Thursday, April 7, 2011

Jane Eyre: The Book!

Jane EyreThere was no possibility of taking a walk that day.

So you saw the movie, and now you're wondering if it's worthwhile to start from the beginning again with Jane Eyre as Charlotte Bronte imagined her. And that really depends on you - whether you enjoy the whole doom-and-gloom Victorian-dark-age scene, or if you're mad about a star-crossed, repressed feelings and tortured love among humans... although if you're not into that last part, there's probably some Jane Eyre Vampire Hunter thing floating around somewhere. I'll check on that.

Anyway, like in the movie you've got all these things and more to dive into, however as you'd expect, you have plenty more time to involve yourself in the claustrophobic, sad world of Jane and her suitor(s) than watching the movie will allow you. No flashbacks here, no pretty people (in the main cast), no cinematic shock moments -- but still great writing and storytelling, Jane's voice as clear as day and carrying more force and more pride than Mia Wasikowska was probably allowed to. Oh yes, and-

...I must smother hope; I must remember that he cannot care much for me. For when I say that I am of his kind, I do not mean that I have his force to influence, and his spell to attract; I mean only that I have certain tastes and feeling in common with him, I must, then, repeat continually that we are forever sundered; and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him.
:sigh:

SPOILER: But what I still don't get about Jane Eyre: why does Mr. Rochester have to be in his final, beaten-down condition in order to be considered an equal to Jane? It gives the impression that whether or not he learned from his mistakes, it is the fact that he has become a different man that either makes him more appealing to Jane, or makes him more suited to her (a woman). If I have to take the feminist perspective.

Now the next thing is to go take the Goodreads Jane Eyre Challenge, for a chance to win a Kindle.  I know, who cares about the Kindle, just go challenge yourself!  I might challenge myself again someday to re-read the book in the Norton edition with whatever enlightening commentary.  Yet another challenge, to avoid buying the edition with the cover posted here... :drool:

2 comments:

  1. I haven't seen the movie or read the book. How would you rate it?

    http://www.magicalurbanfantasyreads.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Except for my 'misunderstanding' explained above, I think Jane Eyre is very worth reading - I loved the romance. Although I have to admit I enjoyed the movie more as this aspect of it was emphasized, and of course with pretty people. I'm a sucker for pretty. But Jane Eyre is a classic so I'm not usually comfortable giving a full review, as I'm not an English lit-major and wouldn't be able to report on the minor details like the bible references, etc. All in all, both are worth your money. :)

    ReplyDelete