguished prayers. I enjoyed seeing the slow burn relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane develop. They are both interesting and complex characters for who they are separately, as well as together. It is such a joy to see these two overcome so many hardships and setbacks before eventually finding happiness together. After all, there was no one like Jane Eyre before she arrived on the page, and into a million imaginations in 1847.
Jane Eyre is a novel by which all others should be measured. I did finally read it as an adult, and I love it. I mostly view Jane Eyre as a story of love, empowerment, friendship, and self-worth. The book can be enjoyed at any age, and I intend to re-read Jane Eyre many more times over the years.
Overall reaction:
I knew a little about Jane Eyre for a long time before I finally got round to reading it. I didn’t read the book as a teen. I wish I did.
Because now of course, I know that Jane Eyre is one of the best books I will ever read. Brontë tells a gripping story that feels intimate and magnetic. Upon its release the book was considered scandalizing because it explores female desires so openly. However, it is certainly not explicit. This is a book about social class, religion, gender roles, and exploring the many conflicts between love and independence, conscience, and passion, revolving around the ongoing struggle of a young girl (and woman) to maintain her self-esteem.
Not only is Jane Eyre considered a classic read, but perhaps most importantly, it is also one of the few books of it's era that gives significant power to a female narrator. I think this aspect of Brontë’s writing and character development appealed to me most. Jane is no fragile flower to be placed on a pedestal to be admired. In fact, she is a strong-willed heroine whose moral and spiritual development makes for a fascinating and highly engaging read. She is a strong and independent feminist. Jane was ahead of her time and didn’t care what society thought about her. She decided what she wanted for her life, and nothing would stop her from attaining it.
The novel follows the story of Jane, a seemingly plain and simple girl as she battles through life's struggles. Jane has many obstacles in her life - her cruel and abusive Aunt Reed, the grim conditions at Lowood school, her love for Rochester and Rochester's marriage to Bertha.
Her story begins with Jane as a young orphan being raised by Mrs. Reed, A servant named Bessie provides Jane with some of the few kindnesses she receives, telling her stories and singing songs to her. One day, as punishment for fighting with her bullying cousin, Jane’s aunt imprisons her in the red room, the room in which Jane’s Uncle Reed died. While locked in, Jane, believing that she sees her uncle’s ghost, screams, and faints. She wakes to find herself in the care of Bessie and the apothecary Mr. Lloyd, who suggests to Mrs. Reed that Jane be sent away to school. To Jane’s delight, Mrs. Reed agrees.
However, once at the Lowood School, Jane finds that her life is far from idyllic. The school’s headmaster is Mr. Brocklehurst, a cruel, hypocritical, and abusive man.
Neglected in childhood and traumatised at Lockwood school where she is humiliated and starved, Jane later arrives at Thornfield ready to love. At first, it seems she’ll get her chance: There are romantic promises, forbidden glances, and anguished prayers. I enjoyed seeing the slow burn relationship between Mr. Rochester and Jane develop. They are both interesting and complex characters for who they are separately, as well as together. It is such a joy to see these two overcome so many hardships and setbacks before eventually finding happiness together. After all, there was no one like Jane Eyre before she arrived on the page, and into a million imaginations in 1847.
Jane Eyre is a novel by which all others should be measured. I did finally read it as an adult, and I love it. I mostly view Jane Eyre as a story of love, empowerment, friendship, and self-worth. The book can be enjoyed at any age, and I intend to re-read Jane Eyre many more times over the years.
Overall reaction: